[Yorken Bay]

Toronto, Detroit, Hamilton.

Really puts to bed the long held thinking that the market is overly saturated and that's why the NHL won't come here.

Even without Buffalo, you'd have to think if 3 PHWL teams can work, 4 NHL teams would have no problem.

 

[Yorken Bay]

I also have to wonder with 3 Fall/Winter leagues taking up 60 dates + playoffs...is this still a "concert first" venue?

I wonder if the CEBL will return as well.

 

[BCTed]

Toronto, Detroit, Hamilton.

Really puts to bed the long held thinking that the market is overly saturated and that's why the NHL won't come here.

Even without Buffalo, you'd have to think if 3 PHWL teams can work, 4 NHL teams would have no problem.

This is super exciting (moreso than the AHL) and I have every hope that the PWHL does well, but I actually think the NHL would be more of a sure thing in terms of support.

I also have to wonder with 3 Fall/Winter leagues taking up 60 dates + playoffs...is this still a "concert first" venue?

I wonder if the CEBL will return as well.

I suspect that they might do doubleheader days with the AHL and the PWHL.

I think it is still a concerts-first venue, but it does seem that the concert biz is coming off a peak and is experiencing a bit of a drop-off.

I think the CEBL is currently too small to get space at TD.

 

[BCTed]

Also, while I had hoped for much more with the renovations, OVG has definitely delivered in terms of content. Awesome sauce.

 

[Yorken Bay]

This is super exciting (moreso than the AHL) ne I have every hope that the PWHL does well, but I actually think the NHL would be more of a sure thing in terms of support.



I suspect that they might do doubleheader days with the AHL and the PWHL.

I think it is still a concerts-first venue, but it does seem that the concert biz is coming off a peak and is experiencing a bit of a drop-off.

I think the CEBL is currently too small to get space at TD.

Reported today on Sportsnet.ca that Mark Cuban has taken a stake in our former Honey Badgers.

I was surprised a big name like him is involved. Could be he sees growth potential in the CEBL.

 

[Mihairokov]

Even without Buffalo, you'd have to think if 3 PHWL teams can work, 4 NHL teams would have no problem.

This math doesn't work out when the revenue demands (sponsors, payrolls, corporate agreements, etc.) of NHL teams are much higher than that of PWHL. This deal is happening with Hamilton because of the PWHL's agreement with OVG.

It's also different in the way that PWHL doesn't have individually-owned franchises.

 

[Stec]

I also have to wonder with 3 Fall/Winter leagues taking up 60 dates + playoffs...is this still a "concert first" venue?

I wonder if the CEBL will return as well.

Concerts a currently experiencing Blue Dot Fever maybe they are adapting to the changing market!? Though I think Blue Dot Fever may only be a short term issue who knows... https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainmen...-scrapping-shows-some-say-its-blue-dot-fever/

 

[JakeLRS]

I was kind of surprised the PWHL would expand to Hamilton given the close proximity to Toronto alongside having a nearby Ottawa and Detroit franchise, but as a growing league, it kind of makes some sense.
1. Obviously we have a renovated arena with plenty of open dates allowing them to get preferred dates/timing for games.
2. OVG has had involvement with the PWHL, so I'm certain they played a big role in this.
3. Reduces costs for the league. Having franchises closer together greatly reduces the cost of travel for these teams. Putting teams further away (say in 3 different U.S.), would have significant expenses for travel, something you want to reduce as a growing league.
4.. Rivalry -- Having a GTA rivalry will encourage fans from both teams to travel to the other teams' barn, thus driving up revenue.

 

[Red October]

""Yes, hockey is back," she said. "The AHL is back. The (New York) Islanders, as everybody knows, have chosen Hamilton as the new home for their affiliate. And without spilling any beans, I can say I'm pretty confident that there's more to come.""

The article is available on HPL now fyi

I'm still sceptical that a minor hockey affiliate of a different NHL team can be super successful (didn't work for the Bulldogs when they were Edmonton/Montreal's affiliate), but I hope it is. I do think Hamilton deserves some sort of steady team to call their own.

 

[JakeLRS]

It is kind of unfortunate the affiliate now is the Islanders.
Both the Habs and Oilers have a decent following in the GTHA. Would've loved to watch the Oilers affiliate whenever I'm in town.

 

[EdFitzgerald]

"Why should anybody want women's hockey when it's not as good as the NHL" is not the great stance you think it is.

Why watch Olympic women's swimming when Olympic men can swim faster? Forget the achievements of Summer McIntosh. Why watch women's figure skating when male figure skaters can jump higher? Why watch Serena Williams when a man could beat her in a match? This doesn't seem to be a problem in most sports, there is an audience for both mens and womens sports.

By extension, why buy tickets to see the Bulldogs when you can watch the Marlies? Why buy tickets to the Ticats when you can buy tickets to see the Bills. I could go on.

Young girls don't grow up to be men, they need their own pathway to professional sports. I have 3 daughters under 12 who play hockey in Stoney Creek. We've been to PWHL games and had a great time. I'd be happy to take my kids back to TD Coliseum to watch PWHL games.