Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[OHL4Life]

@OHL4Life I wasn't calling your track record into question, just clarifying that nothing had been released by the OHL about BB. I appreciate many of us have inside sources.

I'm curious that they can mandate he spend or he is out but he can snub his nose at a previous sanction with impunity. You'd think the OHL would have had enough of him watering down their brand. Guess sub-2000 is the next bench mark.

they won’t be releasing anything.

There may be lawsuits against the team and coach so I do t imagine they will public play give that lawsuit more info.

They can mandate because they’ve taken over the team. They have never did that before. before they just took his management tookls away, now they’ve stepped in and overseeing everything

It’s the same thing that happened to flint

 

[bigsportsfan]

Why does everyone believe bb is squeaky clean in this?

Because everyone in Niagara loves Bruce Boudreau and therefore by extension his son. When Ben was hired, fans were jumping with excitement saying we have one of the best coaches in hockey since “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”.

I have heard many fans say Ben was the best coach in IceDogs history based solely on the fact that he is Bruce’s son. I have never understood the like father, like son argument but many here in Niagara fully believe it.

 

[knowescape]

they won’t be releasing anything.

There may be lawsuits against the team and coach so I do t imagine they will public play give that lawsuit more info.

They can mandate because they’ve taken over the team. They have never did that before. before they just took his management tookls away, now they’ve stepped in and overseeing everything

It’s the same thing that happened to flint

That lack of transparency may mean the end of OHL hockey in Niagara. Fans were already leaving in droves due to the actions of The Burke Boys, and that exodus picked up steam with DD's shenanigans. If the league is holding the reigns and keeping silent, you'll see players and fans giving up on the team.

 

[Kingpin794]

That lack of transparency may mean the end of OHL hockey in Niagara. Fans were already leaving in droves due to the actions of The Burke Boys, and that exodus picked up steam with DD's shenanigans. If the league is holding the reigns and keeping silent, you'll see players and fans giving up on the team.

The average fan isn't going to care if the league airs out Niagara's dirty laundry as long as they do the following of the next few seasons:

-Get DD to sell
-Get a GM/coach team that stays in place for like 3 years
-Take a honest shot at contending with the core they built up

If they do those things over the next couple years, the crowds will come back and they'll forget about how much they may or may not have loved BB. That's how humans work. Keep them happy/give them something fun to watch and suddenly they don't care about figuring out what injustices went down.

 

[knowescape]

The average fan isn't going to care if the league airs out Niagara's dirty laundry as long as they do the following of the next few seasons:

-Get DD to sell
-Get a GM/coach team that stays in place for like 3 years
-Take a honest shot at contending with the core they built up

If they do those things over the next couple years, the crowds will come back and they'll forget about how much they may or may not have loved BB. That's how humans work. Keep them happy/give them something fun to watch and suddenly they don't care about figuring out what injustices went down.

None of the things you outlined are on the horizon. DD still owns the team No skilled GM or HC is coming to this dumpster fire. The core they built up are already looking to jump ship.

So minus those three things, crowds will continue to leave. The arena will look like a Saturday night at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre as fans tire of being the laughing stock of the league. That's how humans work. Frustrate them long enough with no hope and nothing decent to watch and over time, they move on.

 

[ScoutLife4]

I wonder how many years of operating loses DD would be able to survive if the Fans really make a push for him to sell and do not renew, stop attending.

 

[knowescape]

I wonder how many years of operating loses DD would be able to survive if the Fans really make a push for him to sell and do not renew, stop attending.

Years ago 3,000 was the line for profitability. I am betting this year Niagara will be at the 2,000 mark.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Years ago 3,000 was the line for profitability. I am betting this year Niagara will be at the 2,000 mark.

Cooperate sponsorship also has a massive affect on the attendance required for profitability.
I can see businesses not wanting to attach their name to this which would require plenty more bums in seats too.

 

[dogs777]

 

[knowescape]

Nothing should send DD packing faster than having to spend big bucks on a GM while facing an even greater reduction in ticket revenue.

 

[OHL4Life]

Burnett would be perfect, futa not at all

OHL will have final say on who gets hired

 

[dogs777]

Burnett would be perfect, futa not at all

OHL will have final say on who gets hired

Burnett would be my choice if turek isn’t available but even Futa is better than what they had surely

 

[frontsfan67]

Burnett would be perfect, futa not at all

OHL will have final say on who gets hired

Better be Burnett. If not him try the hardest to get Matt Turek but he’s prob a long shot some other team will pick him up like you said I believe in ahl

 

[dogs777]

I wonder who the name who’s team is still playing is

 

[HockeyHotTake]

Why would either go to that situation?

 

[bigsportsfan]

Years ago 3,000 was the line for profitability. I am betting this year Niagara will be at the 2,000 mark.

DD’s debt level is quite high so I could see his break even point being higher than 3000. This season three admin staff parted ways with the IceDogs and the positions were not filled, which to me indicates he is already having financial issues.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

It all depends on if he financed the purchase with debt and how much debt. Does anybody know for sure because all I ever read about that was rumour and speculation.

 

[On the Concourse]

It all depends on if he financed the purchase with debt and how much debt. Does anybody know for sure because all I ever read about that was rumour and speculation.

I think the only way you would know for sure was to read the books. Anyone who is able to read the books would never release any information. All you will read here on this subject will be speculation.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

It may have been mentioned in the media at one time or another. That is what I meant.

The cost cutting which started right away would indicate he was short funds for the operations.

 

[bigsportsfan]

I have spoken with multiple people who are with the IceDogs and 100%, his debt level is very high.

 

[the dog]

SELL THE TEAM.

 

[PuckWrangler]

Curious how Burnett's name has come up as a potential GM .... has he left Guelph? Contract up?

 

[sbpointer]

Curious how Burnett's name has come up as a potential GM .... has he left Guelph? Contract up?

Maybe Guelph is doing the OHL a solid for the good of the league...

 

[BadgerBruce]

Curious how Burnett's name has come up as a potential GM .... has he left Guelph? Contract up?

He’s got one more season (25-26) on a 3-year contract with Guelph. He’s definitely experienced with challenging ownership situations and has a longtime connection to the Branch family that goes back nearly 40 years when he installed Barclay Branch as a stick boy in Oshawa. Has Wade and Kyle in scouting roles in Guelph today. Even with the new OHL leadership, George remains well-connected and respected.

But I have no idea why he’d even consider the IceDogs gig at this point in his career.

 

[knowescape]

I think the only way you would know for sure was to read the books. Anyone who is able to read the books would never release any information. All you will read here on this subject will be speculation.

People talk, especially when they are disgruntled. True you have to take things with a grain of salt at times, but the owner's behaviour does suggest the rumours are at least somewhat accurate.