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

[aqib]

Can we stick to the topic please? I am not interested in people fighting over Coyotes. There’s a thread for that.


Anyhow, is the renovated arena going to meet NHL standard or is it lipstick on a pig like what happened to Nassau Coliseum?

Yes. Its going to be state-of-the art and is meant to lure first-tier acts. This was an effort to revive the arena not euthanize it like Nassau was.

 

[voyageur]

Not sure why Andlauer would want his minor league team over twice as far as it is now, harder to get players in on short notice.

Hamilton to Ottawa is a pretty easy travel distance. Uber would probably take it at the very least. Makes dollars and sense for Ottawa to affiliate with Hamilton, keep a rivalry with Toronto closer to their fanbase.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Hamilton to Ottawa is a pretty easy travel distance. Uber would probably take it at the very least. Makes dollars and sense for Ottawa to affiliate with Hamilton, keep a rivalry with Toronto closer to their fanbase.

No , makes no sense, it’s a 2 hour 15 minute drive atm.
About 5 1/2 -6 hours, to Hamilton

Keeping a rivalry with Toronto, is not at the top of their wish list, and Belleville is only 2 hours away from TO, not to mention that there are rumours of the Marlies moving to Hamilton.

 

[voyageur]

No , makes no sense, it’s a 2 hour 15 minute drive atm.
About 5 1/2 -6 hours, to Hamilton

Keeping a rivalry with Toronto, is not at the top of their wish list, and Belleville is only 2 hours away from TO, not to mention that there are rumours of the Marlies moving to Hamilton.

I think it's expanding their fanbase beyond the Ottawa market that would make sense and dollars, especially with a Hamilton invested owner. Belleville makes no sense, when you have a major airport in Hamilton. How many teams can directly access Hamilton without having to take another drive out of Toronto via plane. All the Canada West teams for sure, and I couldn't comment on the American cities.

 

[carjackmalone]

Hamilton to Ottawa is a pretty easy travel distance. Uber would probably take it at the very least. Makes dollars and sense for Ottawa to affiliate with Hamilton, keep a rivalry with Toronto closer to their fanbase.

It’s a six hour drive at least 8 hours if hitting GTA rush hour

 

[voyageur]

It’s a six hour drive at least 8 hours if hitting GTA rush hour

How long is a flight from Hamilton to Ottawa?

 

[Golden_Jet]

I think it's expanding their fanbase beyond the Ottawa market that would make sense and dollars, especially with a Hamilton invested owner. Belleville makes no sense, when you have a major airport in Hamilton. How many teams can directly access Hamilton without having to take another drive out of Toronto via plane. All the Canada West teams for sure, and I couldn't comment on the American cities.

You never commented on the Marlies rumours.
There way more chance of that happening. then moving a franchise that is currently only a 2 hour drive away.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

How long is a flight from Hamilton to Ottawa?

Dodgers AAA affiliate is in freaking OKC, I don't think distance between parent team and minor league team matters as much as people like tho believe.

 

[voyageur]

You never commented on the Marlies rumours.
There way more chance of that happening. then moving a franchise that is currently only a 2 hour drive away.

I haven't heard them. That's why I can't comment on them. I just know that the man who owns the junior Bulldogs is the same man who owns the Senators, so there is some applied logic there. Not sure if Andlauer has any game in the First Ontario renovations seems like he was pissed about moving his OHL team out. It does seem like he would be the guy. Not sure what Leafs would gain by moving Marlies to Hamilton. Lot easier to scout in your own backyard. 5 of the 7 Canadian teams have gone that way.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I haven't heard them. That's why I can't comment on them. I just know that the man who owns the junior Bulldogs is the same man who owns the Senators, so there is some applied logic there. Not sure if Andlauer has any game in the First Ontario renovations seems like he was pissed about moving his OHL team out. It does seem like he would be the guy. Not sure what Leafs would gain by moving Marlies to Hamilton. Lot easier to scout in your own backyard. 5 of the 7 Canadian teams have gone that way.

Here’s the thread from HFB on the rumour

Toronto Marlies moving to Hamilton in 2025-26 after renovations of the Hamilton Copps Coliseum?

forums.hfboards.com

https://thehockeynews.com/ahl/latest-news/report-the-ahl-could-be-returning-to-hamilton

The Hockey News Archive

Explore every issue of The Hockey News from 1947 to today.

archive.thehockeynews.com

There are some others from Reddit,
So it’s likely Marlies, but could be Senators with the ownership’s connections.

 

[WeaponOfChoice]

Please no. Anything but that. We've got enough Leaf crap around us

 

[the big nobody]

If I were a Hamilton resident, I reckon I wouldn't be interested in the AHL. If you couldn't deliver an NHL team to me, I'd prefer the OHL back in town the second renovations are done.

 

[stealth1]

If I were a Hamilton resident, I reckon I wouldn't be interested in the AHL. If you couldn't deliver an NHL team to me, I'd prefer the OHL back in town the second renovations are done.

The OHL didn't work that well either. People in Hamilton aren't hockey fans unless it's NHL hockey. IMO Belleville moving to Hamilton wouldn't work well cause it's Ottawa's team.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Shouldn’t a team be playing somewhere else, 19,000 seat arena seems to big for OHL or AHL.

 

[Helvigster]

Shouldn’t a team be playing somewhere else, 19,000 seat arena seems to big for OHL or AHL.

Andlauer proposed for a 5k seat arena on the Mountain a couple of years ago that was shot down by City Council

 

[Golden_Jet]

Andlauer proposed for a 5k seat arena on the Mountain a couple of years ago that was shot down by City Council

That would’ve made more sense