Two USHL joining the OHL

[OMG67]

I'd have to say Belleville and Cornwall would both be top choices.
That Cornwall arena it likely looking at 50-100M to make it a proper entertainment venue for Hockey.
I really don't see OHL entertaining anything there until some type of construction plan is approved / going forward.

Belleville by most indications will have a vacant arena after the 2027 season that is perfect for OHL.
Realistically you are likely only seeing around 2000-2500 attendance out of either of those cities.

I am not sure your estimated attendance is accurate. Mississauga averaged 2400 last year (last place). I think they should be relatively on par with communities like Peterborough and North Bay. I think they are more likely to be in that 2800-3200 range. I think the 2000-2500 would be accurate in the down seasons maybe where the team is not winning much.

I think the key is to make sure they both have access to Private Boxes and VIOP seating where higher revenue can be generated. If they can ensure the community gobbles up those seating options, even 2500 wouldn't be bad.

 

[Donnie740]

I like the idea of the OHL returning to Cornwall, but it’s nowhere close to having the economic viability of Belleville.

Not sure how many of you have been to Cornwall lately, but it’s a very depressed little town with limited economic upside in the foreseeable future.

In comparison, Belleville benefits from the development boom currently happening in Picton which is about a 15min drive away. Everywhere you look there’s a new subdivision going up. One look at the stores in downtown Picton and you can see the demographic.

 

[ScoutLife4]

I like the idea of the OHL returning to Cornwall, but it’s nowhere close to having the economic viability of Belleville.

Not sure how many of you have been to Cornwall lately, but it’s a very depressed little town with limited economic upside in the foreseeable future.

In comparison, Belleville benefits from the development boom currently happening in Picton which is about a 15min drive away. Everywhere you look there’s a new subdivision going up. One look at the stores in downtown Picton and you can see the demographic.

The issue is the people in the Picton area don’t really support Belleville hockey. (It’s a 30-35 min drive not 15)
Most of them support the JR A team that’s close (wellington)

Belleville Senators barelly get 2K and only really hit the 3K if Toronto is in town.
The second game of the season 2 weeks ago had 1600 fans on a Sunday afternoon and about 600 of them didn’t even attend.

The home opener they had to give away 500 tickets and still only had 3100 fans.
So I’d say my 2500 is pretty bang on for Belleville and probably even a over estimate.
I’m not of the belief an Ohl team is going to draw more than an Ahl team is. Thats just insanity.

 

[OMG67]

The issue is the people in the Picton area don’t really support Belleville hockey. (It’s a 30-35 min drive not 15)
Most of them support the JR A team that’s close (wellington)

Belleville Senators barelly get 2K and only really hit the 3K if Toronto is in town.
The second game of the season 2 weeks ago had 1600 fans on a Sunday afternoon and about 600 of them didn’t even attend.

The home opener they had to give away 500 tickets and still only had 3100 fans.
So I’d say my 2500 is pretty bang on for Belleville and probably even a over estimate.
I’m not of the belief an Ohl team is going to draw more than an Ahl team is. Thats just insanity.

So no chance hockey of any significant kind returns to Belleville. Why would the Steelheads move for same/similar attendance? They go from being the least amount of attendance in the league to the least amount of attendance in the league.