I disagree that fans would not be willing to travel here. This would be the only local USHL team in the area. Most youth hockey players hope to play in the USHL to be drafted and/or get a scholarship. I have spoken to a couple of players in different organizations who want to come to see games in the USHL. The team would draw from the Cleveland, Pittsburgh and other surrounding areas. An ECHL team would not have a consistant draw. They may draw some from other towns when we play their nearest rival but that would be it. Also, the parents of the USHL players would be coming in often to see their sons play.
Sorry but I didn't finish my post. So by averaging those two teams, a USHL team averages more attendance. Also, Wheeling is an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins so they should draw a bit better being so close together.
To Jowitwer: You suggested that we "do the number." Okay her are 2 numbers for you. The two closest ECHL teams to us are Wheeling and Johnstown. They average 2838 and 2346 per game respectively. That means by your own number of 2800 fans per game in the USHL they would average more and be a better choice for the Chevy Center.
Hey boardmanneedsachange nice name calling. At least Bruce is willing to make a comittemnet and has the finacial means to do it. How much sense does it make for the Center to have any permanent tenent? It meand that the local tax payer will have to pay for it. Not to worry you will still be able to see Styx play.
As for whistling the battle hymn of the republic out of your rear end for five years, I doubt anyone would pay to see that as I sispect that you have been doing it for years for free.
Boardmanneedsachange It sounds like you are concerned that about the longevity of the team. A 5 year committment is more than others have offered and longer than a lot of marriages. It is longer than what we require the person running for the United States presidency. Whereas I agree that some fans do not have a temendous amount of knowledge about hockey, it is still an entainment first and for most. You will also find these fans at Pittsburgh Penguins games. If you are happier in your house with NHL center ice, then either a semi-pro or USHL team should be no concern to you.
I think it should also be pointed out that the NAHL Phamtoms had very little time to work on marketing this season. The USHL team would have a lot more time so there numbers should be equal or better than the CHL who also had a lot of time prior to the opening game to do marketing. Just a thought.
Certainly a few players have stayed in the area but just because players play here does not mean that they are any more likely to stay than a USHL player coming back here to play. You cited to very unusual examples. Most minor league players only play for a couple of years before they quit and go on to other careers. It is has happened in the past that USHL players have come back to the area they played as well.
USHL will hopefully move on after 2 years. That is longer then most minor league players stay with their teams. They may will not be in bars but they will be in our restaurants and at childrens schools as students and as special guests. I am certain that they will be a lot more events this year getting to know their new communities. The bar is not the only place you can get to know the players.
If you want to see the local economy helped it will come from all the people from Pittsburgh and Cleveland and other local cities coming to see the USHL. Unlike the ECHL and AHL, the USHL does not have any other local competition. All of the young players who hope to have a future in hockey, will want to come and see a game because this is a road that they hope to take in their life. They will most likely eat before the game.
The USHL is not anything like the NAHL. It seems that a lot of people are thinking they are extremely similar. They are not. The USHL has much better hockey than the ECHL does. I think it will surprise many people when they see their first game.
Ytownhockey wrote"chl echl ihl ahl players are all adults that by houses wifes get jobs kids go to schools. they become part of your community."
The players would not buy houses as they are put up in apartments by the team, which is usually in exchange for free advertising. The wives will not get jobs because few people want to hire someone who has to quite as soon as her husband is traded or too hurt to play or the end of the season comes and they go "back home." Not to mention that the unemployment rate really doesn't make it totally possible to find work and most of the players are Canadian so their wives would have to work under the table. Most players stop playing before their children are old enough to go to school as ECHL wages too low to support a family.
The USHL players will be staying with families in the community where they play. They will be there for an entire season. The ones who are in high school go to school here. They are out and about in the community because they are do placed in closets between games. They are the future NHL players.
I love the AHL idea. Let me know if you find one to come here. Hey let's just hold out for an NHL team. Maybe we can see good hockey in 50 years.
Hockey at Chevy remains in limbo
I disagree that fans would not be willing to travel here. This would be the only local USHL team in the area. Most youth hockey players hope to play in the USHL to be drafted and/or get a scholarship. I have spoken to a couple of players in different organizations who want to come to see games in the USHL. The team would draw from the Cleveland, Pittsburgh and other surrounding areas. An ECHL team would not have a consistant draw. They may draw some from other towns when we play their nearest rival but that would be it. Also, the parents of the USHL players would be coming in often to see their sons play.
March 27, 2009 at 10:37 a.m. permalink suggest removal
USHL chief cites league’s top quality
Sorry but I didn't finish my post. So by averaging those two teams, a USHL team averages more attendance. Also, Wheeling is an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins so they should draw a bit better being so close together.
March 26, 2009 at 9:32 p.m. permalink suggest removal
USHL chief cites league’s top quality
To Jowitwer: You suggested that we "do the number." Okay her are 2 numbers for you. The two closest ECHL teams to us are Wheeling and Johnstown. They average 2838 and 2346 per game respectively. That means by your own number of 2800 fans per game in the USHL they would average more and be a better choice for the Chevy Center.
March 26, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. permalink suggest removal
USHL chief cites league’s top quality
Hey boardmanneedsachange nice name calling. At least Bruce is willing to make a comittemnet and has the finacial means to do it. How much sense does it make for the Center to have any permanent tenent? It meand that the local tax payer will have to pay for it. Not to worry you will still be able to see Styx play.
As for whistling the battle hymn of the republic out of your rear end for five years, I doubt anyone would pay to see that as I sispect that you have been doing it for years for free.
March 26, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. permalink suggest removal
USHL chief cites league’s top quality
Boardmanneedsachange It sounds like you are concerned that about the longevity of the team. A 5 year committment is more than others have offered and longer than a lot of marriages. It is longer than what we require the person running for the United States presidency. Whereas I agree that some fans do not have a temendous amount of knowledge about hockey, it is still an entainment first and for most. You will also find these fans at Pittsburgh Penguins games. If you are happier in your house with NHL center ice, then either a semi-pro or USHL team should be no concern to you.
March 26, 2009 at 3:59 p.m. permalink suggest removal
USHL chief cites league’s top quality
I think it should also be pointed out that the NAHL Phamtoms had very little time to work on marketing this season. The USHL team would have a lot more time so there numbers should be equal or better than the CHL who also had a lot of time prior to the opening game to do marketing. Just a thought.
March 26, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. permalink suggest removal
USHL chief cites league’s top quality
Certainly a few players have stayed in the area but just because players play here does not mean that they are any more likely to stay than a USHL player coming back here to play. You cited to very unusual examples. Most minor league players only play for a couple of years before they quit and go on to other careers. It is has happened in the past that USHL players have come back to the area they played as well.
USHL will hopefully move on after 2 years. That is longer then most minor league players stay with their teams. They may will not be in bars but they will be in our restaurants and at childrens schools as students and as special guests. I am certain that they will be a lot more events this year getting to know their new communities. The bar is not the only place you can get to know the players.
If you want to see the local economy helped it will come from all the people from Pittsburgh and Cleveland and other local cities coming to see the USHL. Unlike the ECHL and AHL, the USHL does not have any other local competition. All of the young players who hope to have a future in hockey, will want to come and see a game because this is a road that they hope to take in their life. They will most likely eat before the game.
The USHL is not anything like the NAHL. It seems that a lot of people are thinking they are extremely similar. They are not. The USHL has much better hockey than the ECHL does. I think it will surprise many people when they see their first game.
March 26, 2009 at 12:34 p.m. permalink suggest removal
USHL chief cites league’s top quality
Ytownhockey wrote"chl echl ihl ahl players are all adults that by houses wifes get jobs kids go to schools. they become part of your community."
The players would not buy houses as they are put up in apartments by the team, which is usually in exchange for free advertising. The wives will not get jobs because few people want to hire someone who has to quite as soon as her husband is traded or too hurt to play or the end of the season comes and they go "back home." Not to mention that the unemployment rate really doesn't make it totally possible to find work and most of the players are Canadian so their wives would have to work under the table. Most players stop playing before their children are old enough to go to school as ECHL wages too low to support a family.
The USHL players will be staying with families in the community where they play. They will be there for an entire season. The ones who are in high school go to school here. They are out and about in the community because they are do placed in closets between games. They are the future NHL players.
I love the AHL idea. Let me know if you find one to come here. Hey let's just hold out for an NHL team. Maybe we can see good hockey in 50 years.
March 26, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. permalink suggest removal