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Post by ohl on May 12, 2007 9:47:18 GMT -5
I keep reading on this site, many people who for whatever reason are very negative and write about all these scenarios as to how and why the Ice Dogs, are not coming. Just a little update for you. The St Michaels Majors are hosting a function on June 6 (day after board meeting) inviting all returning players, new draft picks and parents to the Hershey Centre, to unveil there new facility, also the Hersher Cnetre is under renovations as we speak to accomodate the new Majors office. So what do you think is going to happen here fellas. Ice Dogs still aren't coming, pull up your pants and stop talking about things you have no idea about . let's celebrate and enjoy the quality of hockey we will finally have.
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Post by slamr on May 12, 2007 10:20:53 GMT -5
I believe you are right. The IceDogs are already working on the move with setting up schooling etc. This process is too far along now to just abandon. It's nowhere near perfect and is probably breaking all kinds of league transfer rules but the BOG will have to realize that it will have to be done. Delaying a decision now will do more damage than good.
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Post by tapeball on May 12, 2007 12:05:36 GMT -5
 --right on OHL. I'm so sick and tired of all the negativity. All this crying about seating, parking and the condition of JGA. I would love to see more positive talk and discussion on all the good that could come from the OHL moving a franchise into the Garden City. I sure hope the team draws well and the future for a new facility is enhanced by their performance. Remember, you can't get to second base if you keep one foot on first.--- 
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Post by Kevin on May 12, 2007 13:06:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the update OHL. After reading Branch's comments in the Standard earlier this week, I was starting to doubt whether the league would allow the move.
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Post by slamr on May 12, 2007 15:43:02 GMT -5
Not to worry tapeball. People have been complaining for years about that arena, myself included. I know, I've been attending games there for more than 30 years and I've heard it all. Does it stop me from going? Not on your life. I love watching junior hockey. True fans will go regardless of parking, bad seats etc. I find that the worst complainers are the ones that rarely watch. They would rather sit at home and watch the NHL for free. Even if we had a spanking new palace I doubt they would support it much anyway.
To all fans in Niagara...if we do get this team...show up. Show your support. Let's have a blast. You never know. We just might defeat this negativity we're so accustomed to and prove we need a new place. Wouldn't that be grand?
Let's Go IceDogs!!!!
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Post by SpaceBalls on May 12, 2007 17:22:04 GMT -5
I don't think we will have to worry about attendance because i have talk to many people and they seemed to be thrilled with the icedogs moving here!
Go Dogs Go!
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Post by 2manystripes on May 13, 2007 3:54:42 GMT -5
Will the Dogs be playing their home games on Sunday afternoon ? If they are they will never get a good crowd at home with football on t.v. Any talk that the falcons will give up their Friday nite slot for the Dogs ? To many people crying about watching good hockey in the area the Brock Badgers are a quality hockey club in Dog/ falcon land and how do they draw ? Just don't get it ..... a OHL team playing in a out dated rink. Its sounds to me more like a one nite stand for the Dogs then they are off to somewhere else to play.Dogs will sleep anywhere and with anyone for nothing as long as you feed them.
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Post by ltb on May 13, 2007 14:23:55 GMT -5
You know why this area needs this regional team so much, and why even more so they need this team to be successful at the gate? Is because of people like this ^guy!^ This area needs to know that it isn't really what we perceive it be, this region is one of the best places I have ever lived in, in my life and I have lived in a lot of places, but the negativity towards this place from many locals is second to none. I wish for the best for this team when it is approved, and I hope that once and for all the Niagara Region can come together and be proud of everything it has to offer including an OHL franchise.
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Post by fishfan51 on May 13, 2007 21:42:52 GMT -5
1) 2manystripes.....that is precisely the attitude that will cost the region an OHL franchise. The way to keep an OHL team here is to go out and support it. PERIOD. Maybe you should try being part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
2) I do agree with 2manystripes on one point and one point only......going up against NFL football WILL hurt attendance. Myself along with a lot of my friends are HUGE football fans that look forward to Sundays. Dragging them away from up to 15 games on Sunday Ticket will be a tough task.
3) Mr. Branch was on OHL SportsPak between periods tonight and said they have received the application for relocation and the sale of the IceDogs from Capital Sports earlier this week. He said it was an "exciting time for Mr. Burke and the region". It will go before the BOG in early June.
4) It has been said on the OHL forum that the players/parents have already made arrangements for schooling in the Niagara region. Billets have been contacted and set up.
5) There is a sign hanging in the arena that tickets will be available June 1st. Mr.Burke has also said he will be setting up an office on St.Paul St. Apparently if you contact the IceDogs through their website (mississagaicedogs.com) you can get on the list for season tickets when they become available. A friend of mine owns the domain niagaraicedogs.com and has been contacted by the organization about it's availability.
6) GO DOGS GO !!!
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Post by Kevin on May 13, 2007 23:08:38 GMT -5
Will the Dogs be playing their home games on Sunday afternoon ? If they are they will never get a good crowd at home with football on t.v. Any talk that the falcons will give up their Friday nite slot for the Dogs ? I agree with you on that point but what other option do they have? The only decent week night to play is Thursday and that will be their other home night. Fridays are out as the Falcons play every Friday night. If you play Saturday night your going up against the Leafs. Very few OHL teams play Sunday night as most teams draw better with an afternoon game on Sunday. Under the circumstances, Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon games are probably their best option. The Thunder also had this problem since the Canucks play almost every Friday night. If memory serves me right, the Thunder played Thursday nights and Sunday nights for the first few years, then changed it to Thursday and Saturday nights. |
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Post by groulxisright on May 14, 2007 19:11:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the update OHL. After reading Branch's comments in the Standard earlier this week, I was starting to doubt whether the league would allow the move. This thing has gone too far and it's now too late for the league to no allow it to happen. |
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Post by fishfan51 on May 23, 2007 15:01:07 GMT -5
On the Mississauga IceDogs website there is now a heading that says "for information regarding the Niagara IceDogs click here".
When you click it.....it brings up an outlook express email where you can ask questions or send comments.
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Post by slamr on May 24, 2007 10:05:56 GMT -5
Things are looking up, indeed.
Does anyone still not believe that the BOG vote in June is mostly a formality?
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Post by excanucksfan on May 24, 2007 12:23:04 GMT -5
I don' t think there is any doubt they are coming. Does anyone know how much season tickets will cost and when they will be sold. It seems very late in the year for them not to be selling tickets, advertising, etc. I think they might struggle a bit this year, seeing that they are very far behind.
Fishfan51, did you hear anything else about whether the arena will be retro-fitted with new seats or not?
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Post by puckhound on May 24, 2007 12:41:24 GMT -5
I saw them play last year and were a very explosive team offensively with the most goals in the OHL. Most players are coming back so they should be a hell of a team to watch this year. I have complained about the parking and the limited leg room of the top row of seats in the past but like some other posters have mentioned, lets move on from the negativity and support this team. Lets show Niagara deserves a team and are some of the best hockey fans around.
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Post by jrbfan on May 24, 2007 15:35:37 GMT -5
Regarding season ticket prices, the intern from the mississauga Ice Dogs (pardon me, now Niagara Ice Dogs) has responded in an email as follows:
"There is no schedule out yet, but there will be 34 home games plus 3 exhibition
games. 20 of our home games will be Sunday afternoon @ 2:00 p.m., 11 on
Thursday night @ 7:30 p.m., with the balance being played on either Friday
or Saturday (TBD). The schedule should be out in the next month or so.
Season tickets will be sold first with individual games being sold at a
later date. So right now I am making a priority list for those interested in
seasons tickets. All seats are reserved (even single game tickets – i.e. no
general admission except “standing room” tickets which will be sold for $
10.00 each and that is a “walk up” ticket). There are no children or senior
rates. Reds = $ 16.00 Blues and Greens = $ 15.00 and once the computer
system is set up, tickets will be going on sale early June."
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Post by fishfan51 on May 24, 2007 15:54:35 GMT -5
Fishfan51, did you hear anything else about whether the arena will be retro-fitted with new seats or not? I haven't heard a peep about new seats. There are plenty of rumours flying around about new seats, new boards, new glass etc. But I haven't seen or heard anything in a while. I did hear that some of the arena staff said that the end boards will have to be replaced because they are in such disrepair. |
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Post by groulxisright on May 24, 2007 20:10:13 GMT -5
There are no children or senior rates. This statement right here tells me they won't really hurt the Falcons attendance. I guess with a 3,000 seat arena they might be able to get away with this. But this in itself is going to keep a lot of people away. (They better really hope that GM gets that new transmission contract  ) That $16 and $15, is that the season ticket per game rate? Just as an example, my Hamilton Bulldogs season tickets for next year come to $14.75 per adult per game, and kids ticket comes out to $8.20 per game. |
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Post by Kevin on May 24, 2007 21:14:54 GMT -5
From what I understand, the $16/$15 is for individual tickets. Season tickets will be priced much lower.
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Post by groulxisright on May 24, 2007 22:05:03 GMT -5
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Post by hockey123 on May 25, 2007 6:01:44 GMT -5
They had a policy last year where you could exchange unused tickets for tickets for future games. I can't see them doing that this year, but it sure would be nice.
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Post by fishfan51 on May 25, 2007 6:35:23 GMT -5
They had a policy last year where you could exchange unused tickets for tickets for future games. I can't see them doing that this year, but it sure would be nice. That is pretty much standard, every team has a few redemption nights where you can trade in unused tickets. |
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Post by slamr on May 25, 2007 9:58:47 GMT -5
Fishfan51, did you hear anything else about whether the arena will be retro-fitted with new seats or not? I haven't heard a peep about new seats. There are plenty of rumours flying around about new seats, new boards, new glass etc. But I haven't seen or heard anything in a while. I did hear that some of the arena staff said that the end boards will have to be replaced because they are in such disrepair. I remember back when Burke signed the deal with the city he was quoted in the newspaper saying that there won't be any new seats. I'm going to assume he's correct and until I actually see new ones in there all those rumours about new seats should be treated as such...rumours. I do hope, however they address the problem with the top row. I agree...it should be moved back a bit. How can you ask someone to shell out $16 only to find out there is no place for your legs? Sorry about your luck, eh? |
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Post by groulxisright on May 27, 2007 12:45:57 GMT -5
The last row would be good for kids...... Wait a minute..... at full price, there may not be a lot of them |
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Post by dogman on May 28, 2007 16:00:56 GMT -5
I'm new here but have to say this website and forum is great. Now that I have a local sports team to follow, I should be posting here a lot.
As for the new seats issue, I e-mailed the IceDogs regarding the subject and got this response:
And with regards to the wooden benches. It doesn't look like they will be replaced as of yet, due to time restraints. It is something that we are looking into for the future.
Looks like atleast one season with the uncomfortable benches. Hopefully I have a small person beside me as that is the only way someone is going to fit on the bench with me.
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Post by sphinc on May 29, 2007 10:39:09 GMT -5
lets worry about getting butts in the seats and not how they fit, a shuttle from the lower level with a school bus or two would solve any parking issues
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Post by back2back on May 29, 2007 16:02:55 GMT -5
On the main page, there is an article about the 2 local kids who got drafted by the IceDogs. In the article it states "They'll attend a training camp the first week of June where, depending on their performance, they could be chosen for a training camp for the main roster." Where is this June training camp held. Will it be in St. Catharines or Mississauga? Is it normal for OHL teams to hold training camps in June?
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Post by coldpooch on May 29, 2007 20:07:54 GMT -5
The first camp is either called a "mini camp or rookie camp" and yes most OHL team's hold early camps of this type.
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Post by excanucksfan on May 30, 2007 16:11:38 GMT -5
Are they usually open to the public? I wouldn't mind heading down the QEW to see it. Does the camp only include players drafted this year? This year and last year? Drafted players and invites?
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Post by coldpooch on May 31, 2007 22:03:49 GMT -5
Are they usually open to the public? I wouldn't mind heading down the QEW to see it. Does the camp only include players drafted this year? This year and last year? Drafted players and invites? It is open to the public, sometimes they will supply a simple program with names and numbers. The players which attend are all from the previous priority selections with a number from two selections ago and just a hand full of invites. This could be from earlier drafts and free agents. Sometimes a few Vets will go for the ice time. You will get a good look at some of the future players, it is worth the Drive... |
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