14 replies to this topic

[minor life]

A while back I mentioned Denver would have a AA team next season in the CHL. The team was approved for membership a year ago. Now the question is do they stick to that or join the rest jumping to the ECHL http://www.denverpos...rts/ci_19924892

[artie fufkin]

Regardless of what league this team plays in, this sounds like a horrible idea.

[Avsrule_2002]

When they have less than 2000 in the seats at the Colliseum, the place will feel like a morgue. Someone in Denver must be real interested in losing money. Once the newness wears off, it will be worse than the Broomfield experiment with the Rage.

[Drake8]

Unless something major happens they will not e in the ECHL and if they are thy will not be the grizzlies

1. the eagles have already destroyed 1 franchise that was to close to them. Why would this be different

2 if it happened they will not be named the grizzlies the echl already has the Utah grizzlies which moved from Denver

3 there is an NHL team in denver

4 the ECHL for the most part try's to stay away from aging arenas such as Dayton and Denver

[StingrayFan]

minor life, on 09 February 2012 - 06:59 AM, said:

A while back I mentioned Denver would have a AA team next season in the CHL. The team was approved for membership a year ago. Now the question is do they stick to that or join the rest jumping to the ECHL http://www.denverpos...rts/ci_19924892

Quote

While details are being ironed out — including a copyright battle over the Grizzlies name and what minor pro league it might join

Utah Grizzlies of course. No word on which league yet...Hmm

Quote

Before the new Grizzlies team is finalized, territorial contract agreements must be ironed out with the Colorado Eagles of the East Coast Hockey League, but sources termed the issues as minor.

Don't territorial contract agreements only apply when joining the same league? Hmm

[Miracle on Vanrick]

If indeed it is an ECHL team I do not expect them to play next fall. The ECHL seems to run a tight ship when it comes to expansion franchises starting up. It seems as if it is almost an unwritten rule that you must have at least one year under your belt to build up the franchise in the community before they even take the ice. IE. Chicago, Orlando, and San Francisco in recent years.

[minor life]

This is a CHL franchise that was approved last summer. I just posed the question on the remote chance they would jump to the ECHL with a few others. The CHL looks like it will be back with up to 8 teams now from what we are hearing. Komets, Icemen, Mavs, Rush, for sure to ECHL. Some teams will most likely just go dark. Dayton and Bloomington will either go FHL or just go away. QC is getting hard looks from the USHL as a temporary home for Indy. The only problem possible is the franchise fee for the ECHL. If the CHL teams take a hard line approach with the ECHL, they might just be forced to stay in the CHL.

[hockeypalooza]

minor life, on 11 February 2012 - 09:52 AM, said:

This is a CHL franchise that was approved last summer. I just posed the question on the remote chance they would jump to the ECHL with a few others. The CHL looks like it will be back with up to 8 teams now from what we are hearing. Komets, Icemen, Mavs, Rush, for sure to ECHL. Some teams will most likely just go dark. Dayton and Bloomington will either go FHL or just go away. QC is getting hard looks from the USHL as a temporary home for Indy. The only problem possible is the franchise fee for the ECHL. If the CHL teams take a hard line approach with the ECHL, they might just be forced to stay in the CHL.

If all this happens as you say, and the CHL comes back with 8 teams, then that means that AZ, RGV, Laredo and Texas all come back, too, plus this team in Denver. It would be:
TUL
WIC
RGV
ALN
DEN
AZ
TEX
LAR

That would be a pretty weak league, and I can't imagine it would last more than a year or two.

[minor life]

Weak league or not, some teams were denied NAHL expansion and have no other option but to continue or or fold. Years ago, the CHL was a small league in Texas that not many people even knew existed. The reduction in AA teams will actually boost the level of talent throughout the survivors and through Single A. The CHL should stick to western expansion. The best hope for their survival is to break the union, lower their salary cap and carve out their niche markets. They can not compete with the ECHL, and shouldnt try. The lable of "AA" hockey is determined by salary cap at this point and not by level of play.

[HeScores]

minor life, on 11 February 2012 - 09:52 AM, said:

QC is getting hard looks from the USHL as a temporary home for Indy.

Is Indy moving up, folding or whats going on that QC would take Indy's USHL team? I pray Indy is heading for the ECHL....please tell me that even if it's not true....lol

[aceface905]

HeScores, on 11 February 2012 - 05:57 PM, said:

minor life, on 11 February 2012 - 09:52 AM, said:

QC is getting hard looks from the USHL as a temporary home for Indy.

Is Indy moving up, folding or whats going on that QC would take Indy's USHL team? I pray Indy is heading for the ECHL....please tell me that even if it's not true....lol

The Coliseum is going to be spending the next couple years undergoing renovations, along with the rest of the State Fair complex.

[minor life]

No way Indy is getting pro hockey in the next few years. The AA level is probably close to finishing the "correction" in growth that took place in the 1990's and early 2000's.

[HeScores]

I see, Is the USHL team successful? or is there a possibility that they may go pro in Indy again once the renovations are complete?

Edited by HeScores, 12 February 2012 - 12:37 AM.

[hockeypalooza]

Indy's USHL team is pretty dang successful. They had 11,949 at their game on Friday night at Banker's Life Fieldhouse. Granted, this is their "special" venue for this game, but still. Back in their regular arena, they drew 4,600 last night. I think they are 2nd in the standings.

http://www.indystar....xt%7CSports%7Cp

Edited by hockeypalooza, 12 February 2012 - 02:08 PM.

[HeScores]

Wow, I don't remember what the IHL Ice used to draw but i bet it was about the same or less. Well can't see them making a move cause they are the Franke's of the USHL and probably making tons of money...
If memory serves, the owner of the Ic bought the team so his son could play there or something is that correct? but surely his son has moved on by now...if that is true

Edited by HeScores, 13 February 2012 - 02:06 AM.