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Any cities you wish had a team (not in Canada)?

Qwijibo said:
You're getting a false picture by excluding canadian cities.
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There is no picture but each our own.

And I've been on boards like this long enough to know the list of Canadian cities Canadians would pick. Although I haven't heard from Americans what if any Canadian cities they may have an affinity for.
 
PistolPete said:
I've often wondered if teams on Orlando and even Jacksonvile may not even help he Lighnting by creating rivalries between the cities.

I suspect the Lightning being in Tamps Bay don't create many hockey fans in Jacksonville, at least not as much as if Jacksonville had its own team and they have two immediate and then Miami in the mix as rivals.

The Sunshine Cup Series!
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Jacksonville would be a tough sell. The Icemen seem to be okay but culturally speaking, North Florida is way more "Southern" than the rest of the state. As such, sports-wise Football is the big thing and everything else is a distant second.

Orlando with the Solar Bears and the proximity to Tampa don't make it a "Hockey town" but I'd take my chances there over Jacksonville if it came down to it, even with an NBA and MLS team to compete with. Orlando also has more ice rinks (3) vs Jacksonville (1) which tells me there's more of an appetite for the sport in Central Florida.
 
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HisIceness said:
Jacksonville would be a tough sell. The Icemen seem to be okay but culturally speaking, North Florida is way more "Southern" than the rest of the state. As such, sports-wise Football is the big thing and everything else is a distant second.

Orlando with the Solar Bears and the proximity to Tampa don't make it a "Hockey town" but I'd take my chances there over Jacksonville if it came down to it, even with an NBA and MLS team to compete with. Orlando also has more ice rinks (3) vs Jacksonville (1) which tells me there's more of an appetite for the sport in Central Florida.
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Could the three ice rinks be because of Disney? A wild shot guess but when I was there I noticed they bring in a lot of employees from all over thr country, including the north east. Probably not a big overlap between hockey fans and Disney fans buuuuuutttt....ya just never know lol
 
PistolPete said:
Could the three ice rinks be because of Disney? A wild shot guess but when I was there I noticed they bring in a lot of employees from all over thr country, including the north east. Probably not a big overlap between hockey fans and Disney fans buuuuuutttt....ya just never know lol
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Well one of them is used by the Solar Bears during the season but it looks like it gets used year-round for general beer hockey too. The other two I don't know the history of but I imagine they're there because of demand.

I mean the Disney thing makes sense. Chances are youll find a fan or two for the reasons you stated. Lots of snowbirds live there too.

I go to Orlando a couple of times a year and at the airport there's always a few people in Hockey apparel. There is a popular Bills/Sabres bar near the KIA Center. It's common to see the Lightning logo on cars. The Lightning and Panthers play each other there in preseason.

It isn't a "Hockey town" per se but the game does alright there. The Solar Bears have a good fanbase.
 
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HisIceness said:
Well one of them is used by the Solar Bears during the season but it looks like it gets used year-round for general beer hockey too. The other two I don't know the history of but I imagine they're there because of demand.

I mean the Disney thing makes sense. Chances are youll find a fan or two for the reasons you stated. Lots of snowbirds live there too.

I go to Orlando a couple of times a year and at the airport there's always a few people in Hockey apparel. There is a popular Bills/Sabres bar near the KIA Center. It's common to see the Lightning logo on cars. The Lightning and Panthers play each other there in preseason.

It isn't a "Hockey town" per se but the game does alright there. The Solar Bears have a good fanbase.
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Rather ironic the smallest Big 4 American market is the one with a bar in Orlando, Florida- not NYC, Boston, Philadelphia.... lol

Sounds to me like maybe a team in Orlando would possibly work.

I just wonder if it would cut into Tampa's TV market
 
PistolPete said:
Rather ironic the smallest Big 4 American market is the one with a bar in Orlando, Florida- not NYC, Boston, Philadelphia.... lol

Sounds to me like maybe a team in Orlando would possibly work.

I just wonder if it would cut into Tampa's TV market
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I don't think it's that ironic. Even where I live there's a lot of former WNYers.

I don't entirely know how the tv market would be affected (the Lightning are seen in Orlando on Sun Sports or whatever it is) but the only way the Solar Bears get "upgraded" would be the Orlando Magic ownership going to Bettman and friends with a blank check saying "We wish to enter your club".

Don't get me wrong. It's a fun thought, but not a realistic one.

Bixby Snyder said:
Because outside of Quebec City, Canada is pretty much tapped out for viable NHL markets. It be like if the NFL had 99 teams and arguing over whether Tuscaloosa Alabama or Columbia Missouri should be the 100th.
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Definitely Tuscaloosa, they've had a pro team for about 100 years now :laugh:
 
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Halifax? (Halifax Whalers would be sweet with the original logo from Carolina.) Maybe if you include all Maritime providences in the media rights? As an American outside looking in, this would be the most thankful fan base of a team anywhere. (Imo) Travel/wealth effect would be noticeable for this area.

Back to the original....


Portland, San Diego, Houston, Indianapolis, Louisville, Milwaukee. Pheonix/Atlanta are in my heart but aren't good for the soul in this case.
 
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Snuggs said:
Halifax? (Halifax Whalers would be sweet with the original logo from Carolina.) Maybe if you include all Maritime providences in the media rights? As an American outside looking in, this would be the most thankful fan base of a team anywhere. (Imo) Travel/wealth effect would be noticeable for this area.

Back to the original....


Portland, San Diego, Houston, Indianapolis, Louisville, Milwaukee. Pheonix/Atlanta are in my heart but aren't good for the soul in this case.
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Halifax would be awesome. An east coast team!

Alas, it may be even too small for our little CFL.

But the area is absolutely fantastic. I loved it so much I'll be heading out for a second time this summer. Sorry Yanks, that exchange rate is too big for my wallet!
 
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