OT: Winnipeg ICE sold - Moving to Wenatchee, Washington renamed Wenatchee Wild

[RetroWinnipeg]

Winnipeg Ice radio broadcaster, CFRW, shutting down.

Jun 2023: Bell cuts 1,300 jobs, shutters six radio stations

TORONTO – BCE Inc. is cutting 1,300 positions, shutting or selling nine radio stations and closing two foreign bureaus as the company plans to “significantly adapt” how it delivers t...

www.winnipegfreepress.com

 

[Al Camino]

For those who may have forgotten, the Winnipeg Freeze's sole reason for existence was to provide balanced divisions for what quickly turned into a failed 2020-21 MJHL season. The Freeze were literally created out of thin air weeks before the season started, and it showed in their putrid showings over the past three years.

I forgot about that. I wonder if they end up moving or just going away as there is an odd number again with the addition of Niverville. Not sure where they could move them to. Do they give Beausejour another try?

 

[jetsmooseice]

Winnipeg Ice radio broadcaster, CFRW, shutting down.

Jun 2023: Bell cuts 1,300 jobs, shutters six radio stations

TORONTO – BCE Inc. is cutting 1,300 positions, shutting or selling nine radio stations and closing two foreign bureaus as the company plans to “significantly adapt” how it delivers t...

www.winnipegfreepress.com

Interesting. I wonder what it means for ICE broadcasts? Do they keep the arrangement more or less as is and just move it on over to another Bell station like BOUNCE FM? Or do they go to online streaming only? I think there is at least one WHL team that is strictly online, possibly more.

I seldom listen to ICE PxP since I'm usually at the game or watching WHL Live, but the odd time I do catch the call I am always impressed with Brian Munz and Kevin Olszewski. Very professionally done with good pregame and postgame coverage.

 

[trebendan]

Winnipeg Ice radio broadcaster, CFRW, shutting down.

Jun 2023: Bell cuts 1,300 jobs, shutters six radio stations

TORONTO – BCE Inc. is cutting 1,300 positions, shutting or selling nine radio stations and closing two foreign bureaus as the company plans to “significantly adapt” how it delivers t...

www.winnipegfreepress.com

Sorry to see it go. Always hoped TSN 1290 would come back.

 

[Al Camino]

Sorry to see it go. Always hoped TSN 1290 would come back.

I always found the issue with 1290 was content. Replaying the 8 am hour, play 20-30 straight minutes of coaches media scrum made for not great radio. I do find it amazing that these new found independent shows suddenly are a little more critical and honest with their opinions without access anymore.

 

[10Ducky10]

I heard the Ice are moving to Chilliwack.

 

[gojetsgo]

 

[CorgisPer60]

When you don't keep your promises, there are consequences. Sucks for the fan base.

 

[MardyBum]

Yeah not really surprising.

 

[None]

Did we ever actually learn what tanked the relationship between 50 Below and The Rink that sunk the arena? I can't even remember what the arena was supposed to be.

 

[snowkiddin]

ICE were fun for a few years here but this is pretty unsurprising. Bit of a bummer but the arena was in a terrible spot for me to get to regularly. Guess I’m back to following the Wheat Kings.

 

[tbcwpg]

Red Deer can begin disappointing me again.

 

[Tom ServoMST3K]

I'm a little surprised they're moving this late in the year.

Winnipeg Ice radio broadcaster, CFRW, shutting down.

Jun 2023: Bell cuts 1,300 jobs, shutters six radio stations

TORONTO – BCE Inc. is cutting 1,300 positions, shutting or selling nine radio stations and closing two foreign bureaus as the company plans to “significantly adapt” how it delivers t...

www.winnipegfreepress.com

I would have given a comedy radio station a chance, but I never tuned in because I'd see 1290 on the dial and just get sad.

 

[superdeluxe]

This sucks so much, I’m sorry guys :/

 

[jetsmooseice]

I guess no one is shocked by this news, but I am a little surprised by how late in the game it's coming. There won't be much time to get established in their new town before the season starts. I figured that by this point a "farewell tour" was pretty well a given.

Also, do the local media guys ever break anything anymore? Once again it's an insider from elsewhere with a scoop, after months of nothing from the local media.

 

[Tom ServoMST3K]

I guess no one is shocked by this news, but I am a little surprised by how late in the game it's coming. There won't be much time to get established in their new town before the season starts.

Also, do the local media guys ever break anything anymore? Once again it's an insider from elsewhere with a scoop, after months of nothing.

50 below was locked up tight on this one - couldn't get a peep out of them even just to say "no comment"

I wonder if Munz even knew.

Clearly this news is coming out of Washington.

 

[cbcwpg]

The Western Hockey League's Winnipeg Ice have been sold to businessman David White and will move to Wenatchee, Washington

I still question why they even moved to Winnipeg, when it appears there was no hope for getting the arena built.

 

[jetsmooseice]

The WHL has effectively poisoned its well in Winnipeg. It's hard to imagine it being warmly received here anytime soon unless the arena issue is firmly solved one way or another BEFORE the puck is dropped.

Seems foolish on their part to do that in one of the largest cities in the WHL region, but I guess that's why Robison gets paid the big bucks.

 

[macmaroon]

ICE were fun for a few years here but this is pretty unsurprising. Bit of a bummer but the arena was in a terrible spot for me to get to regularly. Guess I’m back to following the Wheat Kings.

Still got my Wheat Kings gear in my closet. May have to go back and take a few trips out to Brandon to see them again...

 

[jetsmooseice]

Still got my Wheat Kings gear in my closet. May have to go back and take a few trips out to Brandon to see them again...

I don't know who I will adopt but chances are it will be one of the Sask teams. I loved watching Moose Jaw with their super exciting core of young stars that is very ICE-like. Regina has a certain original six-like mystique to it. Saskatoon is another inspiring team that has some great players and the always enjoyable Les Lazaruk.

 

[MelikeJets]

When you don't keep your promises, there are consequences. Sucks for the fan base.

Sad news. I enjoyed going to ICE. games

 

[HellebuyckOurSaviour]

I forgot about that. I wonder if they end up moving or just going away as there is an odd number again with the addition of Niverville. Not sure where they could move them to. Do they give Beausejour another try?

I'm very surprised that they don't move the Winnipeg Freeze to Brandon? Instant rivalry with Virden/Neepawa and plus Brandon produces many very good young hockey players. Their U18 and U17 AAA teams are usually very good.

 

[nobody imp0rtant]

The WHL has effectively poisoned its well in Winnipeg. It's hard to imagine it being warmly received here anytime soon unless the arena issue is firmly solved one way or another BEFORE the puck is dropped.

Seems foolish on their part to do that in one of the largest cities in the WHL region, but I guess that's why Robison gets paid the big bucks.

The fault here is 100% on the ICE owners for not getting the job done. You can't expect the WHL to allow a team to play in an arena like that indefinitely.

Guess it's back to cheering for my "second home", Moose Jaw. I would never, ever cheer for Brandon.

 

[jetsmooseice]

The fault here is 100% on the ICE owners for not getting the job done. You can't expect the WHL to allow a team to play in an arena like that indefinitely.

Guess it's back to cheering for my "second home", Moose Jaw. I would never, ever cheer for Brandon.

Why couldn't the ICE play in Wayne Fleming indefinitely, though? If the arena doesn't make a ton of money, then that's the ICE's owners problem to deal with. Wayne Fleming obviously wasn't perfect for the Dub but it's not like it was fundamentally different from the rinks in SC/PA which have been in use for decades. The ICE were building up a fan base and I personally appreciated the intimate environment. I'm just glad I didn't have to pay the bills for that setup.

I agree with your last point though, I think I'd have a hard time cheering for Brandon too

 

[Guardian17]

This is disappointing news, but, not surprising.

I went to Winnipeg Warriors games as a kid so I have a fondness for junior hockey.

I've attended a dozen ICE games and enjoyed the product, but, the arena was definitely lacking.

I'm not supporting another WHL team in Winnipeg unless they build a building first.

WHL Winnipeg Ice sold and will be moved to Washington | TSN

The Western Hockey League's Winnipeg Ice have been sold to businessman David White and will move to Wenatchee, Washington, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.

www.tsn.ca

Dreger Report: The Winnipeg Ice have been sold and will move to Washington State – Illegal Curve Hockey

The TSN insider is reporting that the local WHL club has been sold.

illegalcurve.com