|
|
Post by stunned on Dec 30, 2007 16:22:50 GMT -5
I was excited when they announced Junior A hockey is back and went and bought season tickets. However, if you know any of the so-called Standard sports writers, they have taken the position that the Icedogs won't last and are privately very critical of anything they do. They tipped their hands in their columns last week claiming their shooting stars (kids with the most potential for success) as Riley Sheehan and Daultan Leveille of the St. Catharines Falcons. Sheehan is a good one, but would be playing a back-up role on the Icedogs and Leveille would be scared to death to even step on an OHL ice surface. Funny how a 17 year old who is scheduled to go in the top five in the NHL draft like Alex Pietrangelo is relegated to seeing these guys write about hockey stars without mentioning his name. I see no features on the Icedogs or even a remote interest in them. They gave the OHL beat to a bowling expert for crying out loud.
When I was in Kitchener, they would even run features on Kitchener kids playing for other OHL teams who were coming back to play against the Rangers which helped stir up interest.
I think they should get rid of these guys who have stayed in a small city too long because they are incapable of getting a job anywhere else. Maybe they should go to small northern centres where Junior B/C hockey is still king. Jack Gateclliff would be banging the drum with both hands and feet. Shame on you guys.
|
|
|
|
Post by hockeydoc on Dec 30, 2007 18:44:04 GMT -5
Well i can't argue Daulton but Sheehan is a good player has pro written all over him.. Buy the way i talked to some NHL scouts and i don't think Daulton is going to be picked in the draft.. Now i was at the ice dogs game today and if i was reporter i wouldn't have much to write about ,except a good crowd.. Sudbury had kids in their line-up that couldn't even skate .. 25 , 71, i could go on and on .. This was the sloppiest hockey game i seen in awhile .. If i had to pay i would ask for my money back.. The best games i seen in this rink were Thorold vs the Falcon's ..Geez Sheldrake gets more ice time at Major Jr then he did in Thorold.. Now if i had to pick between Daulton .. Or 25 or 71 or Staal ... I think i would pick Daulton.. In the new NHL you have to be able to skate..
|
|
|
|
Post by germancabdriver on Dec 31, 2007 1:25:18 GMT -5
"they have taken the position that the Icedogs won't last"
Maybe those newpaper guys are smarter than you think!!!
After that performance today, who wants them!!
|
|
|
|
Post by dogman on Dec 31, 2007 16:34:27 GMT -5
Stunned - The reason the Standard does such a crappy job is their Sports Editor Bernie Pulaski. I don't really think he likes OHL hockey and I have heard stories of him telling people around town how the OHL will fail here. I think he is trying to do his part in making sure the team doesn't get too much exposure, so they will fail, which is really sad. Most papers will try to support their local sports teams. It appears the Bernie does not support this philosophy.
HockeyDoc, I have followed Jr. B hockey in this area for about 10 years now and I have never seen a Jr. B game that can compete with an OHL game in terms of entertainment. Jr. B is slow, sloppy and generally boring. I think the worst IceDogs game is still much more entertaining than a Jr. B game.
|
|
|
|
Post by hockeydoc on Dec 31, 2007 16:45:50 GMT -5
Well dogman i in know way tried to compare Major Jr to Jr B.. I said the game i was at yesterday had all the elements you mention.. SLOW, SLOPPY .. BORING.......ICE DOGS,, $15 .. Falcon's $8 ......Major Jr have their stars on the first line and a few on the second after that just players to eat up some minutes... By the way we have lots of them back here in Jr B and Tier2,that you can watch for half the price.....Oh and im in know way taking away from the players that came back to Tier2 and Jr B to finish out their Jr years... I believe these are the smart ones to come back play with their friends ,get back to why they loved hockey so much in the first place.. Have some fun.. Its a tough grind in the OHL,especially if your are not getting a lot of ice time.. Ask me i know
|
|
|
|
Post by hockeyobserver on Dec 31, 2007 16:49:48 GMT -5
cant disagree with the comments about the standard
however
i should defend one point
i believe for shooting stars they were talking about niagaras own. as much as we love these icedog players, they are from miss., oakville, burlington etc. etc.
so why overlook some of niagara's own shooting stars for them? i would prefer, as a niagara resident and a full-fledged dogs fan, to see our local kids mentioned
as for the coverage.. cant help but agree.. there should be features on the kids who are on other teams... martine when he was here, at least niagara this week did a story albeit the kid was traded the next week before the story ran
there are others... but i dont want to bash too much.. the standard has come a long way from the sparse coverage at first to some better stuff now...
whether bowling writer or sports editor, who cares as long as they are gettin ghtem in the paper... that kinda personal comment is just stupid
|
|
|
|
Post by stunned on Dec 31, 2007 16:58:43 GMT -5
Dogman this is exactly my point. If Pulchaski and his boys do not get behind the team and help then they are fulfilling a self prophesy - "I told you that it won't work here". They would rather be right than be part of the solution of how to keep the Dogs in town. Don't waist your breath on people like Hockey Doc. Insinuating that Junior B hockey has players that can compete at the Major Junior level tells you where his head is at. There might be the odd exception Steckley (physical/fighting) and Sheahan (great young player) who may be the only two who could compete. I'll say it again "Jack Gatecliff would be so upset to see these guys and their terrible attitudes."
|
|
|
|
Post by dogfan on Dec 31, 2007 17:03:34 GMT -5
germancabdriver, you gotta be kidding. Smarter then you think? The guys at the Standard don't have any connections or insight at all. I have said before and will say again, the new arena with the IceDogs in it is coming. That folks is a fact. The Standard can ignore them all they want, as fans they're will be different ways to get our IceDogs info very soon. If you want to know why, the Standard doesn't cover them well it's very simple, Bernie is in tight with the Falcons organization and would hate to see his beloved Falcons get knocked down to #2 on the hockey landscape. Go back and read pre-season articles when there was no attendance figures. The first game there was almost 2000 people there he put in his article maybe 1500. The next game the was even more people and he upped it to 1800, then the final home preseason game they didn't even print the attendance. If any of you have ever met Bernie you know what a jerk the guy is anyway. Osprey Media owns the Standard and a lot of other OHL city papers. As a parent company maybe fans can let them know what a bad job these guys are doing, here and in comparison to other cities.
|
|
|
|
Post by hockeydoc on Dec 31, 2007 17:06:28 GMT -5
Hey stunned read my post.. I didn't say we had Jr B hockey players as good as the stars of the Ice dogs but we do have players that play in that league and in the Jr Loop as we speak.We have players that have played 2-3-4 years in that league and return.. to tier2 and Jr B.. So they can compete and have done so in the past .. Example ,, kid in Port... Thorold ... Fort... they are signed to Major jr now.. Will they be stars in that league ?? Who knows, but i wish them the best..Oh and buy the way i hope Major Jr is here to stay,but i do think they need a new rink.. GOOD LUCK DOGS,.. Having them around will give our local kids a lot more exposure for sure..Oh and all i said was yesterday's game was boring .. If you say that its the best we have to look forward too then it won't work here... Im just pulling your leg ,i know they can play better... I stand behind my statement on 25 for Sudbury he can't play in Major JR or Jr B
|
|
|
|
Post by germancabdriver on Dec 31, 2007 17:34:21 GMT -5
Dog, take your head out of your A#@! Tell me who in the Niagara Region is going to build a 5,000+ seat arena? Niagara Falls has made their decision on their rink (and doesn't have any money), St. Catharines is already getting milked by the team and made their blunder when they built the complex! Only a private investor can build one and if they can't sell out the Jack on a regular basis, what business man would want to take on that venture! Enjoy it while you can!
|
|
|
|
Post by stunned on Dec 31, 2007 19:38:01 GMT -5
Hockey Observer - If you followed Junior hockey in the days of Marcel Dionne, Jack Gatecliff always referred to Dionne as St. Catharines own, even though he was from Quebec. You said that article talking about shooting stars was for St. Catharines residents only. This just made my point. If you look at these Icedogs as out of towners and not St. Catharines kids then this won't work. I can recall how Jack was always ready to talk about St. Catharines Blackhawks like Dionne, Hull, Esposito etc...
|
|
|
|
Post by groulxisright on Dec 31, 2007 19:40:39 GMT -5
Well dogman i in know way tried to compare Major Jr to Jr B.. I said the game i was at yesterday had all the elements you mention.. SLOW, SLOPPY .. BORING.......ICE DOGS,, $15 .. Falcon's $8 ......Major Jr have their stars on the first line and a few on the second after that just players to eat up some minutes... By the way we have lots of them back here in Jr B and Tier2,that you can watch for half the price.....Oh and im in know way taking away from the players that came back to Tier2 and Jr B to finish out their Jr years... I believe these are the smart ones to come back play with their friends ,get back to why they loved hockey so much in the first place.. Have some fun.. Its a tough grind in the OHL,especially if your are not getting a lot of ice time.. Ask me i know Ok, I'll bite......"Ask me I know"......What's your story.......  ? |
|
|
|
Post by groulxisright on Dec 31, 2007 19:44:10 GMT -5
I have said before and will say again, the new arena with the IceDogs in it is coming. That folks is a fact. Please, enlighten us all, obviously you have some inside information that no one else has. Please share..... |
|
|
|
Post by groulxisright on Dec 31, 2007 19:52:32 GMT -5
Dogman this is exactly my point. If Pulchaski and his boys do not get behind the team and help then they are fulfilling a self prophesy - "I told you that it won't work here". They would rather be right than be part of the solution of how to keep the Dogs in town. Don't waist your breath on people like Hockey Doc. Insinuating that Junior B hockey has players that can compete at the Major Junior level tells you where his head is at. There might be the odd exception Steckley (physical/fighting) and Sheahan (great young player) who may be the only two who could compete. I'll say it again "Jack Gatecliff would be so upset to see these guys and their terrible attitudes." I don't think he is trying to say that JrB players as individuals are as good as OHL players. I think his point is the overall games can be just as exciting. I believe the front office of the IceDogs made a mistake in thinking the team would be more popular and would in in fact basically sell itself. I believe the fact that they don't have kids or seniors prices is proof in itself that they expected the team to be more popular. When a family of 4 can get a Falcons family pack for I believe $20 or at most $25 it makes 4 tickets at $60 to an IceDogs game a easy decision for some people with the state of the Niagara economy today. |
|
|
|
Post by dogfan on Jan 1, 2008 1:26:04 GMT -5
I have said before and will say again, the new arena with the IceDogs in it is coming. That folks is a fact. Please, enlighten us all, obviously you have some inside information that no one else has. Please share..... Three different private groups, two from Toronto and the OLGC are all looking to add a 5000 or more seat facility to the region. The OLGC is looking to put one in because the Avalon Ball Room in the Casino isn't big enough for the attractions they want and Rama is killing them in that area. The private groups are also interested in the same concept. Two of these groups HAVE contacted the city of Niagara Falls and one other has been in the area without formal contact just see what's available. Each group has noticed the same thing, the local councils dropped the ball on the size of the rinks they built and now they are looking to come in and build something. The IceDogs would be a main tenant and the groups own parking, concessions and a portion of the advertising. I could not be told the name of the investors group but I was assured by an official at city hall that it has happen. Enlightenment enough for ya! Funny how at the beginning of the year all the idiots that hate to see things in Niagara succeed came out and gave a million reasons why this won't work and it has. The team is happy with Niagara, the Burkes are happy with Niagara, the OHL is happy(they have bigger issues in Brampton, Mississauga, Owen Sound and Erie) with Niagara and oh ya the fans are happy. |
|
|
|
Post by chooch on Jan 1, 2008 9:59:33 GMT -5
As far as a facility to bring larger attractions to the region I believe this has already been addressed with the soon to be announced convention center in the Falls, 10,000 capacity for shows and no plans for ice so this can't be the one you are referring too. I'm really hoping we get a new rink somewhere in the region for the Dogs to play in but with this new convention center coming, I'm just wondering why some other private groups would want to compete with that.
|
|
|
|
Post by groulxisright on Jan 1, 2008 13:07:09 GMT -5
Please, enlighten us all, obviously you have some inside information that no one else has. Please share..... Three different private groups, two from Toronto and the OLGC are all looking to add a 5000 or more seat facility to the region. The OLGC is looking to put one in because the Avalon Ball Room in the Casino isn't big enough for the attractions they want and Rama is killing them in that area. The private groups are also interested in the same concept. Two of these groups HAVE contacted the city of Niagara Falls and one other has been in the area without formal contact just see what's available. Each group has noticed the same thing, the local councils dropped the ball on the size of the rinks they built and now they are looking to come in and build something. The IceDogs would be a main tenant and the groups own parking, concessions and a portion of the advertising. I could not be told the name of the investors group but I was assured by an official at city hall that it has happen. Enlightenment enough for ya! Funny how at the beginning of the year all the idiots that hate to see things in Niagara succeed came out and gave a million reasons why this won't work and it has. The team is happy with Niagara, the Burkes are happy with Niagara, the OHL is happy(they have bigger issues in Brampton, Mississauga, Owen Sound and Erie) with Niagara and oh ya the fans are happy. Enlightment enough?.....Sure, and I love the way you backed it up with links to stories from newspaper and such Listen, I really hope you're right. Why would anyone who calls themselves a hockey fan not want another option for live hockey in the Niagara area? I think a lot of the "idiots" you're talking about are just a little gunshy on getting all excited about the OHL staying here long term. I think most people that follow this situation know that the Niagara area will need to have a 5 to 6,000 seat arena built to keep this team here long term. Most of these "idiots" have scene the politicians of St. Kitts and Niagara Falls screw this up already and sadly expect to see the same result again when the idea of a larger arena is tabled. |
|
|
|
Post by hockeyobserver on Jan 1, 2008 14:54:00 GMT -5
sorry stunned.. way too young for that. what i do know, though, is that I am fully aware of legein and petro and other dogs' future abilities... i am more interested in hearing about some of our own local youth who we may not hear or read about all of the time. i dont want to come off rude... but really.. this is just a place for them to play hockey.. they could be traded tomorrow and then they are in a new place... sheehan, leveille, etc. they are born and bred niagara... and will surelyc ome back when they are older... i dont think petro will ever come back... do u? Hockey Observer - If you followed Junior hockey in the days of Marcel Dionne, Jack Gatecliff always referred to Dionne as St. Catharines own, even though he was from Quebec. You said that article talking about shooting stars was for St. Catharines residents only. This just made my point. If you look at these Icedogs as out of towners and not St. Catharines kids then this won't work. I can recall how Jack was always ready to talk about St. Catharines Blackhawks like Dionne, Hull, Esposito etc... |
|
|
|
Post by dogfan on Jan 1, 2008 15:11:25 GMT -5
Ok, took a little digging but seeing the papers don't cover anything that has to do with the IceDogs I had to go through the City of Niagara Falls web site. Here is a link to your niagara a web site that archives Niagara Falls Council meetings. wm.yourniagara.ca/index.asp?municipality=m_niagara_falls&file=september_10_2007Go to the Communications and Comments section at 3:47:38 min. This is a September 10th meeting. It has nothing to do with the convention centre. If you follow politics you can read between the lines. He never said it will happen, politicians don't make that kind of promise, but he does say people have called and are keeping an eye on whats happening. If you listen he says it's all private sector money. By the way for everyone that says this happen before the convention centre announcement, it did but, the council and everyone around city hall knew about the convention centre in June of 2007. So the private sector would have been well aware of the intention to build the centre. That's all I can give you that has proof and public knowledge. Everything else has been told to me by city and regional officials. I know people can just come on the internet and spout off anything they want and I know the "this is going to fail" people always want proof. Somethimes you just have to say, waite and see......kinda like what they say, "this will fail, waite and see". I keep seeing people say why this will fail, now show me your proof. An internet article, a web site something proving your point that the 2007 Niagara IceDogs will fail and there will not be an arena built in the Niagara Region in the next five years. Not your opinion not what you think, proof. |
|
|
|
Post by ltb on Jan 1, 2008 16:24:54 GMT -5
I don't mean to sound unappreciative towards Kevin and the Local Sports Report/IceDogs side of this site, it was the only site that always kept us updated on the future of the OHL returning here. Unfortunately reading this site everyday for 2 years hoping and praying that we would get back the OHL somewhere in this Region from some source or another. I quickly realized that most viewers here are Junior B fans and really don't care for the OHL caliber of Hockey. In other words when you read up on the Icedogs "here" you get the impression that the sky is falling, and that nobody thinks they will survive and that nobody will go to the games and that they will be gone in less than five years...Who Knows? However when you read sites from other areas about the Dogs or sites devoted to the Dogs with a fresh start and you talk to Bill Burke and the fans and you go to a game and you bring your Sister who has seasons tickets to the Spits in Windsor and a nice new shiny arena on the way, (with everyone and their brother losing their job down there), you feel pretty good about the situation. As a matter of fact most days I ignore that negative crap and focus on the IceDogs and it actually feels like a pretty good hockey town to me! I hope people always come to this site for information, but the same people on here from 2 years ago are still chirping about the same thing. My personal solution is I go to the games OHL and Junior B take in the atmosphere and enjoy some good old Canadian hockey. By the way my sister was incredibly impressed with the fans here, and she has been watching hockey in the Windsor barn for years and says we are doing just fine with what we have... atmosphere.
|
|
|
|
Post by puckhound on Jan 1, 2008 18:29:58 GMT -5
I agree that its amazing that Major Jr hockey has arrived here in Niagara in such a short amount of time, and that it seems the owners... the Burkes are great people. I'm enjoying the games and the Jr. B Canucks have now taken a back seat to the Icedogs. The speed and incredible "on the tape passing" is far superior.
However, I do not for a moment think that someone with private money is coming in to build an arena in the Falls as Dogman has stated is a fact. The $100 million convention center is a fact but will not be built with ice making equipment. As Chooch mentioned, who would want to compete with that year round. This will be the big issue 4 years from now when Dave Branch comes calling and wants to know the long term scenario for the Icedogs. A 4500 seat building near White Oaks would be the ultimate answer. I'd rather see a 4500 seat building like the new one in Sarnia averaging 3000 fans then a 6000 seat arena half empty.
|
|
|
|
Post by germancabdriver on Jan 1, 2008 19:09:49 GMT -5
Every game the Ice Dogs don't sell out, they loose money - FACT!
How deep are the owners pockets??? Only time will tell. There is no way the value of this team is appreciating faster than the financial loses.
Burke's are nice people? If it has to do with business, they will go through you before they ever go around you! Ask the Falcons. Watch your back Niagara (well St. Catharines since they didn't follow through with their promise to market this team throughout the entire Niagara Region!)
Averaging less than 2,500 fans (and I know the Ice Dog numbers are inflated) will not bring in private investors (unless they want to loose their shirts too!!)
Best newspaper in Ontario for 2007!!! The St. Catharines Standard!! Yeah!!
|
|
|
|
Post by dogfan on Jan 1, 2008 19:44:46 GMT -5
Everyone including the OHL knew that the team was going to lose money for five years until a new arena was built. Try another old arguement. The Burkes are nice and they should run over the Falcons. Don't think the Falcons don't deserve it. They backed out of a lot of promises and have tried to make things difficult for the IceDogs. I know people in both organizations and the Falcons give as much as they get. Ask them about their little pressbox trick or maybe ask why they didn't sell the team when they were offered more then the value by the IceDogs? Why because they are looking to make thing difficult, they see the attendance dropping. I actually agree with you on one point, watch your back Niagara, the Falcons are looking to screw up the best thing that could happen to hockey fans in this region for a long time.
You know they are inflating the numbers? I was asked for proof and gave it...where is yours? The OHL has stricked policies on getting the computer numbers for game attendance, not just looking at the crowd and guessing like Jr.B. I'd love to know how they found a way to get around something the rest of the league hasn't figured out yet.
As I have already shown the private investors are already looking, and you saying they won't come and that they'll lose their shirt won't stop them.
I guess we agree on two things actually, the Standard is the best paper in Ontario......for the inside of a birdcage, or to wrap fish in.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kevin on Jan 1, 2008 23:50:31 GMT -5
I really don't think it is fair to expect every game at the Jack to be sold out. Can you tell me what cities in the OHL have a new rink because the old rink was being sold out on a consistent basis?
Here are some numbers I dug up:
Guelph
Capacity of old rink - 4000
Attendance at old rink (Last full season at old rink) - 2831
2006-07 attendance (new rink) - 4205
London
Capacity of old rink - 5075
Attendance at old rink (Last full season at old rink) - 3905
2006-07 attendance (new rink) - 9034
Oshawa
Capacity of old rink - 4025
Attendance at old rink (Last full season at old rink) - 3013
2006-07 attendance (new rink) - 4459
What you see here is that none of these teams sold out their old rinks on a consistent basis. However, all three teams saw a huge increase in attendance when they moved into their new arena.
Take a look at Kingston. They have an arena similar in size to the Jack (Kingston's capacity is 3300) although their rink is about 20 years newer I believe. The last three seasons they have averaged 2095, 2198 and 2247 last season. However, these numbers were good enough to warrant a new 5000 seat arena, which is opening up in a few weeks.
There are investors out there that are very interested in getting involved in a new rink for Niagara even though most OHL rinks are financed by the municipality, with very little private investment.
|
|
|
|
Post by chooch on Jan 2, 2008 0:53:04 GMT -5
I agree with Kevin, there are probably about a thousand hockey fans in the region that don't go see the Dogs on a regular basis because of where they play. The Jack has a great atmosphere and many don't mind it but many others stay away because it's an old, uncomfortable, tight and cold place to watch a game, and the truth is it's affecting attendance whether we like it or not. (I didn't include parking because I don't buy the argument that it sucks). Build a modern rink that's easy to get too, has nice seating, all the modern bells and whistles and just watch attendance rise. The only question is, who will build it? Not the local governments, that's for sure.
|
|
|
|
Post by germancabdriver on Jan 2, 2008 11:08:11 GMT -5
Kevin, that was never my point. My point is; the Ice Dogs must sell out every game and maximize corporate revenue, concessions and merchandise if they are going to meet their 2 million dollar budget! Every time they do not sell out, three of these four revenue areas are affected and they loose money. Sit down and do the numbers, it's not hard to figure out. All the teams that average below 3,000 are struggling financially. The only way they can make up is by cutting things in their budget and then the whole program suffers (just look at Kingston). What happens when the City of St. Catharines finally realizes they cannot afford to give the Ice Dogs "free" ice again next season? That will be another 60 or 70k added to the budget. Also, while we are talking about this. Wouldn't you think that St. Catharines Minor Hockey (all the associations combined) bring in more revenue to the city than the Ice Dogs during the season and they have to pay for their ice? I'm sure if you add up all the tournaments and outside teams that generate revenue in St. Catharines, you would be very surprised!! I can't believe they haven't gone to City Hall demanding their ice be free (but then again, they have been around forever and are not running a private business!!).
|
|
|
|
Post by dogfan on Jan 2, 2008 12:55:05 GMT -5
Here is an article that may help ease some of your concerns. This is from back in April. The Dogs have a five year lease so there won't be any increase in the yearly budget. In this article Burke talks about only needing 2500 per game at $15 per ticket to make 1.3 mil., the other $700 000 will come from concessions, sponsorship and merch., if he gets that he breaks even.
Osprey News Network
Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 02:00
Local News - The Niagara IceDogs are coming.
St. Catharines Mayor Brian McMullan emerged from a closed-door meeting Monday night to welcome owner-to-be Bill Burke to his city.
“Welcome to St. Catharines. This is great news,” said McMullan, who was joined by a number of councillors who also shook the Newmarket printing executive’s hand. “We look forward to working with you.”
Burke said he was delighted with council’s decision, which paves the way for his purchase of the Mississauga IceDogs from Capital Sports, owned by Eugene Melnyk. He handed out black hockey caps with the team’s logo to city councillors.
McMullan said St. Catharines councillors agreed in their closed-door meeting to spend up to $250,000 to build a new dressing room at Jack Gatecliff Arena for the Ontario Hockey League franchise and to renovate the dressing room used by city’s junior B Falcons.
Both renovations will be paid for out of the interest the city is earning on its hydro investment fund, McMullan said.
He said the deal has the support of the Falcons, although final details of who gets what still have to be sorted out.
In return for the renovations, Burke is signing a five-year lease. The IceDogs will move here in time for the September start of the 2007-08 hockey season.
The deal represents “the type of activity we require to create catalysts for development downtown,” McMullan said.
While previous failed attempts to move an OHL franchise here required that the city spend millions building a major spectator facility, Burke says he’s satisfied with Gatecliff’s 3,000 seats.
Burke said if he can sell 2,500 $15 tickets to each of the team’s 34 home games, he’ll earn roughly $1.3 million in revenue. The remaining $700,000 he needs to cover the team’s $2-million annual operating budget will be recovered from sponsorships, concessions and revenue from team merchandise.
“I’ll be happy if I break even in the first year,” Burke said. “I am not here to make a ton of money, I am only here to make more than I’m spending, and to have some fun.”
Burke said once he has succeeded in establishing the team’s fan base in St. Catharines, he’ll want the city to build a new arena with more seating capacity.
“It will be fun to watch hockey here and it will be fun to watch it grow, and it will be fun when there’s a new arena here. And there will be a new arena here,” he said.
Burke says his strategy will be to create demand.
“I want to have it sold out every night, so people will want to get into it and then we’ll get a new arena. The league will want a bigger rink eventually, and I hope it’s so successful (the people of) the city will see it, too.”
In the meantime, Burke said he likes Gatecliff arena’s “heck of a lot of character,” and prefers a smaller venue while he creates “excitement” in the city.
“I’d rather have 3,000 here in a place that’s humming than 2,000 in an empty stadium,” Burke said. “Mississauga is a beautiful stadium, but it’s only one-third full. You don’t have to start with 5,000 seats to be successful.”
Burke wouldn’t say how much he’s paying for the IceDogs, although Melnyk, the current owner, is reported to have paid roughly $8 million for the team Don Cherry founded a decade ago.
This year, the IceDogs suffered a $200,000 loss, but it’s understood Melnyk only bought the team with the intention of selling it again. In the process he would acquire rights to the Hershey Centre and would be able to move Toronto’s St. Michael’s Majors, a team he also owns, into the space.
Burke’s offer to buy the IceDogs was conditional on his being able to find a new home by next Monday, and the move to St. Catharines already has the support of OHL commissioner David Branch. Burke will be the team’s fifth owner in 10 years.
He said many of the team’s existing 17 coaching and office staff will follow their jobs to St. Catharines, and he is planning to move here in the next two years as well.
“I like St. Catharines,” Burke said. “I went to school here. It’s a great sports town.”
Both Burke and his son attended Ridley College, and his next-door neighbour in Newmarket is Ward Seymour, the former St. Catharines resident (and cousin of former mayor Tim Rigby) who made a substantial donation and earned naming rights at the four-pad arena.
Rigby attended part of Monday night’s meeting with Burke.
Burke said the city is fine with calling the team the Niagara IceDogs instead of the St. Catharines IceDogs. It’s part of building a fan base, he said.
“The mayor thought it was smart, that it would pull people into St. Catharines from Welland, Thorold, into the core.
“I want to give St. Catharines and Niagara a chance to experience something they haven’t had in the past … the ability to see the greatest amateur hockey in the world
ID- 498782
© 2007 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.
Finally, you may not think the councillors in the Region are very smart, you may not even think that the Burkes are smart, but there is no doubting the guys that run the OHL. The league hates franchise movement. They would never have approved this move if they thought it would only last the five years of the lease. They love the Niagara market and would only come here if the move was a good one. Remember investors that look to build area's don't always contact teams or cities, sometimes they contact the league. If the league knew they had an investor looking to build an arena and the investor liked the Niagara market, don't you think the league would everything it could to get a team here. If you followed this story from the start you may remember that North Bay actually has a better arena and was more fit to have this franchise on day one. However, they would also need an arena in three to five years. Given how fast they got bumped out of the running for this team, it is not far fetched to believe that investors are not interested in North Bay nut they are interested in Niagara. That last paragraph is my speculation only, but I think it is not far from reality.
|
|
|
|
Post by rabiddog on Jan 2, 2008 14:30:09 GMT -5
Itb...Thank you ,Thank you so much for your post..Finally someone comes on here and gets it right !!!!!!! Hey Germancabdriver---out of all the people who come on here and post you are the most negative of them all !!!...What i am really interested to know is what exactly is why you exactly have a problem with the IceDogs being here? Is it because you are a Jr.B fan only? Are you somehow involved with a Jr.B team in the Niagara Region? Really your constant negative posts about how the IceDogs are not going to be here for long and how the falcons got screwed and now you have the nerve to come on here and start trashing the Burkes !!!! I bet there is no way in hell you would approach the Burkes face to face and say all of your negative comments to them..would you?  ? Please do all of us on here a favor and just go watch your favorite Jr.B and enjoy your self at those games. Quite honestly your negative comments are getting very tiresome !!!!!! |
|
|
|
Post by charger on Jan 2, 2008 16:58:17 GMT -5
The Ice Dogs are getting good support from the fans and it is my understanding tickets are going fast in the second half of the season for most of the games. The Standard could do a better job in telling the readers some of the stars of the other teams coming to town and do profiles of the ice dogs players the atmosphere at the Jack is great and a new arena will draw more fans.
|
|
|
|
Post by groulxisright on Jan 2, 2008 19:18:06 GMT -5
Dogfan, this is what the "idiots" like me, who want to see a OHL team here long term playing out of a nice new arena, get concerned about and why we don't want to get too excited.
From your article........"Burke said once he has succeeded in establishing the team’s fan base in St. Catharines, he’ll want the city to build a new arena with more seating capacity."
I don't see the private sector building an arena on it's own but as I stated back when the team was first announced Mr. Burke is approaching this the best possible way. You never know, this approach may just twist the cities arm enough that they really have no choice put to help fund a new arena.
My post from the summer....
You gotta hand it to this guy he is smart. Many have tried to put a team in the Niagara Region. I believe, just from a simple geographical location. No immediate competition from another local team, and yet you have several teams that are only a few hours drive away.
Now this is where this guy was smarter than the rest. All the other came in with demands about arenas and funding and what have you. It was easy for council to turn them down because no one had an vested interest in that team yet. Sure some people were upset but all and all no one was going to cause to much trouble because the team was never more than an idea.
This guy walks in, asks for the bare minimum and tells all that he can make the rest work. Since the city isn't financially bending over backwards they are really in no position but to accept the deal.
Now let's jump 3 years down the road when this team is a part of the community. This team has business sponsoring the games, this team bring in people from out of town bring business to the city. Business people know city politicans. If this team continues to have a winning record like the Ice Dogs did last season, they may well become one of the major contributers to the identity of this city.
This is when you approach the city with your demands for a new arena and anything else you want. This is when the council will see a lot more backlash if you they do not get behind an arena deal. This is when the council will be seen as the group that has forced the OHL to leave the Niagara region again.
I don't know if you will ever see St. Catharines help fund a 5,000 to 6,000 seat arena but if this scenerio holds true, this will be the hardest offer for the council to turn down yet.
Well done, Mr. Burke
|
|
?
? Please do all of us on here a favor and just go watch your favorite Jr.B and enjoy your self at those games. Quite honestly your negative comments are getting very tiresome !!!!!!