shot caller
Registered User
- Apr 16, 2018
- 312
- 373
A long time away and a lot of obstacles in between but just for argument sake - who holds the best chance to host the 2020 Memorial Cup and why?!
A long time away and a lot of obstacles in between but just for argument sake - who holds the best chance to host the 2020 Memorial Cup and why?!
There are plenty of hotels in SSM; you just have to go outside of the downtown core. It's also not a big city so getting from the hotels on the hill to the rink downtown is pretty easy.
Getting TO the town isn't difficult, either. They have an airport or easy access by car via the TransCanada. Is it as easy as Oshawa? No, but not many places will be.
I'd personally love to see it up north. My question would be if the Hounds have the roster that the Generals will have.
For as much as a place like the Soo would be a really interesting place for the tournament. I have a better feeling that a location like Oshawa would be better suited for travelers especially those who would be from the other to CHL leagues. Assuming flight travel is achievable again after the pandemic tapers down most fans from across the QMJHL and WHL could fly into Person International Airport and find accommodations between the Airport and TCC in Oshawa.
Oshawa has a building capacity of 5,500 and at least 10 hotel/motel nearby within about a 20 drive that would make it easier for fans to get to and from the tournament there are also a fairly large entrance that can be used for walkthrough displays and has one amazing historical area within the TCC.
Theres only 4 hotels near GFL Memorial Gardens in the Soo for all the teams and fans, with a building that holds 5,000 and out of that 4,600 are seated I find the Soo Greyhounds and the city of SSM would have a hard time accommodating all the necessary facilities for those involved would be difficult.
Even when the Windsor Spitfires host the last tournament in 2017 for the OHL representative there were enough accommodations near and around the city to get to WFCU Centre and the on site displays even with a 6,500 capacity building. Even though both of these cities hold long traditional history in the OHL community the city of Oshawa and the Generals would be the best available option for fans, teams, and accommodations for all. Not to also count that even the fans across the OHL that aren't near Oshawa have a better chance and shorter distance to travel to and from Oshawa for the tournament.
The big thing to me is the initiative that the OHL has made to include small market teams in the Memorial Cup bidding.
They got their wish and are left with a choice between a small market club and the second largest market in the league. They are wasting their time if they pick Oshawa. Teams like Sudbury, when they get their new arena, are not even going to try if the league ignores their own stated goals and gives the Soo the shaft. It's time to get out of mega cities and hold the cup in a city where hockey is everything. Shawinigan was a massive success for that reason.
Hahahah of course.
"Don't reward teams for putting multiple millions into their arenas and making them NHL level because it'll make teams like Sudbury feel bad!" is one hell of a spin zone, but I respect the fact that you actually went with it. Don't ever change Fisch
Kitchener has zero hotels within walking distance (10-15 min) from the Aud. It wasn't a problem in 2008. They ran free shuttles from all over town to the Aud.
SooToday: City to discuss financial support of Greyhounds Memorial Cup bid.
City to discuss financial support of Greyhounds Memorial Cup bid - SooToday.com
Does anyone know what criteria is used? What is considered important when the teams make their bid presentation?
The big thing to me is the initiative that the OHL has made to include small market teams in the Memorial Cup bidding.
They got their wish and are left with a choice between a small market club and the second largest market in the league. They are wasting their time if they pick Oshawa. Teams like Sudbury, when they get their new arena, are not even going to try if the league ignores their own stated goals and gives the Soo the shaft. It's time to get out of mega cities and hold the cup in a city where hockey is everything. Shawinigan was a massive success for that reason.
Does anyone know what criteria is used? What is considered important when the teams make their bid presentation?
From Windsor hosting a few things come to mind - state of the art clock, lighting that would support high end HD/ 4K tv ( LED lighting was already in place in Windsor), NHL approve glass falling under current guidelines ( Windsor had to replace theirs), room to support off ice activities. Windsor had 3 community rinks for this which are attached to the WFCU center. Also a venue to host awards and banquets. A ventilation system that would support large crowds and heat load as this is basically summer hockey. Local corporate sponsors ( Windsor had a local auto maker donate 20 minivans to shuttle VIPs to and from the hotels). A large committed volunteer group ( sounds easy until crunch time). There is lots more but not coming to mind right now.
$Does anyone know what criteria is used? What is considered important when the teams make their bid presentation?
There are plenty of hotels in SSM; you just have to go outside of the downtown core. It's also not a big city so getting from the hotels on the hill to the rink downtown is pretty easy.
Getting TO the town isn't difficult, either. They have an airport or easy access by car via the TransCanada. Is it as easy as Oshawa? No, but not many places will be.
I'd personally love to see it up north. My question would be if the Hounds have the roster that the Generals will have.
I wouldn’t get out of mega cities, but I’m on board with seeing that every market has a true chance to host. Pass this event around throughout the league. As far as I’m concerned, any team who has hosted in the last 20 years (Guelph, London, Kitchener, Mississauga, Windsor) need not apply.
The only issue with Shawinigan was the hotel rooms. And the issues/inconveniences were whined about every game by the ones who were rubbed the wrong way by it the most - the broadcast media. The on air panel whined every game about the 2 hour drive back to the hotel after every game.
This may not matter to the average fan, but it does to the broadcasters who carry a lot of weight and influence.
Does anyone know what criteria is used? What is considered important when the teams make their bid presentation?
A 2-hr drive back to the hotel is kind of crazy, though. I'd say 30-40 minutes at most should be the limit.
Thats still too long
I did 30 minutes in Rimouski; had no issues at all. Great, scenic drive, lots of restaurants/stores between hotel and arena, and it can make for some great off-time as you explore.