K'zoo to the USHL... with half the league?

[AceFace905]

I have a link but anonymous sources and a website I literally just found a couple days ago, so the journalism grad in me is posting this in rumors--a comment added to a link on K'zoo leaving the IHL:

http://www.americanjuniorhockey.com/2009/06/k-wings-to-ushl.html



Sources on two fronts are saying that the K-Wings and possibly two other IHL teams are finalizing plans to play in the USHL. If this proves to be true, Kalamazoo is one heck of a hockey town and would be a jewel for USA Hockey.

:shock:

[mfrerkes]

I have a link but anonymous sources and a website I literally just found a couple days ago, so the journalism grad in me is posting this in rumors--a comment added to a link on K'zoo leaving the IHL:

I remember hearing that Muskegon was interested in the USHL as recently as last season. Bloomington's name has been thrown about in potential USHL expansion talk as well.

Perhaps those could be the other two teams?!?!

[pioneer98]

It's been said a few times on these boards that it is too late for teams to join the USHL for next year. I guess anything is possible, but who knows, maybe they'd make an exception if they got a handful of decent teams all at once. No idea.

[AceFace905]

I remember hearing that Muskegon was interested in the USHL as recently as last season. Bloomington's name has been thrown about in potential USHL expansion talk as well.

Perhaps those could be the other two teams?!?!
That would be devastating to the IHL--for all intents and purposes the K-Wings would be taking the remaining functional members of the league with them (not counting Ft. Wayne of course)... :shock:

[AceFace905]

It's been said a few times on these boards that it is too late for teams to join the USHL for next year. I guess anything is possible, but who knows, maybe they'd make an exception if they got a handful of decent teams all at once. No idea.
That's what I was thinking initially, and with the IHL's unified front that the teams put on after K'zoo's announcement I figured it was ECHL or bust. If this pans out though, how would they stock the teams--expansion drafts? It is a bit late in the game, particularly for juniors I figured...

[mfrerkes]

That would be devastating to the IHL--for all intents and purposes the K-Wings would be taking the remaining functional members of the league with them (not counting Ft. Wayne of course)... :shock:
Even if Bloomington and Muskegon stay put, the situation in the IHL is extremely critical. Until Flint starts fulfilling orders for season tickets, the league is still at five teams. All the rumors about Quad City joining are hollow. Nothing is happening here, and in light of Kalamazoo's apparent departure, I doubt there's anyone now who will underwrite a QC-based IHL team.

[komethckygirl4]

I remember hearing that Muskegon was interested in the USHL as recently as last season. Bloomington's name has been thrown about in potential USHL expansion talk as well.

Perhaps those could be the other two teams?!?!

I believe that was Lisman's idea. I don't think Taylor has any plans to go to juniors.

[mfrerkes]

I believe that was Lisman's idea. I don't think Taylor has any plans to go to juniors.
I honestly don't know. The Kalamazoo departure still has me scratching my head, so until the K-Wings announce a destination league, we don't know what is going to happen.

If the K-Wings do make a USHL jump, I would suspect any other followers from the IHL will be named that very same day.

[Nikola_Tesla]

I honestly don't know. The Kalamazoo departure still has me scratching my head, so until the K-Wings announce a destination league, we don't know what is going to happen.

If the K-Wings do make a USHL jump, I would suspect any other followers from the IHL will be named that very same day.

Absolutely. K-zoo leaving the "I" is mind-boggling. And, just to make the wording more accurate -- in my opinion, any move to the USHL would be a fall. Nonetheless, I'd be willing to put a lil' wager on the fact that if K-zoo goes to the USHL, no one else follows. What do ya say? :grin:

[mfrerkes]

Absolutely. K-zoo leaving the "I" is mind-boggling. And, just to make the wording more accurate -- in my opinion, any move to the USHL would be a fall. Nonetheless, I'd be willing to put a lil' wager on the fact that if K-zoo goes to the USHL, no one else follows. What do ya say? :grin:
I'm not even sure K'zoo will be joining the USHL. It seems pretty certain the K-Wings are finished with the IHL, however. If you're looking to bet on this outcome, count me out. This one is a total mystery.

[mfosterftw]

I'm not convinced Kzoo is going USHL, either.

[Nikola_Tesla]

I'm not even sure K'zoo will be joining the USHL. It seems pretty certain the K-Wings are finished with the IHL, however. If you're looking to bet on this outcome, count me out. This one is a total mystery.

Fair 'nuff.