First of all, you will not get an AHL team to Youngstown, so lets not waste time on that absolutely ridiculous idea. Also, if you are comparing USHL with the NAHL, that shows how little informed you are. Now, lets establish the argument between USHL and ECHL correctly. To do so, we must first give the ECHL the correct definition - semi-pro hockey. Yes, that's right, players who are paid only during their playing months and must hold jobs during the off-season to support themselves are semi-pro. Not so glamorous, is it? USHL is the same level of hockey like the Major Juniors in Canada (OHL, WHL and QMJHL). You are talking about the highest talent level players who compete for legit shot at the NHL. For 85% of the ECHL players, NHL is not a realistic option. Btw, each of the Junior teams averages over 4,000 fans per home game, which of course didn't happen overnight, but is steady once established, because of the high quality of product on the ice. USHL in Youngstown can and will do the same.
We can make good arguments for either side when it comes to the good each team would mean to the community. ECHL players may come out to the bar and hanging out with you if you're the one buying. Don't forget the local strip joints which would also experience customer increase. On the other hand, the junior players' families who are out of town will come in to watch their kids on almost every weekend, spending money in local hotels and restaurants / bars, and most likely buy the drinks for the local fans instead. The USHL is interested in Youngstown, because we have here an established, financial sound owner who cares about hockey and because they are in process of expending out east. I'd rather see our city and community investing our souls and dollars in something that is growing and has long term future than something that struggles in over 50% of its locations every year, but would give us couple of drunks to hang out with.
USHL chief cites league’s top quality
First of all, you will not get an AHL team to Youngstown, so lets not waste time on that absolutely ridiculous idea. Also, if you are comparing USHL with the NAHL, that shows how little informed you are. Now, lets establish the argument between USHL and ECHL correctly. To do so, we must first give the ECHL the correct definition - semi-pro hockey. Yes, that's right, players who are paid only during their playing months and must hold jobs during the off-season to support themselves are semi-pro. Not so glamorous, is it? USHL is the same level of hockey like the Major Juniors in Canada (OHL, WHL and QMJHL). You are talking about the highest talent level players who compete for legit shot at the NHL. For 85% of the ECHL players, NHL is not a realistic option. Btw, each of the Junior teams averages over 4,000 fans per home game, which of course didn't happen overnight, but is steady once established, because of the high quality of product on the ice. USHL in Youngstown can and will do the same.
We can make good arguments for either side when it comes to the good each team would mean to the community. ECHL players may come out to the bar and hanging out with you if you're the one buying. Don't forget the local strip joints which would also experience customer increase. On the other hand, the junior players' families who are out of town will come in to watch their kids on almost every weekend, spending money in local hotels and restaurants / bars, and most likely buy the drinks for the local fans instead. The USHL is interested in Youngstown, because we have here an established, financial sound owner who cares about hockey and because they are in process of expending out east. I'd rather see our city and community investing our souls and dollars in something that is growing and has long term future than something that struggles in over 50% of its locations every year, but would give us couple of drunks to hang out with.
March 26, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. permalink suggest removal