Erie Otters 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part I

[Mata]

Otters make first ever signing from their affiliate club in Port Colbourne. Otters sign defenceman Andrew Willis - Ontario Hockey League

In your opinion is it because of players we'll be missing soon or do you think SB has little faith in some of our back line or are we prepping for next season? Something else?

We did send down Knight earlier and D'Alessio was also called up. Curious if it's just trying to get some kids in for some league minimum games and a taste of what's to come for next season.

 

[chl2024]

They are just AP spots so they can be called up to play should there be an injury or something. Knight has left the team, and I heard D'Alessio and Turner aren't even in Erie. Ambrosio is injured, but hopefully he will be back soon. He's been solid this year.

 

[EOtterstracker]

Otters Owner Jim Waters passes away at 73. Devastating news.

 

[OttersFan]

Sad day in the hockey world. This is a huge loss to the Otters.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Sad day in the hockey world. This is a huge loss to the Otters.

On behalf of Sudbury Wolves fans, our heart felt condolences. Please take care of each other.

 

[ZinErie]

Otters and Spirit players in pregame ceremony remembering Jim Waters.

 

[ohloutsider]

View attachment 945333
Otters and Spirit players in pregame ceremony remembering Jim Waters.

They had a moment of silence at the Spits/ Knights game as well.

 

[Millpond]

Sad day in the hockey world. This is a huge loss to the Otters.

So sorry to read this. Jim was so well respected in his OHL community.

He was more well known around Southern Ontario for his work with CHUM Radio, a mainstay for many of us .

A remarkable man , who will be missed by so many .

Condolences from your friends in Attackland

 

[NOA]

Incredibly sad news to hear about Jim’s passing. He truly embraced the community and put a lot of resources and effort into making hockey stay in our town and for that, I’m forever grateful. Without him, there is no 2017 championship team and all the fun memories us Erie fans were able to share on the playoff run. While I didn’t know Jim personally, I know a lot of people who did and everyone always had kind words to share about him. My thoughts and prayers will continue for his family, his friends, and the Erie Otters community

While this news is still fresh and hard to grasp, I am also thinking of what this means for hockey in Erie long term. As mentioned, Jim was instrumental in keeping hockey here despite many rumors of the franchise leaving over the many years before him. I can’t help but wonder what this means going forward.. I would imagine Jim wanted the team to stay in Erie as long as possible but he’s no longer around to wave that flag for our city. This is a heartbreaking loss that also might impact hockey in this city going forward.

 

[OttersFan]

Incredibly sad news to hear about Jim’s passing. He truly embraced the community and put a lot of resources and effort into making hockey stay in our town and for that, I’m forever grateful. Without him, there is no 2017 championship team and all the fun memories us Erie fans were able to share on the playoff run. While I didn’t know Jim personally, I know a lot of people who did and everyone always had kind words to share about him. My thoughts and prayers will continue for his family, his friends, and the Erie Otters community

While this news is still fresh and hard to grasp, I am also thinking of what this means for hockey in Erie long term. As mentioned, Jim was instrumental in keeping hockey here despite many rumors of the franchise leaving over the many years before him. I can’t help but wonder what this means going forward.. I would imagine Jim wanted the team to stay in Erie as long as possible but he’s no longer around to wave that flag for our city. This is a heartbreaking loss that also might impact hockey in this city going forward.

A lot of us are definitely hurting. It’s a huge shock and unbelievable news. Jim was as good as they come. He recognized us every away game and made an effort to have a genuine conversation with us. He was incredible and loved his hockey family.

From what I heard and obviously it’s too fresh to speculate on the “what ifs”, but with the new NCAA rules it wouldn’t be surprising to see someone NCAA buy the team.

With all the talk of Youngstown and Muskegon expanding to the US, it wouldn’t make sense to get rid of Erie entirely given how well the team is supported here. Of course it’s not Kitchener or London caliber, but we still have a decent crowd every night. Ticket sales have to be decent. The arena is recently renovated.

Maybe I’m just trying to remain hopeful. It would be heartbreaking to not have a team here.

 

[Millpond]

A lot of us are definitely hurting. It’s a huge shock and unbelievable news. Jim was as good as they come. He recognized us every away game and made an effort to have a genuine conversation with us. He was incredible and loved his hockey family.

From what I heard and obviously it’s too fresh to speculate on the “what ifs”, but with the new NCAA rules it wouldn’t be surprising to see someone NCAA buy the team.

With all the talk of Youngstown and Muskegon expanding to the US, it wouldn’t make sense to get rid of Erie entirely given how well the team is supported here. Of course it’s not Kitchener or London caliber, but we still have a decent crowd every night. Ticket sales have to be decent. The arena is recently renovated.

Maybe I’m just trying to remain hopeful. It would be heartbreaking to not have a team here.

Erie remains the Attack fan club favorite destination .

We were wondering how adding two more American teams could impact our annual double header visit?

 

[Mata]

A lot of us are definitely hurting. It’s a huge shock and unbelievable news. Jim was as good as they come. He recognized us every away game and made an effort to have a genuine conversation with us. He was incredible and loved his hockey family.

From what I heard and obviously it’s too fresh to speculate on the “what ifs”, but with the new NCAA rules it wouldn’t be surprising to see someone NCAA buy the team.

With all the talk of Youngstown and Muskegon expanding to the US, it wouldn’t make sense to get rid of Erie entirely given how well the team is supported here. Of course it’s not Kitchener or London caliber, but we still have a decent crowd every night. Ticket sales have to be decent. The arena is recently renovated.

Maybe I’m just trying to remain hopeful. It would be heartbreaking to not have a team here.

While all within the realm of possibility, I would have to think the team stays, at least for the short term (1 - 3 years).

Obviously there is going to be a ton of legal paperwork and such that will need to fulfilled, but can't imagine he didn't have a will to include immediate plans for the team.

I too will remain hopeful we can find an owner who has half of the passion Jim had for this team and this town. It's a wonderful place for an OHL franchise and as long as the money side makes sense, would be a wise investment for years to come.

On the flip side, it couldn't have happened at a worse time given all the variables.

OHL Expansion?
NCAA rules
The team is LIKELY headed for a downswing within the next year or two unless something very fortuitous happens.

 

[Matthew L Wilson]

I am confident that someone will buy the team, or it may be possible that the family retains ownership. The Otters have become a flagship destination, along with London, Kitchener, and one or 2 more because of McDavid, Strome, DeBrincat, Coach Knoblauch and others. I can't imagine that someone won't buy the team if the family isn't interested.

We had the opportunity to talk to Jim Waters several times, as we had season tickets for 20 years. During our annual trip to Owen Sound we ran into Jim and he asked us which of the players were family members. We told him that none of them were family, and that we were just huge fans of the club. He thanked us over and over again, even sending us a Christmas card. He was as fine a gentleman as we had ever met. It is hard to believe that he is gone.

 

[NOA]

I am confident that someone will buy the team, or it may be possible that the family retains ownership. The Otters have become a flagship destination, along with London, Kitchener, and one or 2 more because of McDavid, Strome, DeBrincat, Coach Knoblauch and others. I can't imagine that someone won't buy the team if the family isn't interested.

We had the opportunity to talk to Jim Waters several times, as we had season tickets for 20 years. During our annual trip to Owen Sound we ran into Jim and he asked us which of the players were family members. We told him that none of them were family, and that we were just huge fans of the club. He thanked us over and over again, even sending us a Christmas card. He was as fine a gentleman as we had ever met. It is hard to believe that he is gone.

Flagship destination? I’m sorry, but I disagree. They certainly were while McDavid / Knoblauch were here and they were winning but 7-8 years of losing and bad coaching since that time has reversed things. If they were a flagship destination, the record since 2018 would be much different. They haven’t even been profitable in long time so it’s easy to see a sale and/or move for this team in the somewhat near future. Before anyone jumps on me for this commentary - I’m NOT predicting this but I also would not put them anywhere near the top destinations or teams that aren’t going anywhere (such as LDN, WSR, KIT). So, losing Jim is a tough situation for the stability of the franchise because he was connected to the community and cared enough or felt connected enough to want to make it work - even if it meant not necessarily making money off of it. It was a hobby to him. Is that going to be the same for the next guy? Hard to imagine..

 

[Millpond]

While all within the realm of possibility, I would have to think the team stays, at least for the short term (1 - 3 years).

Obviously there is going to be a ton of legal paperwork and such that will need to fulfilled, but can't imagine he didn't have a will to include immediate plans for the team.

I too will remain hopeful we can find an owner who has half of the passion Jim had for this team and this town. It's a wonderful place for an OHL franchise and as long as the money side makes sense, would be a wise investment for years to come.

On the flip side, it couldn't have happened at a worse time given all the variables.

OHL Expansion?
NCAA rules
The team is LIKELY headed for a downswing within the next year or two unless something very fortuitous happens.

Maybe his family will take over, at least in the short term ?

 

[Erie Otters Zone]

Otters have a lease with the Erie Insurance Arena that ensures the team will remain in Erie until at least 2029 Erie Events and Otters Announce Ten-Year Lease Agreement - Erie Otters

 

[Mata]

Maybe his family will take over, at least in the short term ?

I would think there are safeguards in place, yes. However, a new owner could step in at any time I would assume.

Depending on how much the family and/or new ownership likes Erie will largely determine the future of the franchise. Erie isn't an awful place to have a team. Support is fairly steady within this area and one could expect with a healthy franchise putting 3k+ fans into the seats almost every night.

Is that ultimately enough to keep the team here, that's anyone's guess as the financial situation is only speculation and I don't know anyone with firsthand knowledge. I can't imagine these owners would be in the business to lose money year after year so one would assume with the lease agreement signed in 2019 the franchise wins more than it loses on the balance sheet side.

 

[frontsfan67]

A lot of us are definitely hurting. It’s a huge shock and unbelievable news. Jim was as good as they come. He recognized us every away game and made an effort to have a genuine conversation with us. He was incredible and loved his hockey family.

From what I heard and obviously it’s too fresh to speculate on the “what ifs”, but with the new NCAA rules it wouldn’t be surprising to see someone NCAA buy the team.

With all the talk of Youngstown and Muskegon expanding to the US, it wouldn’t make sense to get rid of Erie entirely given how well the team is supported here. Of course it’s not Kitchener or London caliber, but we still have a decent crowd every night. Ticket sales have to be decent. The arena is recently renovated.

Maybe I’m just trying to remain hopeful. It would be heartbreaking to not have a team here.

I think if a new owner moved Erie anywhere that would be a catastrophic mistake. Also with the recent history of the team(obviously that great team with O’Rielly on it) but since McDavid came they’ve been one of the best franchises in the OHL and have another young up and coming superstar with Schaefer and another first round pick with Spence.

With incredibly support the team receives too that would be a horrible business decision.

If they move you guys it won’t be for a while imo. But I definitely think you stay as long as fans show up.

Flagship destination? I’m sorry, but I disagree. They certainly were while McDavid / Knoblauch were here and they were winning but 7-8 years of losing and bad coaching since that time has reversed things. If they were a flagship destination, the record since 2018 would be much different. They haven’t even been profitable in long time so it’s easy to see a sale and/or move for this team in the somewhat near future. Before anyone jumps on me for this commentary - I’m NOT predicting this but I also would not put them anywhere near the top destinations or teams that aren’t going anywhere (such as LDN, WSR, KIT). So, losing Jim is a tough situation for the stability of the franchise because he was connected to the community and cared enough or felt connected enough to want to make it work - even if it meant not necessarily making money off of it. It was a hobby to him. Is that going to be the same for the next guy? Hard to imagine..

Can’t speak for the future but for right now and the next year or two they certainly are with Schaefer, Spence there. Schaefer especially

 

[NOA]

Is that ultimately enough to keep the team here, that's anyone's guess as the financial situation is only speculation and I don't know anyone with firsthand knowledge. I can't imagine these owners would be in the business to lose money year after year so one would assume with the lease agreement signed in 2019 the franchise wins more than it loses on the balance sheet side.

I can’t speak to the books either but the most recent reports from around the entire league showed that many teams are in the red. Also, the franchise has had a lease with EIA prior to the renewal but that didnt stop them from being in the red even during the McDavid days ..
the CHL isn’t really a lucrative business minus the top tier franchises which Erie isn’t. Most teams are breaking even and slightly near that +/-

When Bassin sold the team, he definitely wanted to keep them in Erie if he could. But if the team goes for sale again, then a new owner could in theory be anyone or someone who has zero vested interest with Erie.

I’m not predicting the future but JWs passing could definitely lead to a future sale of the team and we don’t have any idea on who would be interested in buying and if so, what they want to do with franchise. Time will tell.. but me personally, I have some concern

 

[NOA]

I think if a new owner moved Erie anywhere that would be a catastrophic mistake. Also with the recent history of the team(obviously that great team with O’Rielly on it) but since McDavid came they’ve been one of the best franchises in the OHL and have another young up and coming superstar with Schaefer and another first round pick with Spence.

With incredibly support the team receives too that would be a horrible business decision.

If they move you guys it won’t be for a while imo. But I definitely think you stay as long as fans show up.


Can’t speak for the future but for right now and the next year or two they certainly are with Schaefer, Spence there. Schaefer especially

Great team with O’Reilly on it? Are you referring to the 18 win team or 34 win team he was on??

Since Knoblauch departed, they missed the playoffs for 5 straight seasons (technically 4 if you remove COVID year). That’s an OHL record,. So, they have not been close to one of the best franchises as you put it … Their drafts have been subpar, coaching hires subpar, and bad roster or asset management. They had a clear window to stay at the top after the McDavid / Strome / Debrincat era but they failed to hire the right replacements and it’s been downhill since. This is their most talented team since 2017 but it’s underwhelming and right now, at best a 4/5 seed. Schaefer is trending to be a top 2/3 pick in the NHL - there is zero guarantee he is back next year and with the OA trio (which in many ways is carrying them with Alfano/Fimis) and Terrance gone, next year looks like another “rebuild” or bottom standing season.

 

[frontsfan67]

Great team with O’Reilly on it? Are you referring to the 18 win team or 34 win team he was on??

Thought there was a pretty good team that won a championship around the time he was playing? And I thought he was on it. Disregard that then

 

[Mata]

I think if a new owner moved Erie anywhere that would be a catastrophic mistake. Also with the recent history of the team(obviously that great team with O’Rielly on it) but since McDavid came they’ve been one of the best franchises in the OHL and have another young up and coming superstar with Schaefer and another first round pick with Spence.

With incredibly support the team receives too that would be a horrible business decision.

If they move you guys it won’t be for a while imo. But I definitely think you stay as long as fans show up.


Can’t speak for the future but for right now and the next year or two they certainly are with Schaefer, Spence there. Schaefer especially

Some may or may not know, but Erie has a D1 Men's NCAA team in addition to the Otters. That being said, with the recent rule change it COULD make Erie a valuable destination if the Otters would team up with the University to provide a very unique bridging opportunity without uprooting the players. It COULD prove to be a very valuable piece with regards to the future.

 

[frontsfan67]

Some may or may not know, but Erie has a D1 Men's NCAA team in addition to the Otters. That being said, with the recent rule change it COULD make Erie a valuable destination if the Otters would team up with the University to provide a very unique bridging opportunity without uprooting the players. It COULD prove to be a very valuable piece with regards to the future.

That would be a great move. I could see certain teams doing this. Big clubs like London and Boston university/boston college teaming up and the lower end teams like Kingston, sarnia, Brampton, owen sound get the scraps