OHL Expansion

[beastintheeast]

OHL green lights aggressive expansion plan

After a recent vote allowing Canadian Hockey League players to join men’s Division I NCAA hockey starting next season, one of the CHL's leagues is now eyeing expansion.

www.sportsnet.ca

This is a strange article.

Can anyone really see the USHL and OHL joining? I don't just based on travel.

When are people going to give up on the GTA and Hamilton? If people want to watch Junior hockey, they have the OJHL, which is pretty good hockey. The cost is just not with it as well as so much going on in the city

With the low attendance and fact that Hamilton could not handle it where in Ontario could you see an expansion team or do you think it would all be expanding to Upper NY, Pen Michigan

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[EvenSteven]

The only USHL cities a see possible based on travel is the already much talked about Youngstown and Muskegon. The rest of that league is too far west.

So if they were included, plus two Ontario based teams.

Not sure there’s a city in NY state.

Four teams may be biting off more than they can chew.

In Ontario, once the Steelhead franchise is sorted out, Belleville would work if their AHL team is moved out of the way.

 

[coolhandluc44]

I posted this in the NCAA/CHL thread so I figured I post this hear too

I have a crazy Toronto expansion idea

1. The team is plays out of Varisty arena at the University of Toronto. I know the arena needs a renovation, but imagine nice new seats, video board and lighting etc. The Brantford Civic Centre was a dump before the renovations happened for the Bulldogs so anything is possible. I have never been to this facility so I don't know the shape but it looks like it can hold about 4000. Maybe you even call the team the Toronto Varsity Blues, maybe have a student band section and try to market it like it where an NCAA team in the OHL.
2. The teams plays out of the old Maple Leaf Gardens. I know this venue is on the really small size (I believe 2600 capacity). Maybe there is a way you could get 400 more bodies in there to make it 3000. Maybe call the team the Arena's or St Pats. You would try and get fans the allure of seeing competitive hockey back at Maple Leaf Gardens

I think if the Toronto market is going to work, maybe have the team in city and market it to the hockey fans living in the city, university and college students and the not the suburbs. Toronto would not be my preferred choice, but if you’re going to try it try something abstract. Other option of course is if the Toronto Marlies ever left you put an OHL team there and call them the Marlies, just like what they did with the Hamilton Bulldogs.

 

[Kingpin794]

My impression from Friedman was that SOME people want 4 teams right away but that 2 is the more likely thing. Youngstown and Muskegon come in next season. Toronto and Belleville as a 5 year plan. 4 teams in 5 seasons would be rapid/aggressive in my book.

 

[OMG67]

My impression from Friedman was that SOME people want 4 teams right away but that 2 is the more likely thing. Youngstown and Muskegon come in next season. Toronto and Belleville as a 5 year plan. 4 teams in 5 seasons would be rapid/aggressive in my book.

Plus Burlington and maybe Cornwall

 

[EvenSteven]

I’d try out Cornwall, Chatham or Burlington ahead of another Toronto team. They’d probably double the attendance that any Toronto team would draw with their eyes closed.