OVG's plans for FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario could include an AHL team.

[TheLegend]

OVG's FirstOntario Centre renovation includes 10 novel floor suites

Oak View Group's renovation of the FirstOntario Centre will include 10 floor suites that combine bunker suite privacy with direct visual access to the seating bowl.

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

"EllisDon is building the renovation, which broke ground in May. FirstOntario Centre’s design and existence is heavily focused on live music and entertainment, but Pistore said the venue will have at least one, maybe two, minor league pro sports tenants. OVG is in conversations with the American Hockey League about a new team in Hamilton, with an announcement expected early next year, Pistore said. "


First question is OVG already owns the Coachella Valley Firebirds and its arena... so would an AHL playing there under another ownership be the target??

Click to read more...

 

[hockeyguy0022]

OVG is also a named mentioned in Saskatoon in funding for the new arena for revenue streams/booking rights over XX years.

They are making moves in all the secondary markets it appears.

 

[WeaponOfChoice]

No thanks AHL. It's NHL or bust

 

[dj4aces]

"EllisDon is building the renovation, which broke ground in May. FirstOntario Centre’s design and existence is heavily focused on live music and entertainment, but Pistore said the venue will have at least one, maybe two, minor league pro sports tenants. OVG is in conversations with the American Hockey League about a new team in Hamilton, with an announcement expected early next year, Pistore said. "

I'm not entirely familiar with the Hamilton relationship with the AHL in the past. Was it very successful before? Why did they move?

 

[TheLegend]

I'm not entirely familiar with the Hamilton relationship with the AHL in the past. Was it very successful before? Why did they move?

Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[stealth1]

No thanks AHL. It's NHL or bust

That's exactly why hockey teams have issues being successful in Hamilton. Same reason it doesn't work in the Toronto area. People only want NHL level

 

[No Fun Shogun]

An NHL or bust mentality seems to me to be the epitome of letting perfection be the enemy of good.

That being said, would the AHL be better supported than the OHL there? I could've sworn that there was genuine excitement the last time the Bulldogs closed their AHL ops and changed into an OHL team.

 

[dj4aces]

Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I... was hoping for accounts from folks in and around Hamilton, with regards to folks both here and in other parts of the boards who say they only want the NHL in Hamilton and would accept nothing less. If that's a general consensus amongst folks in and around Hamilton, why would the AHL award a franchise to a prospective owner there?