Bmwolf21 Posted April 9, 2008 Report Posted April 9, 2008 OK, so not Glens Falls. An OHL team in Erie isn't a big impediment, IMO. Hell, put them in Niagara Falls, ON. That population is the same size as the Scranton-Wilkes Barre area. Between NF, St. Catharine's, Welland and Fort Erie there's plenty of population to go to the games without hurting the Sabres draw. They need a new building anyway and they can use the casino money to pay for it. I don't think an OHL team in Erie would be a big impediment either, and putting an AHL team there would create some good regional rivalries - you'd have Cleveland (Lake Erie Monsters) and Rochester both within 2-hour drives, and expanding out further there are three other teams in Pennsylvania - the Philly Phantoms, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hershey Bears; plus you'd have a shot at expanding the Sabres' market somewhat. So yeah, I think Erie should be considered if they decide to buy the dormant franchise and plop it somewhere. Niagara Falls, ON - the only question would be where to play. The IceDogs (OHL) play up in St. Catharines and I don't think the Niagara Falls Memorial Arena (currently used by the NF Canucks of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey league) would suit an AHL team, but the city is talking about replacing it.
X. Benedict Posted April 9, 2008 Report Posted April 9, 2008 I don't think an OHL team in Erie would be a big impediment either.... The Otters average about 4000 a night. Do you think there are another 5000 hockey fans in Erie?
Bmwolf21 Posted April 9, 2008 Report Posted April 9, 2008 The Otters average about 4000 a night. Do you think there are another 5000 hockey fans in Erie? I don't know. They have a metro area of around 280,000, so like most minor league sports I'd say attendance would depend on the entertainment value.
Claude Balls Posted April 9, 2008 Author Report Posted April 9, 2008 ITT or Devry? The Foreman Center.
X. Benedict Posted April 10, 2008 Report Posted April 10, 2008 So they get 4k a night for third or 4th tier hockey and you think that's unusual? Actually I do think it is impressive. Beyond that, I don't think anything, that's why I am asking.
grinreaper Posted April 10, 2008 Report Posted April 10, 2008 Actually I do think it is impressive.Beyond that, I don't think anything, that's why I am asking. The Erie Civic Arena only holds about 5500 for hockey.
X. Benedict Posted April 10, 2008 Report Posted April 10, 2008 The Erie Civic Arena only holds about 5500 for hockey. That probably isn't good. I like Donner's veiled threat to move the Amerks out of Rochester. That would allow for Buffalo to move a team in.
frisky Posted April 10, 2008 Report Posted April 10, 2008 Well, at least we know now that they already have made an agreement with someone for next year. I'm still betting on Portland.
Wild Jay Posted April 10, 2008 Report Posted April 10, 2008 Well, at least we know now that they already have made an agreement with someone for next year. I'm still betting on Portland. I only heard bits and pieces of today's news conference and that WGR 550 round table later on, what did they have to say on the subject of their affiliation for next season? Also did Darcy happen to mentioned anything about signing guys like Kennedy, Gerbe, & Butler from the college ranks?
rbochan Posted April 11, 2008 Report Posted April 11, 2008 I only heard bits and pieces of today's news conference and that WGR 550 round table later on, what did they have to say on the subject of their affiliation for next season? They said they had a new affiliation locked up, but they couldn't announce with whom until that team is ready to announce it as well. Also did Darcy happen to mentioned anything about signing guys like Kennedy, Gerbe, & Butler from the college ranks? Not from what I heard/read.
carpandean Posted April 12, 2008 Report Posted April 12, 2008 I like Donner's veiled threat to move the Amerks out of Rochester. That would allow for Buffalo to move a team in. Didn't Duffy basically say "he can try, but the AHL would have to approve it, which they won't, and even if they did, there'd be another team ready to move in there." Duffy is holding the Ace and King of Spades, with the 10, Jack and Queen of Spades on the flop, but Donner is still trying to bluff with his 2-7 off suit (worst hand in Texas Hold 'Em.)
tom webster Posted April 12, 2008 Report Posted April 12, 2008 I only heard bits and pieces of today's news conference and that WGR 550 round table later on, what did they have to say on the subject of their affiliation for next season? Also did Darcy happen to mentioned anything about signing guys like Kennedy, Gerbe, & Butler from the college ranks? He said they have talked to Kennedy and Butler's reps but obviously can't talk to Gerbe till his season is over.
Bmwolf21 Posted April 12, 2008 Report Posted April 12, 2008 Didn't Duffy basically say "he can try, but the AHL would have to approve it, which they won't, and even if they did, there'd be another team ready to move in there." Duffy is holding the Ace and King of Spades, with the 10, Jack and Queen of Spades on the flop, but Donner is still trying to bluff with his 2-7 off suit (worst hand in Texas Hold 'Em.) Sounds like a ray of light at the end of the tunnel in today's D&C: That loan began as an equity investment of $500,000 and enabled Steve Donner to buy the Amerks from the Buffalo Sabres 13 years ago for $1.25 million. Then not long after the deal was completed, the city realized the equity investment was illegal and the money became a loan. Immediate payback was not necessarily required, however. That has been Donner's contention all along, and Tom Richards, corporate counsel for the city, confirmed that earlier in the week. The loan was allowed to be extended through the life of the team's lease at the War Memorial, with interest accruing (it's over $600,000 now). The loan can again be extended through any subsequent leases provided Donner is controlling owner. But if Styres becomes the majority owner, the loan comes due when the lease expires on June 30, Richards said. City officials say the Amerks won't get a new lease if Donner is anything but a minority owner.
R_Dudley Posted April 12, 2008 Report Posted April 12, 2008 Okay but it sounds like it still means no Sabres Amerks afiliation no matter what happens for the up and coming season and that unfortunately is a bad thing IMO. I am very curious about who and where this is going to be.... They said they had a new affiliation locked up, but they couldn't announce with whom until that team is ready to announce it as well.
Claude Balls Posted April 12, 2008 Author Report Posted April 12, 2008 Okay but it sounds like it still means no Sabres Amerks afiliation no matter what happens for the up and coming season and that unfortunately is a bad thing IMO. I am very curious about who and where this is going to be.... Rumor has it Portland for Buffalo. Portland, Maine that is, because this being Buffalo and all I'm sure Portland, Oregon wouldn't surprise some people around here. Florida wants to be the sole parent team of the Amerks. I don't like that just because of the distance and now I will be forced to like watching Florida play as well.
bottlecap Posted April 14, 2008 Report Posted April 14, 2008 Florida wants to be the sole parent team of the Amerks. buffalo should be the sole parent team of the Amerks, period, end of story.
nobody Posted April 15, 2008 Report Posted April 15, 2008 "The most productive and entertaining college hockey player this season apparently is headed to the AHL one year too late for Rochester Americans fans. ... Assuming Gerbe signs, he is expected to begin his pro career in the AHL next season. Unfortunately for Rochester fans, he'll likely be with the Portland Pirates, Buffalo's new affiliate." http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/p...S0101/804140319
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