|
Post by Fyrdog76 on Aug 9, 2006 14:07:18 GMT -5
Ive been wondering what the future holds for the "Q" in regards to expansion or the relocating of teams. Has anyone heard any rumours of either?
|
|
|
Post by Not2wonder on Aug 9, 2006 14:22:09 GMT -5
Bathurst is staying put for awhile and so will PEI ;D
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Aug 9, 2006 14:46:43 GMT -5
I would really like to see an expansion team in Fred. I think they can support it plus it gives the East division 8 teams to qualify for the playoffs and none of this cross over garbage. I also think this would intensify some of the rivalries between the NB teams.
|
|
|
Post by Fyrdog76 on Aug 9, 2006 15:13:16 GMT -5
Fredericton would have to be the best candidate for expansion/relocation in Atlantic Canada, but the problem is that UNB owns the Aitken Center, so a deal would have to be worked out with them. Another team in Maine or somewhere else in New England would be nice to create a rival for Lewiston, but the question is where? Bangor is BlackBear country and the AHL is in almost every city in New England that could support a junior team. As far as Quebec goes, i cant understand why markets like Montreal, Trois-Rivieres, and Sherbrooke cant support a junior team, especially when you look at a team like Rimouski that do well at the gate despite having a small population.
|
|
|
Post by Sec21critic on Aug 9, 2006 16:30:20 GMT -5
Fredericton would have to be the best candidate for expansion/relocation in Atlantic Canada, but the problem is that UNB owns the Aitken Center, so a deal would have to be worked out with them. Another team in Maine or somewhere else in New England would be nice to create a rival for Lewiston, but the question is where? Bangor is BlackBear country and the AHL is in almost every city in New England that could support a junior team. As far as Quebec goes, i cant understand why markets like Montreal, Trois-Rivieres, and Sherbrooke cant support a junior team, especially when you look at a team like Rimouski that do well at the gate despite having a small population. Montreal not being able to support junior has much to do with the Habs... but also in the case of the most recent failed franchise, lacklustre ownership probably contributed heavily as well. People in Montreal who are Habs fans will probably stay at home and watch the Habs on TV instead of just going to a junior game. Sherbrooke is where franchises go to die, I think. At least two junior teams and two AHL teams have pulled out of there... and the attendance of the Faucons/Castors franchise was never anything great... of course, the franchise also seemed to be stuck in neutral for a few years. Alot of places won't support a team that never wins. Trois-Rivieres is one I question as well... they had the Draveurs for years and were one of the flagship franchises back in the day... oddly enough, I think the franchise moved to Sherbrooke and became the Faucons (later Castors). I would like to know what happened there. I also wonder if a team would ever go back, since the Q seems to be aiming towards larger markets... also, would alot of former Draveurs fans that now follow UQTR go back to watching junior right away. Remember what alot of people used to say about the Cats (and people STILL say this in Cape Breton)... "It's not the AHL". It's the same idea. Rimouski draws well because it's literally the only thing to do there.
|
|
|
Post by Cristobal Huet on Aug 9, 2006 16:36:54 GMT -5
Part of the problem in the central part of Quebec is the strong support for Semi-Pro hockey. that's what hurts franchises in the Montreal area, Trois-Riviere/Drummondville/Victo/Sherbrooke area...the Sags also had a hard time competing with it a few years back. Rimouski Quebec and gatineau are pretty much the only teams that have thrived in Quebec and they have not had any extended down periods. Rimouski has always had contenders and marquee names...at least every few years. gatineau is usually strong and Quebec is strong 2 of 3 or 3 of 4 years and Patrick has spent money lately and the fans have responded.
|
|
richy
New Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by richy on Aug 9, 2006 16:47:10 GMT -5
Rimouski draws well because it's the only teams to ........Lecavalier,Belanger,Pelletier,Sauve,Caron,Richards,Beaulieu,Vydareny,Kolnik,Rullier,Walser,Periard,Ouellet,Clowe,Bell,Y Tremblay,A Johnson,Malec,Crosby,Pouliot,Roussin,Cadieux,.........Frolik,Skokan,Tanguay,Fortier,Laroche,Gratchev,Cormier,Caron jordan,,Cornet,Neron, ect...... not that bad .What do you think?
|
|
Milo
Full Member
Posts: 373
|
Post by Milo on Aug 9, 2006 17:13:23 GMT -5
I think a franchise in Montreal's West Island could thrive if they built themselves an adequate facility. There's a huge population in the area, tons of middle-class families with lots of disposable income from the looks of it... I'm guessing lots of them would prefer havingthe Q nearby instead of the 45-minute trip downtown to see the Habs for 5 times the price.
|
|
trouty
Full Member
Newfoundland Hothead
Nattie Neighart,Trouty and Sweet Sara Stock
Posts: 344
|
Post by trouty on Aug 9, 2006 18:53:47 GMT -5
I would not rule out a team in Western Newfoundland yet,their is a group in Corner Brook i heard who are interested,thou i dont recall the names
|
|
BillD
Junior Member
Posts: 158
|
Post by BillD on Aug 9, 2006 19:58:46 GMT -5
Fredericton would have to be the best candidate for expansion/relocation in Atlantic Canada, but the problem is that UNB owns the Aitken Center, so a deal would have to be worked out with them. Another team in Maine or somewhere else in New England would be nice to create a rival for Lewiston, but the question is where? Bangor is BlackBear country and the AHL is in almost every city in New England that could support a junior team. As far as Quebec goes, i cant understand why markets like Montreal, Trois-Rivieres, and Sherbrooke cant support a junior team, especially when you look at a team like Rimouski that do well at the gate despite having a small population. Fredericton City Council has commited several million dollars on new construction and upgrading of existing hockey facilities. A new complex on the northside is currently under construction. I'm not sure of the seating capacity but it may offer an alternative to the Aikten Centre
|
|
|
Post by Cristobal Huet on Aug 9, 2006 20:20:15 GMT -5
Fredericton would have to be the best candidate for expansion/relocation in Atlantic Canada, but the problem is that UNB owns the Aitken Center, so a deal would have to be worked out with them. Another team in Maine or somewhere else in New England would be nice to create a rival for Lewiston, but the question is where? Bangor is BlackBear country and the AHL is in almost every city in New England that could support a junior team. As far as Quebec goes, i cant understand why markets like Montreal, Trois-Rivieres, and Sherbrooke cant support a junior team, especially when you look at a team like Rimouski that do well at the gate despite having a small population. Fredericton City Council has commited several million dollars on new construction and upgrading of existing hockey facilities. A new complex on the northside is currently under construction. I'm not sure of the seating capacity but it may offer an alternative to the Aikten Centre I think it's something like the 4 plex. Not big enough for Major Junior.
|
|
|
Post by Bobo_Sinclair on Aug 9, 2006 22:03:44 GMT -5
Frederiction would be a wonderful city for the Q, of that I have no doubt. I remember when the Rocket was going to move, a couple of cities made bids for the team. There was a group in Charlottetown of course, but I know there was also St-John NB and Fredericton. How do I know? Well, my mother is a translator, and both groups had her translating presentations for the Q administration on why they should go there, though at the time, I wasn't interested enough to care.
Anyways, the big thing with Fredericton is the arena. UNB will never accept to have a junior team in the Aitken Center. When the Wildcats finally took off here, Les Aigles Bleus from Université de Moncton took a pretty big hit, or so I heard (I was still in Fredericton at the time), so I doubt UNB will want that same experience.
The biggest arena Fredericton is currently building has a seating capacity of 2500, about twice the main ice in the 4-plex i believe, but still way too small for the Q. Also, Brad Woodside has already stated, though not publicly, that he believes a Q team would be a waste of money and not worth the effort.
Take it for what you want, but I think it'll be a while, if ever we see a team in New-Brunswick's capital.
|
|
|
Post by Porkchop on Aug 10, 2006 7:38:52 GMT -5
I don't think UNB would take that much of a hit..........from watching a lot of university games while going to school over there, the crowds are mostly made up of parents and students.......
|
|
|
Post by SteveUL on Aug 10, 2006 7:52:44 GMT -5
I don't think UNB would take that much of a hit..........from watching a lot of university games while going to school over there, the crowds are mostly made up of parents and students....... The problem is they'd have to play out of the same rink ... University hockey for the most part is played on the weekend which is very similar to the Q ... they might have a difficult time scheduling. In Moncton the Blue Eagles have their own rink and so scheduling is not an issue ... they often play on the same night as the Cats are at home and still get good crowds ... mostly students but also alot of alumni in the community. UNB has a strong following in Fredericton ... the Varsity Reds and Tommies is all they have had now for several years ... and a new Q team in that area might find it difficult attracting consistent crowds. Fredericton loves their University hockey.
|
|
|
Post by Cristobal Huet on Aug 10, 2006 8:15:36 GMT -5
I don't think UNB would take that much of a hit..........from watching a lot of university games while going to school over there, the crowds are mostly made up of parents and students....... UNB averages around 2300 fans at home and 2500 for playoffs, there is no way a successful Q team doesn't take a bite out of that. Last year the Cats probably cost Les Aigles 400-500 fans per game(on nights they both played), partly because they had a strong team and partly because lots of people got season tickets for the Memorial Cup.
|
|