Don't count on Fresno getting another hockey team
I wasn't.
this is a prime example of the distrust between AEG/ASM Global and most Western fanbases that started root 7 years ago and the issues as to how ASM Global views their contracts with each city and venue.... when you hear/see/read a franchise like Calgary getting negative feedback over how the venue is being operated with their tenant owned/operated franchise..... it harkens back to that "business" decision by ASM to let a market like Manchester and its venue go simply because it doesn't fit into their strategy
You got that half right, Tommy. Pretty good chance that at least several dozen Ontario Reign fans know that "Manchester" is a major Avenue (aka, CA-42) running west-to-east in L.A. County, from Playa del Rey just north of LAX thru Westchester (passing Randy's Donuts with its world famous giant donut on the roof) thru Inglewood (passing the iconic Great Western Forum) and finally passing under The 110/Harbor Freeway to its end at Hooper Ave. where the name changes to Firestone Blvd. Been there, done that, finally found the freeway I was looking for.... I would bet that the fanbases in California do not even know where Manchester is located or that they even had a team at one time.
Your version of "realistic" is certainly ... something ...I think there's no way Vancouver places their AHL affiliate in BC.
The only realistic option to me is buying the ECHL Idaho Steelheads, then perform a franchise swap with the Comets, such that the Steelheads are now in the AHL, and the Comets in the ECHL. The ECHL franchise would be sold off again, and could link up with Buffalo and Rochester further down the road, allowing Cincinnati to hook up with Columbus and Cleveland.
I think there's no way Vancouver places their AHL affiliate in BC.
The only realistic option to me is buying the ECHL Idaho Steelheads, then perform a franchise swap with the Comets, such that the Steelheads are now in the AHL, and the Comets in the ECHL. The ECHL franchise would be sold off again, and could link up with Buffalo and Rochester further down the road, allowing Cincinnati to hook up with Columbus and Cleveland.
Your version of "realistic" is certainly ... something ...
I think there's no way Vancouver places their AHL affiliate in BC.
The only realistic option to me is buying the ECHL Idaho Steelheads, then perform a franchise swap with the Comets, such that the Steelheads are now in the AHL, and the Comets in the ECHL. The ECHL franchise would be sold off again, and could link up with Buffalo and Rochester further down the road, allowing Cincinnati to hook up with Columbus and Cleveland.
AHL-ECHL swaps rarely work out for both party's Robert Esche and the management in Utica are smart enough to know that.Where do you get these ideas? The Idaho Steelheads owner didn't sell for Seattle. What in your delusional mind makes you think he'll do it for Vancouver?
And that's besides the point, since the Canucks owner is on the record as saying the only place for the Canucks AHL team besides Utica is in British Columbia, likely Abbotsford or Chilliwack. Canucks owner says Abbotsford one ‘option’ for farm team - Abbotsford News
Forget Abbotsford, Canucks Extend AHL Affiliate Deal With Utica Comets – FVN
The time is right for the Canucks to move their AHL team to Abbotsford | Offside
Canucks owner says Abbotsford one ‘option’ for farm team - Chilliwack Progress
AHL-ECHL swaps rarely work out for both party's Robert Esche and the management in Utica are smart enough to know that.
realistically, Tony, Vulcan, which has split interests in both Seattle and Portland as to why the Blazers are the focus in Portland and Oregon, overall outside of the NCAA.... THEN all you have to realize is there's a segment of fans who "rebel" against a market, perceived or reality, to them....and now with Paul Allen not the central figure there in Oregon, especially, not so much with the Mariners/Seahawks/Sounders/ and whomever OVG deems NHL Seattle to be....Just tossing something out there — admittedly with limited knowledge of hockey in the Pacific Northwest. I realize the WinterHawks are the prominent team in Portland but has the city ever been considered for an AHL franchise?
In looking up franchises on HockeyDB, it seems that the last pro hockey played there was in the 1970's (going back to the early part of the last century, there was once a franchise in the precursor of the NHL, which I believe the Patrick family of NHL lore either ran or played for).
Is the city a viable option for an NHL franchise and if not would smaller cities such as Salem or Eugene be options? (can see no evidence of hockey being there in the past).
It would seem from both a geographical and economic standpoint (again, with little knowledge of the hockey communities in that area) that would seem to work for either Seattle or Vancouver to compete with the California franchises.
Just tossing something out there — admittedly with limited knowledge of hockey in the Pacific Northwest. I realize the WinterHawks are the prominent team in Portland but has the city ever been considered for an AHL franchise?
In looking up franchises on HockeyDB, it seems that the last pro hockey played there was in the 1970's (going back to the early part of the last century, there was once a franchise in the precursor of the NHL, which I believe the Patrick family of NHL lore either ran or played for).
Is the city a viable option for an NHL franchise and if not would smaller cities such as Salem or Eugene be options? (can see no evidence of hockey being there in the past).
It would seem from both a geographical and economic standpoint (again, with little knowledge of the hockey communities in that area) that would seem to work for either Seattle or Vancouver to compete with the California franchises.