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ECHL to Albuquerque?

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Atlantian

Atlantian

Registered User
Dec 13, 2017
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Atlanta, GA
New article from the Rio Rancho Observer talking about a new ECHL team set to play in the Albuquerque metro area in 2023-24. I first heard about it around the start of Covid, and I did not believe it was a legitimate conversation. I still don’t see how it’s possible as they’re on a geographic island. With Jerry James being involved, there’s a chance this is tangled up in the Atlanta AHL-Athens ECHL play that’s happening at the same time.
rrobserver.com

Hockey expected to return to Rio Rancho - Rio Rancho Observer

Rio Rancho is on the verge of getting another hockey team. The team, which will be named the Raptors, is expected to be part of the ECHL, a 27-team league in 20 states and two provinces in Canada. Play will start in October 2023 on the Raptors’ home ice — the Rio Rancho Events Center. […]
rrobserver.com rrobserver.com
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WPHL will poach them before the lights are turned on.

ETA: I wonder what "coast" Idaho & Utah share ... :huh:
The ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states. It has since grown into a coast-to-coast league with 27 teams in 20 states and two Canadian provinces for its 34th season in 2021-22, according to its web site. ...
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He currently does not have any ownership in the Gladiators from what I’ve been told. Orlich was supposed to sell to him, but did not after Jerry did not communicate well. What I think is happening: the Gladiators are relocating to Athens as an AHL team comes in 2023. The team is sold to new ownership in Athens. Jerry is leading the charge for AHL in Atlanta supposedly, but that may have fallen through or he may just want to keep an ECHL team. That is the part I’m not 100% on. Either way, I do not trust Jerry.
 
The location of the arena out in the desert away from the majority of the Albuquerque metro is still going to be problematic I'd imagine.
 
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Atlantian said:
He currently does not have any ownership in the Gladiators from what I’ve been told. Orlich was supposed to sell to him, but did not after Jerry did not communicate well. What I think is happening: the Gladiators are relocating to Athens as an AHL team comes in 2023. The team is sold to new ownership in Athens. Jerry is leading the charge for AHL in Atlanta supposedly, but that may have fallen through or he may just want to keep an ECHL team. That is the part I’m not 100% on. Either way, I do not trust Jerry.
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Teams do not necessarily have to identify minority ownership stakes, so he very well could have some stake in the team.

The biggest problem, it seemed, the New Mexico Scorpions faced was that Rio Rancho is not in downtown Albuquerque. The Scorps weren't a well-run team, but location was a big, big part of their demise. I don't know how they could expect any different results today.
 
mk80 said:
The location of the arena out in the desert away from the majority of the Albuquerque metro is still going to be problematic I'd imagine.
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No where else to play really, its the only viable arena for ECHL. I went to a Scorpions game years ago, it wasn't a bad location because Rio Rancho is where much of the money and new growth is. Who knows, maybe with an anchor tenant this team eventually drives the building of a better located facility in a more central location. The problem in the metro area is outside of the Pit, the entertainment is controlled by the competing tribal casinos who want to host events on site for obvious reasons.
 
JMCx4 said:
WPHL will poach them before the lights are turned on.

ETA: I wonder what "coast" Idaho & Utah share ... :huh:
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Lake Bonneville was quite the drink back in the day.

For some reason, my Rand McNally makes Rio Rancho look closer to downtown Albuquerque. But when I was driving out of Albuquerque last November and heading towards Salt Lake City, after going that 16 miles to US 550… oh, THAT’S Rio Rancho? Sorry, the whole new money thing doesn’t ring with me when you’re that far out and frankly rather disconnected.
 
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Big Z Man 1990 said:
Kansas City should be moved to the Central Division, then the Mountain Division can finally have a majority of teams in the Mountain Time Zone
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The only thing that should be done about anything is you going back to recognizing that organizing divisions based on time zones is pointless and makes zero logistical sense.

Isn't there a NHL expansion thread out you need to go back to where you can spam post some more about how the NHL should expand to Indianapolis to satisfy non-existent time zone equality needs.
 
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The internet will never let this dream die ...

Latest presumably credible web article that I could find, from The Rio Rancho Observer ...
Prior to Raptors’ official announcement, hockey interest is growing

By Gary Herron | Sports Editor | Aug 17, 2022

With a formal announcement expected soon of an ECHL hockey team coming to Rio Rancho, playing its home games at the Rio Rancho Events Center, there’s been a “power play” of sorts going on behind the scenes to foster interest and make the New Mexico Raptors’ stay a success story. ...

The Raptors will likely play 36 home games in the 2023-24 season, and several entities are stirring interest, hopefully not only attracting longtime hockey fans, but those new to the sport who want some excitement in their lives.

The team has its logo, and features Navajo accents and a Zia symbol. What’s yet to be released is its NHL affiliation. ...

This much is known about the Raptors: Open tryouts will take place next July and most practices will be held at The MAC, where a new Raptors-only locker room will be prepared. ...


Read a Little Bit More at: Prior to Raptors' official announcement, hockey interest is growing - Rio Rancho Observer
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I’m still confused at this rumor. Just seems like a rumor to stir the pot & nothing else.

If the rumor had any merit, I think a 30-32 team ECHL where every team has a 1-1 affiliation would be cool.

- Athens, GA
- Albuquerque, NM
- Stockton/Fresno, CA or Reno, NV
- Colorado Springs, CO

Where else would be a candidate to get to 1:1?
 
hockeyfan32 said:
I’m still confused at this rumor. Just seems like a rumor to stir the pot & nothing else.

If the rumor had any merit, I think a 30-32 team ECHL where every team has a 1-1 affiliation would be cool.

- Athens, GA
- Albuquerque, NM
- Stockton/Fresno, CA or Reno, NV
- Colorado Springs, CO

Where else would be a candidate to get to 1:1?
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What's "cool" doesn't have any influence on the business realities.
 
JMCx4 said:
What's "cool" doesn't have any influence on the business realities.
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The reality is there is hundreds of thousands of people in some of these cities with 0 or very few sports teams, especially Albuquerque. Baseless rumor is gonna be baseless I guess.

I don’t buy that some of these towns can’t support a team. Certainly an owner needs to step up.
 
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I've been wrong before, but I would think with the ECHL's preference to have teams established a full year before starting play, if a New Mexico team was coming for the 23-24 season, there would have been some announcement of the franchise officially already.
 
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hockeyfan32 said:
The reality is there is hundreds of thousands of people in some of these cities with 0 or very few sports teams, especially Albuquerque. Baseless rumor is gonna be baseless I guess.

I don’t buy that some of these towns can’t support a team. Certainly an owner needs to step up.
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And again, it's a business, not a favor to sports fans.
 
JMCx4 said:
And again, it's a business, not a favor to sports fans.
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You must be fun at parties. Anyway, I heard the first time. Again, there’s hundreds of thousands of people in many areas with underserved hockey markets. That’s not a “favor”.
 
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