sbpointer
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That would be unfortunate. Brantford has a good thing going. Hopefully the current owner will maintain ownership to help feed their NHL team.
Niagara IceDogs 2023-24 Off-Season Thread
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Very suprised Kevin He not selected for the Top Prospects game. He's done more with less than others selected.
just speculation on my end. current owner now has the nhl and ahl team to worry about, may move the ohl team onto someone who can give it more attention.
If he sold, do you think the league would let him back in if he didn't already have a two part purchase/sell deal in place?
He should got nod over Ethan Procyszyn of north bay.
Procyszyn is a NHL prospect.
The OHL 2006 class seems really good, some NHL prospects were going to be left out of the prospects game.
Who? The IceDogs? In two years, only 6 players from this year's team can return, plus 3 OA's. Most of the team is 18, 19 or 20. They are not a young team. Sure Roobroek and He are good but they need a lot more players than that to have a good future.
frontsfan67
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Didn’t know that. However they do have some good young core players to go around so I’m sure something will work out. Not to mention likely getting another good draft pick this year to add to that.
A new owner would be amazing. I don't think you realize how bad things are here in Niagara. We have no real GM and only a handful of scouts. The local media complains because he won't talk to them. Fans are always in the dark about the teams plans or the reason for trades. The current owner tries to save money anywhere and everywhere. He doesn't care about wins. He cares about making money. I think almost anyone would be better.
The team cannot be moved as they have a lease until 2033 or 2034 so a new owner moving them is not a concern. Once the lease ends, its likely the IceDogs will only be getting 2000 fans per game and the current owner will move the team anyway. Attendance in 2019 (the year before COVID) was 4907/game. Last year under the new owner the team attracted 4065/game. Today, the average attendance is 3462/game.
The new owner is killing the IceDogs. People here in Niagara are starting not to care. Many former season ticket holders no longer even follow the team. If a new owner does not happen soon, the IceDogs will be irrelevant in Niagara. Its that bad.
Hopefully. Your right the core is very good, they just need to build around those players. I am not sure if the owner/GM has the ability to do that. If he would just spend the money to hire a decent GM, I think that would help a lot. But at this point he is not willing to spend the money.
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frontsfan67
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Wow didn’t know it was THAT bad. Just saw the headlines a couple times. Yeah it’s insane though because as soon as you guys came into the league until the Covid year you guys were one of the most successful franchises in that time period- 2 ohl finals and since Covid hit you’ve been the worst since then.
Doesn’t help though when every year or two something big goes on in the organization though whether it’s paying players or players bullying teammates.
Roobroeck, He and Czata will definitely bring in some fans though. They’re good now even when they’re young. In 2 years they’ll be that much better not to mention other players I’m sure you’ll get like maybe Adam Valentini or Braidyn Wassalyn
The owner is the gm?! That NEVER is the recipe for success oh my god
Yes, it looks like Gretzky is no longer an owner of the IceDogs. That is not really surprising. Given all the issues lately, it probably wasn't in Gretzky's best interest to remain in the ownership group.
He was officially the GM last season. Then when all the bully issues came out, the league suspended him for two years as the GM. This year his assistant GM from last year is the interim GM but the word is he is still the one making the decisions.
bobber
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Is the owner a big fat guy with a dyed blonde messy bouffant that is running for president somewhere? Sounds like the same situation.
ohloutsider
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Mark Hunter is owner and GM in London. Seems to work OK there. Warren Rychel was owner and GM when Windsor won back to back Memorial Cups. Seemed to work there. It has nothing to do with being an owner, it has everything to do with being a competent hockey person.
bobber
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ohloutsider , Rychel and Hunter played a little hockey somewhere. That helps a bit when it comes to running a hockey team.
ohloutsider
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beastintheeast
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Hey anyone here remember Flint when it started out? The owner being the GM is not a good move, although I think his staying away from the media is a VERY GOOD THING.
A lot of the teams used to go by the OHL scouting and ranking. Not the best way, and I do not think it works.
I am surprised that big Dave has not had a word with him.
There are some good guys out there if nothing else he should give both to the coach.
What OHL experience does the owner have?
ohloutsider
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OMG67
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Hypothetically speaking, the Ice Dogs don’t need a new owner. They need an Owner that hires professional hockey operations people, gives them a budget and a mandate and lets them function. He only intervenes when the budget and/or mandate is not met Or respected.
It is very possible he is incapable of doing that which would mean he should not own/operate an OHL team. But, the reality is he has been handed the reigns. We will see what unfolds over his two year suspension. I think the Boudreau’s being involved may be helpful to that situation.
It is very possible he is incapable of doing that which would mean he should not own/operate an OHL team. But, the reality is he has been handed the reigns. We will see what unfolds over his two year suspension. I think the Boudreau’s being involved may be helpful to that situation.
The owner just needs to learn and respect how the OHL operates.
Owners control the complete operation of NBA & NFL franchises; it can be done in the OHL.
Agents and scouts with greater aspirations should back off until they are either wanted or can buy a team of their own.
Owners control the complete operation of NBA & NFL franchises; it can be done in the OHL.
Agents and scouts with greater aspirations should back off until they are either wanted or can buy a team of their own.
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beastintheeast
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Yeah, if this guy was smart, he would see if Bruce can step infor a few months or until he gets another NHL call and set the team on the right course.
Not sure he was but it was a complete mess worse than Niagara at the start.
All major sports teams have managers who run the teams, make the trades, and look after things. It is just that some of the owners are more knowledable or want a larger input.
Ottawa ws like that until Killer established himself then they let him go.
He has no OHL experience. He was the owner/GM of the Brantford Jr. B and Jr. A teams until this season. He sold both franchises in the summer.
The Jr. B team was a disaster as their best season was 13 wins out of 50 games. Over nine seasons, their winning percentage was .221.
His Jr. A team had only one season above .500 and their total regular season winning percentage over the 5 seasons he owned the team was .320. (one season in Milton and four seasons in Brantford)
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bobber
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In other words money trumps all other factors when an owner decides to sell the team. No consideration to the community or fans as long as there is a big bag of cash sitting in front of someone.
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