The International Hockey League (IHL) announced Wednesday that the Quad City Mallards have been named the 2009-10 IHL Member Club of the Year as selected by the league's Board of Governors. The IHL Member Club of the Year is determined by the team's overall success both on and off the ice.
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Also, please say you'll stay in the league next year!
FW... I had the same exact thought when I read the headline. Lol...
They'll be back. Let's look at it from this standpoint: Where are they going to go? ECHL or CHL at the very least doubles their travel costs and increases player costs because they are union leagues. ECHL closest team would be Kzoo and Toledo. CHL closest team would be Memphis and Missouri. It would be financial suicide to switch. Chris Lechenski is a smart man.
Well,,,wait a minute.
They could go to the ECHL as long as the remaining IHL teams are packaged in that deal. Travel wouldn't be so bad if it were teams like Bloomy, QC, Chicago (added), FW, K-Zoo, PH, Toledo, Cincy, Dayton....Future Evansville, and possibly Cleveland (rumored to be ECHL soon.)
Don't just assume that it means the IHL will survive just because QC is "staying".....there are no guarantees on the IHL if Flint leaves, then PH leaves, then the Domino Effect takes place. The teams in this league right now need help from someone, and if the ECHL is reaching out with that helping hand forming a midwestern division, how do you not take that deal?
Not unless you know something that we all don't know....not saying that you do....just saying in general.
Again, Hit, for the 1 millionth time (As Dr. Evil would say), every team in every league needs help right now. Sure, they could go as a group. Maybe that's how it eventually works out. I'm not convinced yet that jumping just to jump to another league makes any more sense than staying put because I don't think any other league is any better position. We'll see.
Have you guys seen the ECHL playoffs? Look at the distance between those teams, understand they are playing on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and wonder how in the world they are paying those bills. Elmira and Florida? Reading-Kalamazoo, Charlotte-Toledo? Cha-chunk!
Why are the ECHL playoffs on those nights? Are there ANY successful playoffs held on those nights, other than the NCAA tournament Final on a Monday night? The more I learn about hockey decisions, the more I think puck-induced head injuries are more prevalent than we know...
Question....
A) Stay put in the IHL next year with these teams: FW, QC, Bloomy, Dayton, and PH
or with FW, Bloomy, QC, Evansville, Dayton
or with FW, Bloomy, QC, Port Huron, Dayton, Evansville
or with FW, Bloomy, QC, Dayton
B) "Jump" just to jump into the ECHL with K-Zoo, Toledo, Cincy, Cleveland, Wheeling, and FW with or without the following teams: QC, Bloomy, Dayton, PH
I don't see it as a jump just to jump....I see it as survival of a hockey team in Fort Wayne at this level playing more than just 3 or 4 teams next season, and playing against teams that are closest to us.
See, you're looking at it like a fan, which you are, not like a businessman, which is how the owners will look at it. I'm not saying you are wrong, because you are not necessarily, but I don't think that's now how they will be making the decision.
So are they fine with a 4 or 5 team league next season?
Dang, I better get to the game, I guess we could continue this pee-ing match in the 200 level mens room when I get there.....want me to text you??? Bring Mike and Dennis H. with you, JM, JR or Frozen....want to join us in this discussion as to what the best fit for our hockey team should be??? LOL
Hope tonight is balls to the walls hockey. Better go...seeya.
I don't know. If they have to, they may have to.
How's that for some deep, philosophical blogging? LOL.
From what I have heard the CHL has had discussions with each team in the IHL about forming a northern division. The schedule would be "old" IHL heavy with a few road trips to some of the current CHL teams. Granted, they are a unionized league; but they have a lower salary cap and less vets.
I think everything is at the feeling out stage and dont believe for a minute when the ECHL says that membership is closed for next season... Too much going on this off season for that statement. May be just a bargaining ploy...
Where is everyone at?? I purposefully drank 3 large Mt. Dews and can't hold it much longer...
LOL.... Sorry, FW, I'm stuck at work... Watching on B2 tho!!!
I had no idea there was a contest... I wouldn't have wasted time with those baby beers..