17 replies to this topic

[Komets39]

http://nscontent.new...gn-chl-10-years

[minor life]

This certainly fits in with my earlier post. Look for Bloomy to be back as well, although I doubt a 10 year agreement is in order.

[HeScores]

Y would any team commit to a league for 10 yrs? Whats the upside compared to just 3-5 yrs?

[Chaulker]

They are giving them money to operate? They don't want to lose the little hold they have in the midwest?

Probably to keep Missouri and Rapid City in the CHL and show that they are committed to growing the CHL?

[hockeypalooza]

Who knows. The CHL might not do anything less than 10 years. And we don't know any of the other terms, either. As in: is this the same exact type of agreement that Missouri, Rapid City and others signed? Do they have an "out" clause? Etc.

[Gibbie42]

From what I understand the standard franchise agreement is 10 years with a punitive out clause. Bloomington likely already has a 10 year deal that they signed last year. Remember, the current Blaze are a CHL franchise, they're not the IHL franchise. The Mavericks and the Rush both operate under the same kind of 10 year contract. Despite what we've been hearing, I doubt either teams leaves the CHL this year.

[artie fufkin]

Gibbie42, on 22 March 2012 - 06:06 AM, said:

From what I understand the standard franchise agreement is 10 years with a punitive out clause. Bloomington likely already has a 10 year deal that they signed last year. Remember, the current Blaze are a CHL franchise, they're not the IHL franchise. The Mavericks and the Rush both operate under the same kind of 10 year contract. Despite what we've been hearing, I doubt either teams leaves the CHL this year.

That's exactly it. They simply announced that the Mallards are now officially a CHL franchise and are no longer an IHL franchise operating in the CHL. By no means does it guarantee there will be hockey in QC for the next 10 years; but, they're not going to be able to go to another league without paying a significant penalty.

[hockeypalooza]

artie fufkin, on 22 March 2012 - 07:08 AM, said:

Gibbie42, on 22 March 2012 - 06:06 AM, said:

From what I understand the standard franchise agreement is 10 years with a punitive out clause. Bloomington likely already has a 10 year deal that they signed last year. Remember, the current Blaze are a CHL franchise, they're not the IHL franchise. The Mavericks and the Rush both operate under the same kind of 10 year contract. Despite what we've been hearing, I doubt either teams leaves the CHL this year.

That's exactly it. They simply announced that the Mallards are now officially a CHL franchise and are no longer an IHL franchise operating in the CHL. By no means does it guarantee there will be hockey in QC for the next 10 years; but, they're not going to be able to go to another league without paying a significant penalty.

Unless they put in an "out" clause like the Eagles had. For example, they could have put in a clause that says if there are not “X” many teams within “Y” miles, they have an out. Or if the CHL doesn't have at least "X" many teams, they have an out. I’m not saying they DID negotiate this kind of thing, but they could have. It would have been smart.

[minor life]

More important than the length of the agreement is the timing of the announcement and the fact that an agreement is done. The junior rumor circulating had to influence the timing. I see this not only as an announcment of QC being locked up, but as a commitment to pro hockey from QC and the CHL. In no way does this mean that everything is rosey in the CHL, but it does tend to lend an air of "we are going to create stability". Does this influence Bloomy? I cant see how it would not. If Dayton does go to St. Charles, it would tighten things up for travel a little. Two hours of drive time is not that great a deal, but it does influence the other western cities in their travel decisions. I think now that the CHL has one linch pin, Laredo. If Laredo sticks it out the league should be fine.

[Mr Ricochet]

minor life, on 22 March 2012 - 08:52 AM, said:

More important than the length of the agreement is the timing of the announcement and the fact that an agreement is done. The junior rumor circulating had to influence the timing. I see this not only as an announcment of QC being locked up, but as a commitment to pro hockey from QC and the CHL. In no way does this mean that everything is rosey in the CHL, but it does tend to lend an air of "we are going to create stability".

Yep, yep and indeed!!!........... I don't like the idea of signing for 10 years and painting yourself into a corner, unless of course as is being mentioned you have significant out clauses. But this tells QC fans there will be no junior hockey, and IMO that's the purpose of this press release.

These fans have been put through the hockey ringer for 5-6 years, and giving them the feeling of stability is a smart move. Assuming QC has multiple out clauses, I love this announcement.

[minor life]

Daytonprosports.com is now reporting the Gems announced they need new investors to continue next year. This is the last effort to keep them in Dayton. If new investors are not found look for a "going dark" announcement followed shortly by a sale and move to St. Charles announcement. If the move to St. Charles happens, look for an NAHL relocation or FHL team.

[kwey24]

The complicating factor with Dayton is the potential new arena in West Carrollton. Now, I haven't followed where things are at with that, but if it came to fruition as described, it would be an arena that has USHL written all over it (and possibly FHL or respectable Single-A league). The parameters of the feasibility study to be conducted were on the basis of a 4,000 seat arena. That's too small for Double-A hockey in my opinion. Absolutely no room for potential necessary growth (I'm someone who says attendance of 4,000 is necessary for Double-A hockey). Would the location of such an arena in West Carrollton make USHL hockey feasible? I don't know. (Remember, USHL hockey requires at least 3,000, and we all read recently that Indiana is losing money and they average over 3,000--but announced attendance isn't always paid attendance, and sometimes costs in different arenas are higher).

This uncertainty, to me, is why FHL (or Single-A hockey) in Dayton makes the most sense. I just don't see an NAHL team garnering enough support to make it (plus, there is uncertainty with a lot of the current NAHL teams in the region). Said it before and I'll say it again, markets like Wheeling, Johnstown, Flint, Port Huron, Erie, and Youngstown belong in some sort of Single-A league. Once you get some of these markets involved, markets like Roanoke and Richmond quickly come into proximity (and maybe Huntington someday, or Charleston, WV, if they ever got the facility). The aforementioned markets do not enough attendance, historically, for a USHL team, and I think NAHL would struggle to take hold, but reputably run Single-A hockey in actual all-purpose arenas could work over time, especially with the contraction of Double-A hockey (meaning, the caliber of hockey increases). Whether at Hara or a new arena in West Carrollton, my preference is for Dayton to have Single-A hockey, but I don't doubt the USHL would try. This would be a Single-A league operating out of actual arenas and you keep the geographic footprint small. Do your best to make the model break even at 1,500 fans or no greater than 2,000 fans, this way owners wouldn't lose money hand over foot if they only got 1,500.

I think it can be done. One thing that could help is if the league/teams pulled together to standardize a lot of things and thus allow them to buy in bulk together, you could limit costs some. Might also be a way to attract noteworthy sponsors/partners to the league. Minor life might be able to comment on what degree various insurances (particularly health insurance for players) could be pooled together on a league-wide basis. Maybe it's not possible. Anything to help lower costs but still operate on a professional level. I don't like hearing rumors about players getting paid in poker chips and players being SOL after suffering career-ending injuries.

I like junior hockey, but enough is enough. I don't want to see junior hockey totally watered down and with the players having very few options after juniors or college. I'd prefer Germany not have more Oberliga teams than we have Single-A teams (to say nothing of Regionalliga teams, which is the fourth tier of German hockey and the last rung I'd consider minor pro or, perhaps more accurately, semi-pro). I know population density allows certain things in Europe that are not possible here, but, still.

[Mr Ricochet]

kwey24, on 22 March 2012 - 02:47 PM, said:

I like junior hockey, but enough is enough. I don't want to see junior hockey totally watered down and with the players having very few options after juniors or college.

Great post as always Kwey, but the above stands out the most. I think we have past the time where Jr hockey is the answer to every hockey woe in every city. If this level isn't watered down by now it will be in about 5 minutes.

About A level pro in the Midwest. Where are we as far as a league with solid leadership and realistic long term goals? Cuz I'm in the camp that the Flints, Daytons and Johnstowns of the world are perfect for A pro. But as we all know you can have plenty of cities who fit a profile, but absent of solid leadership at the league level failure is certain.

[RemembertheBombers]

minor life, on 22 March 2012 - 12:54 PM, said:

Daytonprosports.com is now reporting the Gems announced they need new investors to continue next year. This is the last effort to keep them in Dayton. If new investors are not found look for a "going dark" announcement followed shortly by a sale and move to St. Charles announcement. If the move to St. Charles happens, look for an NAHL relocation or FHL team.

That's a story that seems to be getting legs in a hurry. Shades of three years ago when the Bombers packed it in??

[illini thunder-blaze]

Dan Angell/QC Times

Mallards' fate tied to Indiana franchises

http://qctimes.com/s...19bb2963f4.html

[hockeypalooza]

Angell can't even get the # of goals right in game articles. I'm not sure I'd trust his opinion about something as mathematically complex as travel costs.

I miss DeVrieze, badly.

Edited by hockeypalooza, 23 March 2012 - 12:49 PM.

[Mr Ricochet]

hockeypalooza, on 23 March 2012 - 12:48 PM, said:

I miss DeVrieze, badly.

Where is he?

[hockeypalooza]

Mr Ricochet, on 23 March 2012 - 11:52 PM, said:

hockeypalooza, on 23 March 2012 - 12:48 PM, said:

I miss DeVrieze, badly.

Where is he?

I think DeVrieze retired from (or may have just left) the Times and now is teaching at St. Ambrose University in Davenport.

I really didn't understand the point of that article. Travel costs are important, yes, but that is not what is ultimately going to make or break the Mallards. How well the organization is run, how much they win, and if the community buys back into the team are just 3 things off the top of my head that are all more important than travel costs. If the Mallards are worrying about travel costs in, say, 2-3 years, then they've probably failed.

Angell has been pretty disappointing. Last weekend he reported that Matt Duffy had returned to the Mallards lineup, after being out for a few games when his fiance had a baby. Duffy actually didn't even dress for the game, and didn't appear in a game the rest of the season. Angell must not have even looked at the box score. The reason Duffy was out so long is because the baby had some health issues (but I hear is out of the hospital and now is doing better). So reporting Duffy was back in the lineup was a pretty bad thing to screw up at that time, in my opinion.