The Midwest Hockey League is adding a Fort Wayne franchise for the 2009-10 season at McMillen Park Ice Arena. The Class A-level minor league starts the season in November with teams in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.
"We are very encouraged to be able to place a franchise in Fort Wayne," MWHL President Wade Stuckey said. "Fort Wayne may well be the best minor league city in America. We realize that with proper scheduling and with greater possibilities for local players, there are plenty of fans in this city. At our price point, there are definitely enough hockey dollars for both organizations to flourish in Fort Wayne. We are very encouraged."
Mike DeLong has been named the team's general manager after previously holding the same position with the Findlay Freedom of the former North East Hockey League.
The Fort W
Comments
Do I see another Affiliate?
Please no names on par with "Tin Caps"! LOL. But that is exciting news. I guess the families of hockey fans in this city will have to start waving goodbye to their loved ones in October from now on.
Eh... What am I thinking? They already had to do that!
I miss the Fort Wayne Huggy Bears
How about the IceCaps
Nothing wrong with TinCaps......
My question is, will they schedule on nights the Komets are not playing. If not, they really are not getting a crowd. Inless someone doesn't want to see exciting hockey for 10 bucks. I do hope its worth going though. I don't miss one Komets game inless I am out of town. That will just help my hockey fix in the winter.
mwhl.co is a company in England. Did some searching and that email should be info@themwhl.com.
Also seems to be more then one "Midwest Hockey League" and the web site for this league shows only two teams, Fort Wayne and the Madison Ice Muskies. The web site is at www.themwhl.com.
I wonder if the Ice Muskies plan to compete for fans against the Madison Blues who play in a league that looks remarkably like what the Midwest League is trying to be or perhaps the Blues folded and Madison now has the Muskies?
Anyway, I wish them luck and I'm sorry for the questions I brought up. Maybe someone has time to do a bit of research on this, sorry I don't right now.
Thanks for the correction, Steve. If any of those messages go through, I'm sure there will be some very confused Brits out there. LOL.
I've thought about this for a day and I think it is just a poor idea. I'm real sure that this will have no affect at all on the K's but I don't understand why they want to do this. It is destined to fail. After the "curiosity factor" is over the stands will be empty. If you need a hockey fix that bad-go see a beer league game.
I just think it's a bit much for a town the size of Fort Wayne. The K's have a long tradition and have been through a lot to get all of their fans and keep them in the seats. Not sure this will really catch on.
I'd agree except that Komet games are just so expensive to attend -- and I'm only buying one ticket. I'm assuming that this new team will charge a lot less. In these difficult economic times, there are probably a lot of people with families who would like to see professional hockey but would be left out in the cold without a more affordable option.
Don't forget one thing about families, 5 out of 6 in our house don't go for just the hockey, at that level and at mcmillen my guess is it will be a hockey only entertainment package
Aren't the upper level tickets $10 or $12? Will this team be much cheaper than that?
How about Fort Wayne Folders?
I don't know about other people, but I can't see diddly from the MC cheap seats, not to mention that I'm battling vertigo through the entire first period. But I suppose there is something to be said for being able to watch an entire hockey game without turning your head. :P
I figure the price will be about the same as a B2 game, somewhere around $8.00 or so. I'm not saying I will never attend a game but it is unlikely. I really can't afford to support two teams unless I drop my Komet season tickets and that's not going to happen.
I got my hockey fix today, I went to the 3 on 3 tournament. Yeah, it was fun.
Blake,
Have you heard anything about troubles in Quad City? Is there any reason, maybe this, as to why they have no players signed and no Coach? I know the GM is on a leave of absence, and they might find another GM, but this new development looks odd.
http://qctimes.com/sports/hockey/professional/minor/article_e4a771f8-7f13-11de-8db5-001cc4c03286.html
Thanks,
Hit Somebody!!!
I had heard they had a coach lined up and were just waiting for the paperwork. Other than that, no clue. We'll just have to follow the QC papers.
so is this new team going to play madison 72 times this year? why didnt they just join the already set up aahl that has teams in chicago and michigan? i saw some games in findlay and there might have been 50 people there, some of the players had to drive in from canada on the weekend for games and you never knew who would show up for the games and they had to drive there own cars for travel. this team, if it even does happen will not affect the ks whatsoever.
It would affect them if they make them an affiliate at some point.
Would someone announce to the Flint and Quad City people that it is alright to announce their coaches and player signings. Maybe they don't understand that this needs to be done before their training camps. Oh no, I just had a thought, maybe we'll have to explain what a training camp is too. Oh boy, oh boy , oh boy.
According to their website, the cost of a game in Madison is $8 adult, $6 senior/student/public sector, $4 children. A 4-ticket family package is $20.
A 15-game flex pack is $115 for adults, $50 students, $30 children.
Cheaper than a movie.
I hope Flint and Port Huron make some news sometime soon. Now that the Komets seem to have all the big things taken care of, there's not too much riling people up, and I don't think this new minor minor minor league team is firing too many up at this point.
flint has gave Zehr an offer.
We should tell them it's alright to go ahead and announce those things? Oh, okay. They were just keeping all that a secret from everyone just to see how we'd react, but since you've brought it up, they'll go ahead and do it now. LOL.
As for the new minor league, I'm getting the feeling that people are viewing them as competition for the K's, when in fact, I'm pretty sure they are hoping to eventually be working in conjunction with the team. It would be interesting if they can help develop more local players, too. I'm willing to wait and see how it all comes together. And if those prices hold true, it's a good deal to boot.
Sorry Wendy. I just thought that maybe they were waiting on someone to give them permission to get started. If they were, I just thought I'd help out.
Maybe both are in no position to announce anything, which to me, is worry-some.
What's with the SORRYs? Is everyone turning British all of a sudden? LOL. I was just kidding with you because it reminded me of the way companies will send friendly little notices that you should go ahead and pay your late bill NOW. Oh, okay. I'll just use the secret store of cash I was hiding from everyone. :P
Hey, if you've hit the lottery, remember to tip your friends and waitresses....and I'm the former, not the latter....LOL! ;)