Bring Back The Whale!!!

[robm324]

I agree that AEG would mostly be looking to simply run the arena...that is a business I know they are looking to expand even further to take a bite out of Global Spectrum's business. I was mainly responding to some of the info in the Courant article that spoke about AEG's hockey ownership situation. I think the thought could be that AEG would want to partner with Larry on owning the team. I don't know if this is really the case though.

Anyway, the Wolf Pack control the territory rights to Connecticut. One of the reasons I thought the CDA was going to go with the MSG bid was because a source that I have (I know its lame to give a vauge source, I apologize) had mentioned that MSG might vindictively move the team to Mohegan if they didn't get the bid. That may have been an idle threat, because I think that may have hit the newspapers if that was a reality.

[MadVlad]

I agree that AEG would mostly be looking to simply run the arena...that is a business I know they are looking to expand even further to take a bite out of Global Spectrum's business. I was mainly responding to some of the info in the Courant article that spoke about AEG's hockey ownership situation. I think the thought could be that AEG would want to partner with Larry on owning the team. I don't know if this is really the case though.

Anyway, the Wolf Pack control the territory rights to Connecticut. One of the reasons I thought the CDA was going to go with the MSG bid was because a source that I have (I know its lame to give a vauge source, I apologize) had mentioned that MSG might vindictively move the team to Mohegan if they didn't get the bid. That may have been an idle threat, because I think that may have hit the newspapers if that was a reality.

Wouldn't Mohegan be a borderline infringement on the Providence market? And if they move there, would that still be the Hartford market? Springfield is closer than Mohegan and they are a separate market....

[whalerscomehome]

Wouldn't Mohegan be a borderline infringement on the Providence market? And if they move there, would that still be the Hartford market? Springfield is closer than Mohegan and they are a separate market....

Mohegan Sun arena does not have the infrastructure necessary to support an ice surface. Remember that an ice arena is larger than basketball and MSA is suited for basketball. America West Arena in Phoenix had the same issue. It was built for hoops and when the Coyotes moved there, they had about 2000 obstructed view seats.

In addition, there is no freezing component or chillers in the floor of MSA. It won't happen.

The WP are likely to stay in Hartford for one or two years max to give both sides time. MSG to find a new home and Larry time to find a new AHL team.

[robm324]

Wouldn't Mohegan be a borderline infringement on the Providence market? And if they move there, would that still be the Hartford market? Springfield is closer than Mohegan and they are a separate market....

Territories in the AHL are set up pretty much on a case by case basis. When Worcester, for instance, got a team back for this season, the territories were completely redrawn between Springfield, Providence and Manchester. As far as I know, and I am not certain, Hartford has territory rights to Northern and eastern Connecticut, while Bridgeport has Fairfield and New Haven Counties. It always seemed to me that teams could be places pretty much wherever an owner desired as long as a deal was worked out with any team that might claim the territory.

[beerbeer]

Mohegan Sun arena does not have the infrastructure necessary to support an ice surface. Remember that an ice arena is larger than basketball and MSA is suited for basketball. America West Arena in Phoenix had the same issue. It was built for hoops and when the Coyotes moved there, they had about 2000 obstructed view seats.

In addition, there is no freezing component or chillers in the floor of MSA. It won't happen.

The WP are likely to stay in Hartford for one or two years max to give both sides time. MSG to find a new home and Larry time to find a new AHL team.

Don't worry about the Mohegan Sun having enough money to alter their rink. That won't be a problem.

[Lowerdeck]

Territories in the AHL are set up pretty much on a case by case basis. When Worcester, for instance, got a team back for this season, the territories were completely redrawn between Springfield, Providence and Manchester. As far as I know, and I am not certain, Hartford has territory rights to Northern and eastern Connecticut, while Bridgeport has Fairfield and New Haven Counties. It always seemed to me that teams could be places pretty much wherever an owner desired as long as a deal was worked out with any team that might claim the territory.

Bridgeport: Fairfield and New Haven counties

Hartford: Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, most of New London, Tolland and western Windham counties

Providence: whatever Hartford and Worcester don't get from New London and Windham

Worcester: north and east in Windham County

That's my best guess.

[whalerscomehome]

Don't worry about the Mohegan Sun having enough money to alter their rink. That won't be a problem.

I agree that they have the money. But I don't think they will invest that kind of money in renovating their arena for an AHL team. The return on their investment would not be worth it.

[HartfordTycoon]

Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the Whalers' final game in Hartford. Here's to hoping for the best as we press on in our efforts to return major leauge sports to Hartford.

Hartford Courant: Mall Sadness

Mall Sadness

As City Goes Shopping For Another NHL Team, Loss Still Lingers

By PAUL DOYLE{sodEmoji.|}Courant Staff Writer

April 13 2007

Where were you 10 years ago today?

It was a Sunday and there was a National Hockey League game at the Civic Center. It was the 710th NHL game in Hartford.

It was also the last.

The NHL's final page in Hartford was a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The horn marking the end of an era sounded at 4 p.m. Brass Bonanza was played as exit music. The 15,635 at The Mall sent the franchise off with a rousing ovation and a fair amount of tears.

Some are still crying. Many are still angry.

Most are still dreaming.

BRING BACK THE WHALE!!!

[MadVlad]

Amen

[drc72]

The article brought back a lot of memories..... It's amazing that ten years has already gone by without the Whale.

[HartfordTycoon]

Deal Is Done: Pack Staying

Madison Square Garden and a group headed by Hartford real estate developer Larry Gottesdiener will announce a multiyear deal today to keep the Wolf Pack in Hartford, according to sources close to the negotiations.

Courant Article

[robm324]

Deal Is Done: Pack Staying

Madison Square Garden and a group headed by Hartford real estate developer Larry Gottesdiener will announce a multiyear deal today to keep the Wolf Pack in Hartford, according to sources close to the negotiations.

Courant Article

Looks like common sense reigned on this one. NYR has always liked having it's farm team close, and Hartford makes the most sense for them. Plus, I'm pretty certain that if they did try to move to Glens Falls NY or something like that then the only hockey Larry G would have been able to get for next season would have been ECHL at best.

Although I am still really interested in seeing in the short term what a new AHL franchise, starting from scratch and learning from the marketing troubles and mistakes of the pack, could have accomplished in the city of Hartford. I think Hartford has the potential to be a 7500 fan per night city (And I'm sure a sell out every night with an NHL team in the city).

[drc72]

Deal Is Done: Pack Staying

Madison Square Garden and a group headed by Hartford real estate developer Larry Gottesdiener will announce a multiyear deal today to keep the Wolf Pack in Hartford, according to sources close to the negotiations.

Courant Article

Well at least the HCC won't be empty.....

[robm324]

I guess at this point many have seen that the fact that the Wolf Pack are staying is officially official with the Press conference yesterday afternoon on Trumbull St.

I like how Larry speaks about taking full business control over the situation. That is enough to convince me to support this team. I haven't refused to support the pack, but like most, I also haven't done much in the way of supporting it. I have always had trouble supportuing such an overt New York entity. I can't even say how excited I am about the fact that New York's mini take over of Hartford sports is starting to retreat. It would be great to see this team get back to 7500 in average attendance. That wouldn't hurt in the effort to attract the NHL.

It is almost as if in some small way, by maybe going to one or two more games a year everyone can have a small impact on rebuilding the hockey market in Hartford, and that it is going to some greater purpose. This may not be entirely true, but its closer to true with Northland/AEG running the show over MSG.

Courant Story on Yesterday's Press Conference

Here's a link to Jeff Jacobs article on the situation. As usual I agree with most of what he says, but our end goal is the same. Jacobs always strikes me as very arrogant, thats all. Anyway, he puts together a decent assessment on yesterday's announcement.

Jacobs Courant article from 5/30/07

[drc72]

I guess at this point many have seen that the fact that the Wolf Pack are staying is officially official with the Press conference yesterday afternoon on Trumbull St.

I like how Larry speaks about taking full business control over the situation. That is enough to convince me to support this team. I haven't refused to support the pack, but like most, I also haven't done much in the way of supporting it. I have always had trouble supportuing such an overt New York entity. I can't even say how excited I am about the fact that New York's mini take over of Hartford sports is starting to retreat. It would be great to see this team get back to 7500 in average attendance. That wouldn't hurt in the effort to attract the NHL.

It is almost as if in some small way, by maybe going to one or two more games a year everyone can have a small impact on rebuilding the hockey market in Hartford, and that it is going to some greater purpose. This may not be entirely true, but its closer to true with Northland/AEG running the show over MSG.

Courant Story on Yesterday's Press Conference

Here's a link to Jeff Jacobs article on the situation. As usual I agree with most of what he says, but our end goal is the same. Jacobs always strikes me as very arrogant, thats all. Anyway, he puts together a decent assessment on yesterday's announcement.

Jacobs Courant article from 5/30/07

Without a new arena where stuck... I wish the State would get going on this.

[whalerscomehome]

Without a new arena where stuck... I wish the State would get going on this.

I agree. With a new arena, Hartford has a shot at the NHL when it expands again...most likely in 5 years...by two teams. I for one will go to more WP games.

[robm324]

So I'm sure by now everyone has noticed that Ronnie Franchise has been elected into the Hall of Fame....

Congratulations, Ron!

[drc72]

So I'm sure by now everyone has noticed that Ronnie Franchise has been elected into the Hall of Fame....

Congratulations, Ron!

He deserves it... He was always a classy guy, a great player, and most of all he loved Hartford.

[MadVlad]

What a class!! Al MacInnis, Ronnie Franchise, Mark Messier, and Scott Stevens. Imagine that penalty kill....

[drc72]

I read in The Middletown Press the other day that the state allocated $250,000 in this years budget to study the possibility of having a new arena built in Hartford. WHAT'S THERE TO STUDY??????? IT'S OBVIOUS THAT WE NEED IT!!! Use the $250,000 towards the new arena instead.

[Theophrastus Bombastus]

Well, we can add probably another 10 years to landing a team... get in line behind KC and now LV. And don't give me the "the NHL would NEVER put a team in Vegas because of gambling" argument - it's gonna happen with the NBA (do they even put lines on NHL games anymore in Vegas???).

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2986775

Vegas, baby? Arena envisioned to draw pro team to city

Associated Press

Updated: August 22, 2007, 10:49 PM ET

LAS VEGAS -- Casino giant Harrah's Entertainment Inc. announced Wednesday that it will partner with AEG, the company that brought David Beckham to the Los Angeles Galaxy, to build a 20,000-seat arena in Las Vegas capable of housing an NBA or NHL team.

The $500 million arena, behind the Bally's and Paris hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, is projected to open in 2010. It's a step toward attracting a pro sports franchise to a city that has tried to persuade reluctant league officials to look past its legalized sports betting.

[HartfordTycoon]

Well, we can add probably another 10 years to landing a team... get in line behind KC and now LV. And don't give me the "the NHL would NEVER put a team in Vegas because of gambling" argument - it's gonna happen with the NBA (do they even put lines on NHL games anymore in Vegas???).

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2986775

Vegas, baby? Arena envisioned to draw pro team to city

Associated Press

Updated: August 22, 2007, 10:49 PM ET

LAS VEGAS -- Casino giant Harrah's Entertainment Inc. announced Wednesday that it will partner with AEG, the company that brought David Beckham to the Los Angeles Galaxy, to build a 20,000-seat arena in Las Vegas capable of housing an NBA or NHL team.

The $500 million arena, behind the Bally's and Paris hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, is projected to open in 2010. It's a step toward attracting a pro sports franchise to a city that has tried to persuade reluctant league officials to look past its legalized sports betting.

Local ownership will still be key. KC did not have a local owner lined up. I'm sure Vegas won't have a problem there. The key is still getting our arena built before pro sports or just to improve what we already have.

[drc72]

Well, we can add probably another 10 years to landing a team... get in line behind KC and now LV. And don't give me the "the NHL would NEVER put a team in Vegas because of gambling" argument - it's gonna happen with the NBA (do they even put lines on NHL games anymore in Vegas???).

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2986775

Vegas, baby? Arena envisioned to draw pro team to city

Associated Press

Updated: August 22, 2007, 10:49 PM ET

LAS VEGAS -- Casino giant Harrah's Entertainment Inc. announced Wednesday that it will partner with AEG, the company that brought David Beckham to the Los Angeles Galaxy, to build a 20,000-seat arena in Las Vegas capable of housing an NBA or NHL team.

The $500 million arena, behind the Bally's and Paris hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, is projected to open in 2010. It's a step toward attracting a pro sports franchise to a city that has tried to persuade reluctant league officials to look past its legalized sports betting.

Well even with this news Hartford still has a shot, but DAMM we need a new arena built to make it possible!!!

[shwoz]

I think with the gambling problems like Mike Vick and the dog fighting scandal,Rick Tocchet,the NBA ref and the NBA All-Star game fiasco last winter no sane league commish would dare touch Vegas.

[Mr. Brass Bonanza]

I can't see a team ever going to Vegas, either.