Rumor: Hockey Coming Back to Utica, NY for 2013-14

[GIANTSFAN]

The Flames have it made because it doesn't cost them a cent to stay in Abby. The taxpayers pick up all the losses, which have been in the millions but does Calgary care, hell no because it doesn't cost the Flames/Heat franchise anything. This is why I think they will stay. Why go somewhere else where they would have to pick up the cost of any losses, when everything is paid for by the people of Abbotsford? It makes no sense for them to move & it's only an hour flight from Abby to Calgary. They wouldn't be able to find a closer place to have their affiliation than Abbotsford. I understand why the people of Abbotsford are pissed off about this deal which was made without their consent by some local politician, but they signed a 10 yr deal with the city & arena. A sweetheart deal for the Flames.

It's a no brainer that if the Canucks had their affiliate in Abby that it would draw near capacity for most games. As long as the price was affordable people would go. The Heat has sellouts or near when the Moose/Wolves come to town in past years & it's 90% cheering for the Moose/Wolves.

[nasty]

anyone remember the UHL,s Mohawk Valley Prowlers !! the legend Serge Roberge played there for a while

[chilly666]

Originally Posted by GIANTSFAN

The Flames have it made because it doesn't cost them a cent to stay in Abby. The taxpayers pick up all the losses, which have been in the millions but does Calgary care, hell no because it doesn't cost the Flames/Heat franchise anything. This is why I think they will stay. Why go somewhere else where they would have to pick up the cost of any losses, when everything is paid for by the people of Abbotsford? It makes no sense for them to move & it's only an hour flight from Abby to Calgary. They wouldn't be able to find a closer place to have their affiliation than Abbotsford. I understand why the people of Abbotsford are pissed off about this deal which was made without their consent by some local politician, but they signed a 10 yr deal with the city & arena. A sweetheart deal for the Flames.

im sure the canucks could come in and buy the franchise, kick the flames out and the fans would surely be more willing to accept paying what lost money there could be to see a team's prospects that they actually give a rats ass about seeing

[GIANTSFAN]

How can the Canucks buy the Heat franchise? The players are property of the Flames. Why would the Heat sell when they have such a sweetheart of a deal? It makes no sense to go somewhere else because there is nothing closer & what other city would make the taxpayers pay for the losses of a hockey club?

[chilly666]

do you really think that the heat wouldn't trade their sweetheart deal for the canucks who can probably bring in fans to the point that they won't be costing the taxpayers over $1 million/season. im sure the heat and canucks could get the a deal very similar and the fans would be a hell of a lot more accepting of paying the difference.

[nyislesfan45]

Utica blows and quite frankly I have doubts about attendance there too if Albany is averaging that badly.

[GIANTSFAN]

Originally Posted by chilly666

do you really think that the heat wouldn't trade their sweetheart deal for the canucks who can probably bring in fans to the point that they won't be costing the taxpayers over $1 million/season. im sure the heat and canucks could get the a deal very similar and the fans would be a hell of a lot more accepting of paying the difference.

Why would Calgary do Vancouver any favors by giving the Canucks a huge advantage by moving the Heat so the Canucks can take Abby? It makes zero sense from a Flames/Heat point of view. They don't give a sh*t if the barn is near empty most nights. They are concerned about how developed their players are. They don't care about the fans. No team does.

Answer this. Why would the Flames/Heat organization move farther away to another location so the Canucks can have Abbotsford?
What does Calgary/Abby have to gain doing this move?

[chilly666]

do you not realize that players play better when fans are there rooting for them instead of playing in an empty building with no energy coming from it? other than that, the flames have no one that good to develop so it doesn't matter if they do it in abbotsford or new york.

also if they give a rats ass about their prospects being developed, it would make more sense to have them in new york instead of two time zones away from the nearest opponent for travel purposes as that hampers practice time a fair amount with having to travel a day earlier than normal like other teams do when going on road trips.

the idea isn't about helping vancouver (as they would go thru the same downfalls), it's about helping their own players and easing the burden on them.

[GIANTSFAN]

Teams don't play better because they have 1,500 more people in the building cheering them on. It doesn't hurt, but it doesn't make them play better where they'll gain 10-15 extra points. The Heat were one of the best teams until around the Xmas break, great goaltending (Brust & Taylor) & the building was only about half full most games. They had a couple sellouts (cause NHL lockout) when Nugent-Hopkins, Eberle etc came to town & for a couple of the Wolves games. Last season they went to the 2nd round of the playoffs & there was about 500 fans there. I was one of them. Yes the travel is tough but they also have long home stretches as well. It's better the players get prepared for the long travel because the Flames schedule is like that as well.

[Leaf2717]

Great memories of AHL and UHL in Utica, I was last there for a Blizzard game circa 1993-4.

Anyone remember the uber-70’s huge silhouettes of “guy with briefcase,” “rock Guitar player” and (I think) “basketball player”?

Sure hope they leave those up!

Good for Utica, can’t wait to make the 1,000 mile drive sometime next winter.

Is Grimaldi’s still around?

[4thLineGoon]

Originally Posted by Leaf2717

Great memories of AHL and UHL in Utica, I was last there for a Blizzard game circa 1993-4.

Anyone remember the uber-70’s huge silhouettes of “guy with briefcase,” “rock Guitar player” and (I think) “basketball player”?

Sure hope they leave those up!

Good for Utica, can’t wait to make the 1,000 mile drive sometime next winter.

Is Grimaldi’s still around?

Those huge uber-70's silhouettes were gone before I ever got into town back in 06, played at the Aud for 2 years while at MVCC, still had those gaudy, worn, orange seats, which have since been replaced in the lower bowl.

http://www.uticaaud.org/userfiles/image/100_0565(1).JPG

The arena looks great, find a way to build in suites without killing too much arena seating and update the scoreboard and the building is ready to go! They may have enough room on the stage end for risers, much like Syracuse has.

And Grimaldi's closed last year when the owners retired.

[Leaf2717]

^ Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come for Utica. One of the best Hockey watching arenas I have had the chance to attend - Madill, Troy Crowder, Jamie Huscroft and [CoHL] Ritchie Walcott always made the drive worthwhile.

Thanks again.

[chilly666]

move on hold for another year

[GIANTSFAN]

Originally Posted by giantsfan

they asked abby if they were interested in moving & the answer was no. The taxpayers of abbotsford are the ones who pick up the tab for the losses the team has had each season. They have a 10 year agreement with the city of abby & the arena.

told ya!

[chilly666]

you're so far from correct on this it's not even funny, so don't try to act like you're right

this has nothing to do with the flames not wanting to move the heat, this has to do with the city and canucks not coming to terms on a contract to put the rivermen there. the flames contract will be either bought out or voided as they are outnumbered and should really know now that they are not even wanted as well.