``I can't comment on it much yet because the IHL has lease rights up there, and all that stuff has to be disseminated over the next week or so. I would assume we'll have some kind of statement sometime in the next couple of days.
``I think with a team leaving the league, that's always a negative thing. We have been and are working on other things for the future, too. It's not as devastating as it might have been a couple of years ago. It's not something we wanted to see happen, but with almost 20 percent unemployment rate up in that county, it was just a matter of time before a decision of this nature would have to be made. Their attendance over the last two, three years, has been pretty consistent, but to provide this level of entertainment, that's not enough. They are usually in first or second place every year, and that costs money. I think it became evident to the owners that 2,800 people a game wasn't getting it done for them."
Comments
Everytime he makes a statement, I cant help but remember Frank Dreben standing in front of the exploding fireworks factory telling everyone to 'move along, nothing to see here...move along, move along....."
I can't believe that loosing Kzoo last year and now Muskegon is not devastating to the league. If Muskegon can't make it go how in the world can Flint sustain an organization? If the leauge had 10 to 12 teams in it then perhaps Muskegon folding would not be as bad, but this will affect QC and their ownership group and trying to rush in Evansville in will be more risky than what they did with Dayton.
I agree, Shane, but that's kind of the point -- who do you end up playing? What's a better option out there right now from a business standpoint? I don't know because I don't think any of these other leagues are in any better economic shape right now.
I am sure there all suffering to some degree which happens every year in minor league sports all across the nation. While logic tells you that Minor league hockey needs to reorganize, I think that too many "egos" are involved and you will continue to see the revolving door at all levels of minor league hockey. While I totally understand why the Frankes wanted the IHL to have a footprint, the lost of Kzoo and Muskegon will have a greater affect on Flint and Port Huron. I would like to see the IHL or those teams that would want to merge into the ECHL. The ECHL has a long history in Minor League Hockey and while it maybe no better off with $$$ and "stable" organizations there is more positives with the ECHL at this point. And you have a "footprint" with Kzoo, Toledo, and Cincy. If you look at the American Division of the ECHL it is similiar to the UHL of 3 years ago. But that is my opinion and I don't know all the economics of running a minor league hockey team. Part of it is perception. Sorry for the rambling it has been a long day and I am tired...
I wonder if the statement will come "in the next couple of days" or "by the end of next week" like it did all summer?
I'd say 7 to 10 days....at least. LOL
I smell something new coming next season all together. I think Blake gave us our clue.
They are probably trying to decide which vague and generalized statement, that doesnt answer any questions what-so-ever, to dust off and feed the public to be washed down with by some ice cold orange koolaid...lol
I know a Hockey Professor that will buy it, I am sure he is loving tonights blog points.....
LOL... I'm sure we're bruising some delicate pysche's with our realistic IHL/hockey discussion tonight, Hit....
Hey Nellie.....where is Positive Patty and Burpee tonight? They must be over at JungleMonkeys helping him dust off his shirt and tie, I heard a rumor that JM is the new PR guy for an up and coming Midwestern Town's hockey team joining a known league to these parts.......
I heard opening night that they are selling dollar foo foos and 2.50 fruitcakes to the first 5 redheads that step into the penalty box with Dennis......or something like that. Any truth to that rumor JM?
Hit, I could probably get my above ground pool ready for IHL hockey by next season and would only charge your team 10,000 grand a night for rent... Could probably sit around 500 if we utilized the roof's and tree's around my place and people would have to bring thier own lawn chairs to sit in the premium yard seats... How's that sound??? That way with Evansville and the Aboite Antagonists we could help keep the IHL running for another year...
:)
Have to find some humor in all of this or I would break down and cry for minor league hockey..... :(
Don't forget the Waynedale Warthogs and the New Haven Negative Nellies. They are in next season too. The New IHL....or IHL3 has an even better geographical footprint, it is all in Allen County so travel is next to nothing. How about the South Town Super Fans......Roanoke RedHeads??? The Dupont Double Nutted Fruit Cakes??? (that one was a reach there) ParkView Positive Patties??? Grabill Grey Bearded Shebigs? Who have I left out??? Who wants into the IHL3???
They can play all games in the MAC, the new rink, and the MC.
We won't need your pool....thanks JR.
How much are you gonna charge for parking JR ? lol !! In all fairness though, this is a sad day for IHL hockey!!!
Roanoke Redheads rule!!!!! :D
We'll see you bunch of nellies.
sad day i sure hope hockey stays but dod not want to see prices go up Wendy did you get a bobblehead?
This "Gray Beard" lives in New Haven. Sorry to disappoint you!
I am always positive so the "Nillie" leaves me out of that also.
Trust me on this there will not be 5 redheads in my box. The one I had was really very polite and respectfull. Would me more than happy to have her back. But never 5 at one time. Give me a break. It is crowded with the three of us in there.
So many possibilities. The best case would be everyone get their heads together leaving their egos at home, and reorganize. We would end up with something along the lines of what the Frankes and the IHL are/were trying to do in the first place.
Right now I don't feel like doing all the typing necessary to discuss all of this, I'd much rather sit around with a few beers and talk about all the possibilities. Oh well.
Dennis, I'd love to have another go at some point. I might even turn my microphone on.
@ Blake: "I don
I don't think Blake is allowed to use the f-word on this blog...it's family-friendly....LOL...
Foo-foo?
Blake,
Is Mr. Franke admitting that Muskegeon and other teams in his IHL are breaking the salary cap regulations when he says it's expensive to be in 1st or 2nd?
Ask him how much a Turner Cup costs please.