Heard an interesting rumor this week that the Checkers were coming to Greensboro and that the Hurricanes would be moving an affiliate to Charlotte next year.
Has anyone heard anything likr this ? It was a fairly reliable source.
New Team
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 Ice Gone |
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Posts: 20 (09/04/09 07:19:27) |
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MBONDUR12 |
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Posts: 1652 (09/04/09 10:48:50) Bush Tool |
I highly doubt that what you describe will happen, at least not anytime soon. First, the Checkers have already committed themselves to Charlotte and the ECHL
for next season. They have been reasonably successful in the new arena, but if you're thinking "OK, Charlotte goes to the AHL, and Greensboro comes
back to the ECHL", all under the Hurricanes banner, I don't think that will happen either with the economy stinking the way it does currently.
Charlotte fans aren't going to like AHL ticket prices any more than Greensboro fans did in 1995.
What I see as more likely, but by no means a lock given the economy as well as the enormous size and enormous fixed expenses of the Greensboro Coliseum, is that the SPHL will become better (on the ice and off), and Greensboro gets in there at some point down the road. Minor league sports franchises have never been known as huge money makers, and the people with the big bucks necessary to pull something like this off are scrambling just like everyone else to hold on to what they have. |
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Green and Gold |
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Posts: 2481 (09/04/09 18:22:26) Rocket Scientist |
The Greensboro Checkers?? Wouldn't that be like having Barney Frank as the keynote speaker at the Republican Convention?
Seriously, I have heard that several times since we lost the Generals, but it still remains a rumor. I can see Charlotte in the AHL though, and I think they could make it work, even in this economy. They already have AHL prices, but as long as they are doing as well as they are in the ECHL, why change? The answer to that question may not bode well for Greensboro either. The "E" seems to be losing the Southern Division, and if that trend continues, Charlotte ownership may want to consider a shift to the "A." But at the same time, I wouldn't want to put a team here if the closest rivals are Gwinnett and North Charleston. I gotta agree with Mike, our best chance may be the growing and improving SPHL, but I will not complain if we were to get the "E" again. |
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MBONDUR12 |
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Posts: 1653 (09/05/09 03:58:21) Bush Tool |
Yeah, with the ECHL southern division kind of going kerflooey, I could see Charlotte jumping to the A at some point, but I could also see them staying put if
Columbia comes back like they say they will, and if somebody does something in Greenville, SC. I didn't know what the Checkers' prices were, but with
the new arena, I can see them being pretty high. As far as other places like Roanoke, Richmond, and Greensboro, and yes you've gotta throw Winston-Salem in
too, I think it's the SPHL or nothin'.
I'll personally take the crappy little hockey arena and decent hockey team I have here in Knoxville. Think of it like this. Could anyone imagine hockey in Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville? I have thought about it a few times, but then I remember the Greensboro Coliseum and how empty it looked, and I think to myself "I'll keep what I have, thank you".
Last Edited By: MBONDUR12
09/05/09 06:31:55.
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Green and Gold |
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Posts: 2482 (09/05/09 18:24:29) Rocket Scientist |
Mike, if you get a chance, you should take in a Checker's game at the Bobcat Arena, or whatever they call it. I recommend going on a weekend as well. They
seem to be doing things right, and it is a good as well as expensive experience. Of course I got freebies the last time I went... (courtesy of Chex)
I can definitely see them in the "A." |
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Ice Gone |
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Posts: 21 (09/08/09 10:47:19) |
Thanks for the input. I will keep all posted if I hear more but for now just rumors and wishfull thinking
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