Hamilton Bulldogs 2022-23 Season Thread

[Rounder8]

Oh.. I don't disagree with you. It's not a Hamilton thing, it's a political thing. Hamilton city council should be putting contingency plans in place in the event the team doesn't return, and they should keep the lines of communication open. No doubt they won't until the next election comes around and they will all be pointing fingers at each other. Sadly by that time it'll be too late to try and submit a reasonable bid.

The fact that they are about to do a $250 million renovation on a building and are in danger of losing 2 of their 3 anchor tenants tells you all that you need to know about how smart these people are.

Tim Hortons field was a fiasco when it was done and they have learned nothing from that.

 

[Hammer9001]

Hamilton city council should be putting contingency plans in place in the event the team doesn't return, and they should keep the lines of communication open. No doubt they won't until the next election comes around and they will all be pointing fingers at each other. Sadly by that time it'll be too late to try and submit a reasonable bid.

To be fair, the previous council. The current council hasn't been around long enough and they've been stuck with this reno. Although to also be fair, I would presume this council will be a lot more "No, we aren't spending on sports venues or giving hand outs to private businesses."

 

[Canadian Game]

Notice the shoulder patch.

 

[Jawk]

Notice the shoulder patch.

Patch was prominent on the form to submit deposits for next year's seasons as well.

One of the releases also mentions Brantfords desire to work with the team on a new building. This is something I had already heard. Andlauer has offered the same deal/$$$ to Brantford as he did Hamilton, and Brantford is very interested in that idea.

We'll see. Andlauer for sure has leverage on both sides now.

 

[Canadian Game]

Patch was prominent on the form to submit deposits for next year's seasons as well.

One of the releases also mentions Brantfords desire to work with the team on a new building. This is something I had already heard. Andlauer has offered the same deal/$$$ to Brantford as he did Hamilton, and Brantford is very interested in that idea.

We'll see. Andlauer for sure has leverage on both sides now.

Interesting. I hadn’t heard about it appearing on the form for deposits.

I missed the release about the desire to work together to build a new arena but it’s not surprising. Andlauer has interesting opportunity between working with the city to possibly build a new arena, or renewing the lease for the renovated FOC. The thing with the FOC, is that Andlauer would have do continue dealing with stubbornness and BS.

 

[Jawk]

Interesting. I hadn’t heard about it appearing on the form for deposits.

I missed the release about the desire to work together to build a new arena but it’s not surprising. Andlauer has interesting opportunity between working with the city to possibly build a new arena, or renewing the lease for the renovated FOC. The thing with the FOC, is that Andlauer would have do continue dealing with stubbornness and BS.

So not on an actual release, just informal talk.

 

[Canadian Game]

Solid 60 minute effort from the guys tonight. Panwar and Lardis continue to be a threat. Nice to see Testa get his first as a Bulldog (2nd OHL goal), which came from McKee allowing others to get PP and PK time in the third. Congrats to Drobac on the shutout.

IceDogs commentators said Hamilton has now won 16 in a row against Niagara, going back to 2019.

 

[Millpond]

Hamilton will not be without a hockey team. Once the arena renovations are done, if the Bulldogs don't come back, another OHL team would move in. There might be some issues with the Bulldogs blocking it due to territorial rights but if the OHL wants a team in Hamilton, a team will play in Hamilton regardless of whether Andlauer will allow it or not. In the OHL territorial rights exist on paper, but in reality mean nothing.

And if no OHL team moves in, the AHL will return to Hamilton.

Doubt it, and doubt it.

I just don't see a team in Hamilton as a slam dunk, especially in this economy. The only team I could see moving is Mississauga and their lease is up this year. Relocation of an AHL team is very expensive teams are watching their pennies.

As for "territorial rights only exist on paper" Hasn't there been a few attempts to get a team in Chatham and Waterloo that have been blocked over the years?

Money in hand and arena ready in Waterloo. Thumbs down.

When the OHL Bulldogs became a thing they had the momentum of the Bulldogs brand. Quite honestly, from the last AHL year to the first OHL year, there were people in the crowd that had no idea.

I'm not sure the "Hamilton Steelheads" would have the same ring to it. Of course the appeal of the new facility may offset those initial challenges.

The territorial rights issue I think will come in to play to allow Andlauer to prevent another team in Hamilton before he commits to one city or another. I like Andlauere, but even his biggest supporters must realize that over the next couple of years he is going to use Brantford vs. Hamilton to leverage his position.

Hamilton Steelheads would be an appropriate name.

 

[Millpond]

Not at all. I should have been more clear, I fully support Andlauer and his decisions based on city council support. They've never viewed the Bulldogs as anything more than a replacement level tenant.

There are just some supporters that refuse to believe he also plays politics.

With his kind of money, he makes his own rules

 

[three dog night]

Doubt it, and doubt it.


Money in hand and arena ready in Waterloo. Thumbs down.


Hamilton Steelheads would be an appropriate name.

Kitchener would block a move to Waterloo

 

[Rounder8]

Solid 60 minute effort from the guys tonight. Panwar and Lardis continue to be a threat. Nice to see Testa get his first as a Bulldog (2nd OHL goal), which came from McKee allowing others to get PP and PK time in the third. Congrats to Drobac on the shutout.

IceDogs commentators said Hamilton has now won 16 in a row against Niagara, going back to 2019.

Made the trip tonight and it was nice to see the boys play a complete 60 min game.

Great night for our first line as usual, but also for the 16 yr olds with Testa and Vanacker scoring and Wray almost getting goals in back to back games.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Is an ECHL team possible?

Maybe bring back the Hamilton Tigers bring in some former bulldogs like Strome, Nurse, Staios.

 

[Canadian Game]

Made the trip tonight and it was nice to see the boys play a complete 60 min game.

Great night for our first line as usual, but also for the 16 yr olds with Testa and Vanacker scoring and Wray almost getting goals in back to back games.

It’s been great seeing many guys step up since the trade deadline, and Vanacker has noticeably taken a few steps in his development recently. I’m very excited to see the rest of the season play out for him, as well as the start of next season.

 

[I Loveallsports]

What's the highest level of hockey in Hamilton after this season at the moment

 

[AttackSound]

Unfortunately with reading the latest articles regarding the Bulldogs it certainly sounds like the future of the Bulldogs and the city of Hamilton maybe have come to a point where future agreements may have reached a final conclusion.

Sadly this maybe a sad day for fans of the Bulldogs in Hamilton. The long term "alternative" location may not be a stopgap place for the OHL in the Steel City. I believe that the re-branding of the Bulldogs is a kind way of saying that Andlauer may have become impatient with the city of Hamilton dragging their feet on a new facility for the Bulldogs and may have been back into a corner with the OHL's minimum standards for buildings.

Even with the recent announcement of FirstOntario Centre getting a massive renovation plan on the table it may not matter if the Bulldogs reception in Brantford ends up being less roadblocked compared to Hamilton, there's no way in telling if Andlauer will leave Hamilton on the table a a consideration for the OHL or if he will choose to make Brantford permanent.

Time will tell where this final result shakes out.

 

[Jawk]

What's the highest level of hockey in Hamilton after this season at the moment

Sr. A and Jr. B

 

[I Loveallsports]

Sr. A and Jr. B

Hmm. I guess something is better than nothing for now. I've never watched sr.a or jr.b. hockey to know the quality of hockey played.

 

[Jawk]

Hmm. I guess something is better than nothing for now. I've never watched sr.a or jr.b. hockey to know the quality of hockey played.

I feel like I'm one of the lucky ones in all of this. I have the means and willingness to drive to Brantford, although 40 mins sure isn't as nice as 10 mins to the rink.

Niagara would actually be the better drive for me, but not doing that. I also have an attachment to Brantford because I grew up there. So many fans are going to have it worse than me.

The sad part is that the rink the Sr A and Jr B team play in desperately also needs replaced. It holds 2500 and would have needed twice the amount of renos as they are doing in Brantford. The ice is also 10' shorter.

 

[Jawk]

Wish it was only on ice stuff to care about right now.

Lardis is an absolute beast. Clearly he is playing more here than he did in Peterborough, given each team's situation, but his Hamilton numbers have surpassed his Peterborough numbers.

Lardis
Petes 36 GP 12 G 7 A
Dogs 13 GP 13 G 11 A

Panwar
Petes 34 GP 10 G 7 A
Dogs 14 GP 7 G 17 A

Tossed Panwar in for fun

 

[Millpond]

Kitchener would block a move to Waterloo

I believe that's what happened.

 

[Torts]

What's the highest level of hockey in Hamilton after this season at the moment

Hamilton Kilty B's in the GOJHL I believe.

 

[I Loveallsports]

Hamilton Kilty B's in the GOJHL I believe.

Wondering how many season tickets were sold in Hamilton and will those holders go watch Junior B hockey

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Wish it was only on ice stuff to care about right now.

Lardis is an absolute beast. Clearly he is playing more here than he did in Peterborough, given each team's situation, but his Hamilton numbers have surpassed his Peterborough numbers.

Lardis
Petes 36 GP 12 G 7 A
Dogs 13 GP 13 G 11 A

Panwar
Petes 34 GP 10 G 7 A
Dogs 14 GP 7 G 17 A

Tossed Panwar in for fun

Lardis will easily become one of the best players in the league.

Brantford will have a good one.

 

[Torts]

Wondering how many season tickets were sold in Hamilton and will those holders go watch Junior B hockey

Yeah I'm not 100%. Personally, if I was a STH in Hamilton and had a vehicle I would travel to Brantford but I imagine there will definitely be varying opinions.

 

[Jawk]

Wondering how many season tickets were sold in Hamilton and will those holders go watch Junior B hockey

Latest # of season holders I heard was only ~800. I have good reason to believe that number is accurate.