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Hamilton II: The City, The League, and The Coliseum
This would be nice..Connor McDavid to the Ottors next year, the Ottors to Hamilton the following year.
It's nice to know there is one league that is enthusiastic about a team in Hamilton. Clearly, reading between the lines, if the AHL leaves, the OHL will be in there in the very next second, barring any NHL team coming in obviously...
It's nice to know there is one league that is enthusiastic about a team in Hamilton. Clearly, reading between the lines, if the AHL leaves, the OHL will be in there in the very next second, barring any NHL team coming in obviously...
It's just nice hearing a commissioner actual say the word Hamilton. That other little guy acts like the word Hamilton isn't in his vocabulary.
Than again Toronto would probably threaten to sue if GB says it too often Lol.
Hey zman, as a Sabres STH, I'm wondering what your opinion would be in regards to a Hamilton NHL team.
Would such a team be good for the Sabres if they were in the same division? Would Hamilton games be GOLD games?
If you think a Hamilton franchise would hurt the Sabres, I'm wondering to what degree you think that would be?
Do you have any inkliing what part of Ontario those Canadian Sabres fans are from? Mostly Fort Erie, NF, St Catherine's? How far west do a substantial number of them come from?
(BTW, Go Sabres, Go!. Hope they bump the Caps out of a playoff spot!)
Well, I've always been pro Canadian so maybe I'm not the best person to ask. Since day 1 of existence the Sabres have honored the Canadian National Anthem before home games and I like that. i personally think it would be cool to have Hamilton in the league and our division. I can see the Sabres concern though. WHen the team is good and competitive, they have no problem selling out from people in WNY. When times are lean they definitely need the Canadian fans to buy tickets and help fill the building. I do think the majority of Ontario people coming to games are from south and east of Hamilton. I'm sure you have some from the 'burbs of Toronto especially since many of the Canadian players have so many family/friends from that area. Calgary played here earlier in the year and there were many Flames jerseys in the stands. I have no clue where all these people came from but I assume the Flames, Canucks, Oilers and Jets all have fans in the Golden Horeshoe area. So they come to Buffalo because it's cheaper and easier than Toronto. And Yes, if Hamilton fans were as passionate as Toronto fans, they would absolutely be Gold games...and a lot of fun to attend.
I'm somwhat surprised and gladdened by your response!
Quote:
Originally Posted by zman
Calgary played here earlier in the year and there were many Flames jerseys in the stands. I have no clue where all these people came from but I assume the Flames, Canucks, Oilers and Jets all have fans in the Golden Horeshoe area.
True, but it's hardly limited to Canadian teams. You see l kinds of sweaters, besides Leafs, around here. Bruins, Red Wings, Blackhawks, Penguins, Flyers.
There are all kinds of NHL fans wanting to latch on to a team.
The owner of the Hamilton Bulldogs has opened negotiations with the city to extend his lease at Copps Coliseum for as many as five more years.
As he did so, team owner Michael Andlauer reiterated his position that despite persistent rumours his team will be leaving for Laval, he’s not planning on going anywhere.
“I would think it’s something that could be done relatively quickly,” he says of the new lease deal. “I’m not asking for any concessions.”
HECFI:
Quote:
As you’ll recall, the city is in the midst of a move to have Copps and other HECFI properties operated by a private, outside management company. The acting CEO of the city organization says he’s looking to have the framework of a deal with the Bulldogs in place ready for the new group when it arrives.
But John Hertel acknowledges that any group that takes over is likely going to want to make its own decisions about long-term leases and won’t want to be locked into a long-term deal it didn’t sign. As a result, he says, the current HECFI board can negotiate but probably isn’t in a position to finalize anything.
“We can’t really make any commitments,” Hertel says.
Meaning Andlauer may ultimately end up dealing with a yet-unknown landlord who may or may not want him as an anchor tenant in their building. Or may or may not like the agreement that’s been struck.
Erie Otters:
Quote:
Besides, there are still questions about whether or not the OHL’s Erie Otters could be a factor in this drama. Several weeks ago, a city staff report that never made it to council outlined efforts that could’ve brought the team to Hamilton to play at the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena until Copps came available.
The idea seemed to die off when the team and the Pennsylvania city recently reached an agreement in principle to extend the lease for two years. However, that contract still hasn’t been signed.
Katz\AEG have this deal in the bag because of there pledge to try & bring an NHL. team to Hamilton & don't be surprised after they gain control of HECFI. they try to gain control of the new stadium too.
They appear to have the inside track however, pretty competitive field....
Indeed, they are pretty much the three biggest arena/entertainment managers in North America if I'm not mistaken.
I'm not sure but isn't the Air Canada Centre managed by MLSE? It's quite possible that each of the managing companies want an 'in' to the Southern Ontario market and see this as a big business opportunity. This can only benefit Hamilton no matter who wins....
Ya, MLSE is all in-house. Kinda surprising they didnt bid on the Contract eh Doc?... as if.
But seriously, if they only had the Courage, the Heart, the Brains to do so and welcomed rather than fought a team at Copps they could make out like Bandits....
Indeed, they are pretty much the three biggest arena/entertainment managers in North America if I'm not mistaken.
I'm not sure but isn't the Air Canada Centre managed by MLSE? It's quite possible that each of the managing companies want an 'in' to the Southern Ontario market and see this as a big business opportunity. This can only benefit Hamilton no matter who wins....
Katz\AEG have this deal in the bag because of there pledge to try & bring an NHL. team to Hamilton & don't be surprised after they gain control of HECFI. they try to gain control of the new stadium too.
If I'm not mistaken I believe all interested parties said they would do their best to bring a team here. Katz group being involved has to be a big plus when the city decides.
Sigh... Been searching the interweb for HECFI news....notta.
Although, I can see why there are so many hard hitters wanting to buy HECFI, the Flamborough slots maybe moved to Hamiltons downtown and it seems the new owner gets peice of the pie
Bassin, Otters managing partner and general manager, said Friday he planned to sign the paperwork that night and present it to Casey Wells, the Erie County Convention Center Authority's executive director.
"There's no dramatic moment because I believe it was going to be done anyway," Bassin said Friday at the Bayfront Convention Center
Not unexpected. Whether the Otters stay there two years from now, will depend on the how the affliation arrangement will fare with the Bulldogs. On that front, Andlauer has little faith that the Laval arena will ever be built...
Not unexpected. Whether the Otters stay there two years from now, will depend on the how the affliation arrangement will fare with the Bulldogs. On that front, Andlauer has little faith that the Laval arena will ever be built...
ahh well, guess were stuck with AHL.
got a question about Bulldogs. can they change uniforms themselves or do they have to run that past The Canadiens first? it probably would help if they stopped looking like Montreals uni's.. i say keep the outdoor classic sweaters they were sweat.
It would not surprise me if & when Daryl Katz \ AEG. take over HECFI. & it is a pretty clear that it is solid bet that they will that Katz\AEG.are looking or have already found someone or a group that wants to bring an NHL. team to Hamilton .
ahh well, guess were stuck with AHL.
got a question about Bulldogs. can they change uniforms themselves or do they have to run that past The Canadiens first? it probably would help if they stopped looking like Montreals uni's.. i say keep the outdoor classic sweaters they were sweat.
I think it depends on who owns the franchise. Hamilton is owned by Andluaer so it probably can choose any uniform or colour it wants but I've always been a fan of AHL teams using the colours and striping of their parent club.
As for the outdoor classic sweaters...ewwwww...I think they should wash them first....
