So, two NHL teams have pulled their affiliation out of Johnstown this summer. Given the fact that they were in danger in April, and their majority owner Neil Smith may soon be named GM of the Florida Panthers, I don't think it's unreasonable to wonder out loud if they might fold before the start of the season. Smith claims to be putting the house in order, but what if it's not adding up?
I don't think they'll fold before the season unless the Roustan Group's unpaid debts come back to haunt them, but after this season, I'd bet that they are done unless they find a new sucker to lose $300K per year.
Considering the team hasn't made money since the first few years (if ever), no smart businessman is going to buy in unless he has tonnes of money to lose.
Unfortunately, the team is already the laughingstock of the ECHL. Without affiliates, they won't be able to bring in too many good players who are going to stay. I predict a last place finish, possibly rivaling the Huntington Blizzard's epic season of fail.
The Hanson Brothers helped saved The Chiefs in 1977
In 2002 the Hanson Brothers saved The Chiefs from Richmond Claremont after they won the lottery and bought it back
And in 2008 they helped create the Jr Chiefs!
I think Slap Shot teaches us alot, ask the Hansons for help and play some hard hitting, old time hockey to get people to come back to the games!!!
At the ECHL level, affiliations have far more to do with marginal differences in standings finish than they have to do with the business viability of the team.
As CrazyEddie says, I'd worry far more about Roustan's financial picture than I would the affiliation situation.
At the ECHL level, affiliations have far more to do with marginal differences in standings finish than they have to do with the business viability of the team.
Hans, I'd have to question that statement given that all of the Kelly Cup champions in the past 5 seasons all had NHL affiliations.
At the ECHL level, affiliations have far more to do with marginal differences in standings finish than they have to do with the business viability of the team.
As CrazyEddie says, I'd worry far more about Roustan's financial picture than I would the affiliation situation.
Columbus specifically cited Johnstown's lack of financial stability as a reason for pulling their affiliation.
Hans, I'd have to question that statement given that all of the Kelly Cup champions in the past 5 seasons all had NHL affiliations.
Perhaps I wasn't clear. The on-ice performance of a specific team marginally depends on the specific NHL affiliation (or lack thereof). The business performance of a specific team has very little to do with an affiliation or lack thereof.
As to your challenge, pelts, take the last 10 years, and compare the percentage of affiliated Kelly Cup winners with the percentage of teams OVERALL with affiliations... and you've got at least one unaffiliated team winning the cup, if I'm not mistaken (making at least 10%), with far fewer than 10% of ECHL teams overall being completely unaffiliated through that time (again, if I'm not mistaken).
Holly, I'm sure the ECHL announcers that you talk to would be willing to tell you that Johnstown is a total joke. The town has no corporate base to support the team, season ticket holders are dying off (literally) every season due to Johnstown's aging population and brain drain, and the rink is a dump and maintained about as well as a thruway rest stop (if not worse). If not for suckers who see the nostalgia in "Jingletown" (which apparently is disrespectful to say) and buy the team and pour hundreds of thousands of dollars in on an annual basis, Johnstown would be teamless.
Did I mention that most of the fans are the racist rednecks that Congressman John Murtha (D-Johnstown) described when he talked about the kind of people that live in Western Pennsylvania? Max Boisclair scored a point in 14 consecutive games the season he played there, and got showered with the n-word and had bananas thrown at him by his own team's fans. What a joke.
Oh, and another thing, Johnstown's fans will tell you they deserve a team due to the history that pro hockey has there, but unfortunately, history and economics are two different things. Johnstown's time in pro hockey has passed, and when this team goes, no one will miss it. The War Memorial will still be there for people to take pictures of...
Holly, I'm sure the ECHL announcers that you talk to would be willing to tell you that Johnstown is a total joke. The town has no corporate base to support the team, season ticket holders are dying off (literally) every season due to Johnstown's aging population and brain drain, and the rink is a dump and maintained about as well as a thruway rest stop (if not worse). If not for suckers who see the nostalgia in "Jingletown" (which apparently is disrespectful to say) and buy the team and pour hundreds of thousands of dollars in on an annual basis, Johnstown would be teamless.
Did I mention that most of the fans are the racist rednecks that Congressman John Murtha (D-Johnstown) described when he talked about the kind of people that live in Western Pennsylvania? Max Boisclair scored a point in 14 consecutive games the season he played there, and got showered with the n-word and had bananas thrown at him by his own team's fans. What a joke.
Oh, and another thing, Johnstown's fans will tell you they deserve a team due to the history that pro hockey has there, but unfortunately, history and economics are two different things. Johnstown's time in pro hockey has passed, and when this team goes, no one will miss it. The War Memorial will still be there for people to take pictures of...
I don't know what your agenda is against Johnstown.
As somebody who attended games regularly when Boisclair was in town, I can tell you that neither were true, especially the second (not that one is less offensive the other). I think a banana-tossing incident would have definitely made the news.....had it happened.
From what I remember of him, his skating was terrible (below-average at best), but he had an above-average shot and some decent hands - at least when compared to the ECHL level. I've also heard stories of him having a bad attitude, thinking that he was above the ECHL.
Holly, I'm sure the ECHL announcers that you talk to would be willing to tell you that Johnstown is a total joke. The town has no corporate base to support the team, season ticket holders are dying off (literally) every season due to Johnstown's aging population and brain drain, and the rink is a dump and maintained about as well as a thruway rest stop (if not worse). If not for suckers who see the nostalgia in "Jingletown" (which apparently is disrespectful to say) and buy the team and pour hundreds of thousands of dollars in on an annual basis, Johnstown would be teamless.
Funny you should mention how disrespectful it is to say Jingletown. Nailers ownership called Johnstown "Jingletown" in their new ownership press conference.
Did I mention that most of the fans are the racist rednecks that Congressman John Murtha (D-Johnstown) described when he talked about the kind of people that live in Western Pennsylvania? Max Boisclair scored a point in 14 consecutive games the season he played there, and got showered with the n-word and had bananas thrown at him by his own team's fans. What a joke.
Wow. Proof? I absolutely don't believe that something like that could happen in this country without it becoming a major media ****storm, and rightfully so.
I don't know what your agenda is against Johnstown.
As somebody who attended games regularly when Boisclair was in town, I can tell you that neither were true, especially the second (not that one is less offensive the other). I think a banana-tossing incident would have definitely made the news.....had it happened.
From what I remember of him, his skating was terrible (below-average at best), but he had an above-average shot and some decent hands - at least when compared to the ECHL level. I've also heard stories of him having a bad attitude, thinking that he was above the ECHL.
What you say about Boisclair is true, Unfortunatly in 07-08 Martinson traded for him in late February.
Any word on the future of Johnstown? Hearing the NAHL is very possible.
The authority that runs the arena approved the NAHL to start negotiating a deal... was going to be the Wenatchee team relocated, but their move to the BCHL was rejected, so Wenatchee's staying in the NAHL another year. Supposed to be another franchise getting moved, I forget which one was being talked about though. Relevant article here...
The one that I keep hearing tossed around is the St. Louis Bandits. The organization is good and if the staff moves to Johnstown with the franchise they will have a good starting basis.
Is there a reason why Johnstown didn't push for USHL (which is a better and MUCH more stable league overall compared to the NAHL) instead? Youngstown would appear to be a great rival for a USHL entry in Johnstown.
Does the USHL have an arena size/condition requirement?
The NAHL, IMO, seems a bit "bush" leagueish...would the coalies in Western PA care for it?
