You still would be adding a team to a area that is close enough to the gta.
But, the area of Guelph and Niagara have always had sell outs. How is it bad to piggy back on that success?
You originally where concerned that your are putting a third team near Brampton and Mississuaga...but they are no when near those two rinks...actually very far lol. Did you not know how far Hamilton is from those two rinks?
I just dont see your issues.
Sorry, you just seem to be all over the map here.
Last edited by Tigers1992: 02-24-2012 at 10:37 AM.
Copps Coliseum is 50 km from the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, 53 km from the Hershey Centre, 57 from the Gatecliff in St Catharines, 58 from the Powerade Centre and 62 to the Aud in Kitchener. It's close to all five but not exactly sitting in anyone's backyard.
Hamilton could be a great deal for the OHL. If Copps had 10,000 seats instead of 18,000 they'd probably be one of the great success stories of the OHL - in fact, the Steelhawks probably never would have left in the first place. 700,000 people in the CMA and the only major city in the province without the OHL, plus a long history with the league between the Fincups and the Red Wings. I love going to games in Erie and feel bad for the fans there, but I'd be thrilled to have a team back in Hamilton.
Last edited by Majik1987: 02-24-2012 at 12:59 PM.
Reason: flaming
7,900 posts and not one of them has ever shown any evidence of even knowing that a map exists.
Copps Coliseum is 50 km from the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, 53 km from the Hershey Centre, 57 from the Gatecliff in St Catharines, 58 from the Powerade Centre and 62 to the Aud in Kitchener. It's close to all five but not exactly sitting in anyone's backyard.
Hamilton could be a great deal for the OHL. If Copps had 10,000 seats instead of 18,000 they'd probably be one of the great success stories of the OHL - in fact, the Steelhawks probably never would have left in the first place. 700,000 people in the CMA and the only major city in the province without the OHL, plus a long history with the league between the Fincups and the Red Wings. I love going to games in Erie and feel bad for the fans there, but I'd be thrilled to have a team back in Hamilton.
Ya, Ive seen his posts in the past. Hes Anti-GTA, I get it, but I just wish that we would deal with facts, not throw away statements like 'In their backyard'.
I think that Hamilton is perfectly placed for an OHL team. I think there are better locations, but I cant argue the potential that it has.
Copps bottom lower bowl holds 8-9k dont know the actual number but i know its between 8-9k with the upper bowl its 17-18k... I dought they would use the upper bowl but even if they did sell out the bottom thats still alot of fans for a OHL game
Copps bottom lower bowl holds 8-9k dont know the actual number but i know its between 8-9k with the upper bowl its 17-18k... I dought they would use the upper bowl but even if they did sell out the bottom thats still alot of fans for a OHL game
I posted this elsewhere, but I think the Hamilton OHL team should do the following:
1) Tarp off the high seats in the end zones (lower bowl) leaving the first 10-15 rows open for sale.
2) Get a black curtain, or tarp and along with lowering the jumbotron a fair bit, also create a fake ceiling that makes the place feel like a 8,000 seat arena.
I posted this elsewhere, but I think the Hamilton OHL team should do the following:
1) Tarp off the high seats in the end zones (lower bowl) leaving the first 10-15 rows open for sale.
2) Get a black curtain, or tarp and along with lowering the jumbotron a fair bit, also create a fake ceiling that makes the place feel like a 8,000 seat arena.
They already have a black curtain for the Bulldogs. However as of right now, Bulldogs hold the arena and will only giving it up if Andlauer is unable to secure a new affliation. If the Bulldogs do secure a new affliation, then the ex-Red Wings/Fincups/Steelhawks will probably look to building a new arena.
I should also note that Andlauer has said that if the attempt to get a new affliation fails, he would be interested in buying into the OHL team and moving the Bulldogs identity to the new team. As I said in the BOH, best of both worlds...
The reason i ask is there are some leases that say there has to be a team it doe snot say it has to be a certain league.
From what I understand, the lease stipulates OHL calibre or better...whatever that means. Suppose the lease could be filled with an AHL team...
Also, the earlier message about tens of millions in penalties...that seems a rather inflated exaggeration. The lease, when signed was for 20 years. So, if 1998-99 was the first year, the lease will expire at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season. That leaves six years. My understanding is the lease is in the $300,000 to $400,000 per year range. Can't see it would cost more than 2-3 million to buy it out. Still, a lot of money...
So if Hamilton gets the Otters, I assume they'd move to the Central Division? Who moves out to the Midwest, Sudbury or Barrie?
I doubt any team changes divisions if Hamilton gets the Otters, however, if there were to be some changes I could see Hamilton and Niagara both being in the Midwest with Owen Sound moving to the Central.
As an Attack fan, I wouldn't like to see that but I can't imagine it would work any other way.
Well first off being from Hamilton nothing happens until our City Council votes on it come Monday.. Have already started telling ppl to contact the city council to show our support and honestly u would be surprised at how many emails u get back... I mean that in a good way
Well, for the sake of Radley's reputation Erie BETTER move to Hamilton, the way the article was put forth. It starts right off saying "A city council vote is the only thing standing between Hamilton and a new Ontario Hockey League junior team coming to town."
According to that statement, EVERYTHING else is in place to make it happen. Owner wants to move, an arena in Hamilton wants the team, the OHL has approved it, etc, etc, etc. Everything that needs to be done HAS been done, and the only thing holding it up is a council vote.
I doubt any team changes divisions if Hamilton gets the Otters, however, if there were to be some changes I could see Hamilton and Niagara both being in the Midwest with Owen Sound moving to the Central.
As an Attack fan, I wouldn't like to see that but I can't imagine it would work any other way.
As a Ranger fan, I like our division the way it is. What I would like to see happen is Niagara and the Erie/Hamilton franchise continue to play their extra games against each other. That way, we keep all the divisions the same. There are currently three pairs of teams who play extra games vs teams in the other conference (Soo-Sud, OS-Bar, and ER-Nia). No need to switch the Otters to the eastern conference because of a move to Hamilton. Niagara and Erie would have been put into the same conference when the Icedogs moved to Niagara if it was a big issue.
Currently, the Rangers play their extra games against Guelph and Erie. I'd hope that would stay the same if the Otters move to Hamilton.
However, if you look at the way the divisions are now, each division has a "far-flung" team: West has the Soo, Midwest has Erie, Central has Sudbury, and the East has Ottawa. If Erie moves to Hamilton and the divisions stay the same, the Midwest will have a pretty cushy travel schedule within their division. I'm betting Branch and company find a way to get a "far-flung" team into the Midwest to make all things equal across the league - unless Owen Sound becomes the Midwest's "far-flung" team.
Another thing, I never liked the name "Bulldogs". I was a big fan of the "Steelhawks" name and would hope they'd return to that. Now all they'd have to do is get Bill LaForge back as coach and we can let the circus begin!!!
As long as whatever name they choose, it isn't one of those stupid names without an "s" on the end. Yes, Storm, Attack, Spirit, Sting, and Battalion, I'm talking about about you.
Last edited by EvenSteven: 02-25-2012 at 12:58 PM.
From alot of reports/hearsay out there it seems clear that Melnyk and the Majors are losing their shirts and are way behind in payments to the City of Mississauga. It is clear that they are not going to make it up going forward. If they couldnt make it up, while they had the Mem Cup, they will not succeed in future years.
David Branch has to step in, as it will become a bad public image for the OHL. He was the guy who put brought 2 OHL teams into the league, so close together in respect to location (Brampton and Mississauga), and it will be Branch who will have to fix all problems.
It may be a far stretch, but Branch and the OHL may have to interfere and assist the Majors and their re-location issues and financial obligations to the City of Miss.
Like Tigers1992 was saying, you have to build off success, and if you have suburban/remote teams that are selling out, then go with it. Hamilton will succeed, especially if Bulldogs leave. Even if they dont, then they can share the arena and expenses.
One team in the 905 area code (brampton or Majors) may succeed as they will capture the leaving team's fans. Hey if they can get 3000 fans per game, that would be a great accomplishment for the remaining team.
I believe that Buffalo/Rochester may also succeed. Especially under the ownership of Pagula.
1. Why exactly is there a push for Pegula to get into the OHL and bring it to Buffalo? Doesn't he have enough on his hands with the Sabres and getting Penn State's D1 program up and running? (And, if you look in the ECHL thread, there's a poster asking for Pegs to buy the Jackals. I mean, he can only purchase so many hockey teams. ) Also, the only way Buffalo can succeed(IF they land in the OHL)is if seating is kept to just the First Niagara Center's 100 & 200 levels, with the 300s open as ticket sales warrant. (I do think there's a market for an OHL team as a counterpart to the Sabres-how much, though, is up for debate.)
2. Chewer: There wouldn't BE the problem of 2 teams 10 minutes apart from each other if Don Cherry didn't use Coach's Corner back in the day to complain about getting stiffed by the OHL re not getting a team in Mississauga. Now it's coming back to bite them in the butt.
) Also, the only way Buffalo can succeed(IF they land in the OHL)is if seating is kept to just the First Niagara Center's 100 & 200 levels, with the 300s open as ticket sales warrant. (I do think there's a market for an OHL team as a counterpart to the Sabres-how much, though, is up for debate.)
