Cincinnati/IHL Deal May Be Getting Serious

[TwoMinutes]

As stated in another thread, rumors have been running ramped about an IHL team coming to the Cincinnati Gardens. I was up in Dayton at a Gems game a week or so ago and fans there were asking me if I had heard anything to that affect.

As you may know, fans have created a group on Facebook entitled Bring IHL Pro Hockey to the Cincinnati Gardens!!! (http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/pages/Bring-IHL-Pro-Hockey-to-the-Cincinnati-Gardens/383767005326?ref=ts). The creator of this group claims that the Gardens will be meeting with some potential new owners in the near future.

This certainly does make sense. There is an available arena in Cincinnati that has "minor league hockey" written all over it. Additionally, geographically Cincinnati would make a lot of sense in the IHL.

The same fans who asked me about the IHL in Cincinnati also said they had heard a team was going to Toledo as well. Has anyone heard that?

Best regards,
TwoMinutes

[hockey]

As stated in another thread, rumors have been running ramped about an IHL team coming to the Cincinnati Gardens. I was up in Dayton at a Gems game a week or so ago and fans there were asking me if I had heard anything to that affect.

As you may know, fans have created a group on Facebook entitled Bring IHL Pro Hockey to the Cincinnati Gardens!!! (http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/pages/Bring-IHL-Pro-Hockey-to-the-Cincinnati-Gardens/383767005326?ref=ts). The creator of this group claims that the Gardens will be meeting with some potential new owners in the near future.

This certainly does make sense. There is an available arena in Cincinnati that has "minor league hockey" written all over it. Additionally, geographically Cincinnati would make a lot of sense in the IHL.

The same fans who asked me about the IHL in Cincinnati also said they had heard a team was going to Toledo as well. Has anyone heard that?

Best regards,
TwoMinutes

I heard the same thing about Boise, Idaho.

[JabZ]

The same fans who asked me about the IHL in Cincinnati also said they had heard a team was going to Toledo as well. Has anyone heard that?

And this proposed team would play...where? :unsure:

[pioneer98]

The same fans who asked me about the IHL in Cincinnati also said they had heard a team was going to Toledo as well.

I don't know, does Toledo have a delapidated rink and a guy with a dream to own his own hockey team? Oh, and I think it's required that the guy also have a pulse.

[CyclonesFan1]

I thought they wanted to expand to Phoenix Arizona, and bring back the RoadRunners. Shouldn't this thread be in the rumor portion of this board?:wacko:

[mfrerkes]

The IHL can't even make it in Dayton...where there is no other minor league hockey competition. Any IHL team in Cincy would get buried by the Cyclones from an attendance standpoint.

I'm all for the IHL expanding into other markets, but this Cincinnati pipe dream doesn't pass the laugh test.

[JabZ]

I don't know, does Toledo have a delapidated rink and a guy with a dream to own his own hockey team? Oh, and I think it's required that the guy also have a pulse.

:lolabove:

Pulse is optional, as long as said guy has a line of credit.

(I'VE always wanted to own a minor league hockey team. Maybe I could set up some folding chairs on the shores of Lake Erie.)

[mfrerkes]

(I'VE always wanted to own a minor league hockey team. Maybe I could set up some folding chairs on the shores of Lake Erie.)
Don't be giving Hextall any ideas. That would make admitting the Evansville IceMen into the league with their 1,000-seat rec rink seem like a rational plan by comparison.

[Quacky]

I thought they wanted to expand to Phoenix Arizona, and bring back the RoadRunners. Shouldn't this thread be in the rumor portion of this board?:wacko:

That was my thought when I read this thread....it belongs in the Rumors Forum, especially since there isn't a Pipedreams Forum!

[Cyclones Rock]

As stated in another thread, rumors have been running ramped about an IHL team coming to the Cincinnati Gardens. I was up in Dayton at a Gems game a week or so ago and fans there were asking me if I had heard anything to that affect.

The creator of this group claims that the Gardens will be meeting with some potential new owners in the near future.

This certainly does make sense. There is an available arena in Cincinnati that has "minor league hockey" written all over it. Additionally, geographically Cincinnati would make a lot of sense in the IHL.

Best regards,
TwoMinutes

I was always told to be very wary of rumors which run ramped.

I've heard that in addition to the IHL team, the Cincinnati Gardens is seeking a team in the USHL.

The Bank of Kentucky Center, Northern Kentucky University's brand new 10,000 seat facility, is rumored to have made plans to install an ice plant. They have also been rumored to be in negotiations with an eastern-based AHL franchise which is seeking to relocate for the 2010-11 season.

Not to be outdone, US Bank Arena-home to the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones-has been rumored to soon be announcing plans to pursue the aquisition of an economically troubled southern-based NHL team and move it to the Queen City for next season. Rumors involve both the Phoenix Roadrunners and Florida Panthers-two teams whose losses are approaching $30 million each per season. US Bank Arena would continue to host the ECHL Cyclones.

I anxiously look forward to the vast array of hockey choices which will be available in the Cincinnati market in the near future. Decisions, decisions!!

[TwoMinutes]

The IHL can't even make it in Dayton...where there is no other minor league hockey competition. Any IHL team in Cincy would get buried by the Cyclones from an attendance standpoint.

I'm all for the IHL expanding into other markets, but this Cincinnati pipe dream doesn't pass the laugh test.

There really isn't any competition in Cincinnati. Yeah, there's a team downtown but it barely scrapes by. It has nothing to do with the level of interest in the sport, the team is just poorly run. A well run IHL team would run them out of town in a matter of a season or less.

[caps06]

Not to be outdone, US Bank Arena-home to the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones-has been rumored to soon be announcing plans to pursue the aquisition of an economically troubled southern-based NHL team and move it to the Queen City for next season. Rumors involve both the Phoenix Roadrunners and Florida Panthers-two teams whose losses are approaching $30 million each per season. US Bank Arena would continue to host the ECHL Cyclones.

Last I checked, the NHL team in Phoenix is named the Coyotes.

[JabZ]

Since this thread seems to be getting more ridiculous by the minute, I almost feel compelled to build upon Cyclones Rock's brilliantly funny vision of future hockey choices in the Queen City. (How about "Summer Hockey--Who wants to go watch the Reds, anyhow?")

But let me offer a serious reply to the following quote...


There really isn't any competition in Cincinnati. Yeah, there's a team downtown but it barely scrapes by. It has nothing to do with the level of interest in the sport, the team is just poorly run. A well run IHL team would run them out of town in a matter of a season or less.

Do you honestly believe that there are thousands of alienated hockey fans in the Cincinnati area that are just waiting for an alternative to the ECHL product they now have? ("Go see the Cyclones? Nah! Now if we only had an IHL team!") This is not a slam against the IHL. It's just that most minor hockey league fans are going to support whatever level of the game is available to them. Cincinnati has been competitive on the ice in recent seasons, and is demonstrating increased fan support. It's highly unlikely that you would see a wholesale exodus of fans from the USBA to the Gardens. There just wouldn't be any reason for this to happen. At worst, a second team could result in Cincinnati losing hockey for several seasons--neither team making enough money to stay afloat.

(I agree with several other posters--this whole thread belongs in the Rumors Forum.)

[letsgowings]

there really isn't any competition in cincinnati. Yeah, there's a team downtown but it barely scrapes by. It has nothing to do with the level of interest in the sport, the team is just poorly run. a well run ihl team would run them out of town in a matter of a season or less.

:lmao:

[komethckygirl4]

Isn't Quad City getting an NHL team? I think I've heard the rumor too...

[Quacky]

Isn't Quad City getting an NHL team? I think I've heard the rumor too...

Nope. But they've been in discussions with three different AHL teams. I think it's all about the increased attendance..... :angel:

[maddog]

Nope. But they've been in discussions with three different AHL teams. I think it's all about the increased attendance..... :angel:

Well, QC did move the penalty boxes to the opposite side of the ice. Perfect fit for the AHL! :smile:

[mfosterftw]

Perhaps the IHL is going to steal the NAHL's expansion plan, seen here with league commish Mark Frankenfeld...

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh34/marcfosterftw/NAHLexpansion.jpg

[hitsomebody]

And this proposed team would play...where? :unsure:


There's probably some ice in that hole in the ground where the Sports Arena once stood.

These IHL guys are just too much... This drama is better than Law & Order.

[mfrerkes]

Isn't Quad City getting an NHL team? I think I've heard the rumor too...
Well, we did have an NBA team in the 1950s and an NFL team in the 1920s.

I suppose since the Coyotes are averaging around 9,500 per game the iWireless Center would be a perfect fit capacity-wise. Travel costs would be cheaper with Chicago, Saint Louis, and Minnesota all within driving distance.

Anybody have Bettman's phone number?

[mfrerkes]

It's highly unlikely that you would see a wholesale exodus of fans from the USBA to the Gardens. There just wouldn't be any reason for this to happen. At worst, a second team could result in Cincinnati losing hockey for several seasons--neither team making enough money to stay afloat.
If the IHL were to put a team in Cincy with the Cyclones still playing at USBA, I doubt the IHL team could finish out the season. Dayton had to be rescued six weeks into their inaugural season without any in-market competition...and the team is still drawing lousy crowds. They had less than 800 on Sunday.

The IHL needs to expand into markets where they have a legitimate shot at being successful. Cinicinnati isn't one of those.

[Cyclones Rock]

"Two Minutes" is "Gordon's" buddy. He's another minion of a former sub-mediocre Cincinnati hockey radio announcer/team bureaucrat.

There is a small group of clowns/losers in Cincinnati who continually float absurd hockey scenarios. They involve either a new team in the decaying, Hara-like Cincinnati Gardens or the imminent demise of the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones. Their motivation is to create attention for themselves and/or to instill fear in Cyclone fans who haven't much understanding of the business side of hockey.

They should be regarded as the buffoons which they are. This "two minutes"'s semi-literate postings are really quite pathetic.

[Quacky]

Hey, CR.....how about you tell us how you really feel??! :lmao:

BTW, you gotta know I love it.....

[Gordon Bombay]

There is a small group of clowns/losers in Cincinnati who continually float absurd hockey scenarios. They involve either a new team in the decaying, Hara-like Cincinnati Gardens or the imminent demise of the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones. Their motivation is to create attention for themselves and/or to instill fear in Cyclone fans who haven't much understanding of the business side of hockey.

haha, you really are a silly guy.

As I explained to you the other night when I came by your seat to say hi at the Cyclones game (when you refused to shake my hand and tried to tell me you can be "one abrasive mother ______ "), all I did was post the facebook group and ask people what they thought about the possibility of an IHL team coming to town. I stated I'd be interested, but never claimed that it had any certain chance or that I had any inside info or that it was even a slight possibility. A hope for some, maybe, but nothing concrete. Many didn't think it was a good idea or that it could even work, certainly valid points like the ones Quacky and mrfekes had. You on the other hand, went on an attack against me, someone you've only met briefly twice, when I've had nothing to do with any other rumors and never have tried to "instill fear" amongst Cyclones fans. In fact, I consider myself a Cyclones fan, I promote them and recently promoted their blood drive on my website. I told you where I would be sitting, had you stopped by you would've seen that I brought six people with me to the game who wouldn't normally attend a clones game.

As far as the "getting attention" thing you accuse me of, like I tried to explain to you the other night in person; if it's attention I wanted, my picture and an article about me were on the front page of the Cincinnati Enquirer last Tuesday and in the coming weeks I'll be on the Fox 19 Morning News discussing photography and politics in Cincinnati, I think I can get more attention for myself through those outlets if that was really my goal.

[Primis]

And this proposed team would play...where? :unsure:

Some people just plain don't think before they start rumors... Aside from Lucas, Tam-O-Shanter in Sylvania and the Ice House on the north side off Alexis are the only other two sheets in the area.

Tam-o-Shanter doesn't have the seating or the parking (it's jammed between two subdivisions/condos and a large park -- I used to live literally next-door to it, trust me) and is already committed to HS and rec hockey, and the Ice House already houses a junior B team and HS hockey.

But hey, don't let thing like that stop mindless rumors of IHL expansion!!

[Quacky]

Perhaps the IHL is going to steal the NAHL's expansion plan, seen here with league commish Mark Frankenfeld...

That is funny....