Franchise Rumors

So if you believe the rumors, the makeup of the NAHL for the 2009-2010 season might include teams from:
- Lake Tahoe, California
- Jamestown, New York
- Janesville, Wisconsin
- Hibbing, Minnesota
- Thief River Falls, Minnesota
- Rochester Ice Hawks
- Texas Tornado
- A second California team
- None of the Michigan teams (Alpena, Marqutte, Traverse City, Motor City)
- Not Mahoning Valley
- Not North Iowa, Bismarck, or Alexandria
- Another Texas team (besides Texas Tornado and Wichita Falls)
- A second Wisconsin team
- Aberdeen, South Dakota
- Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- A team based in Canada
- The Jamaican Bobsled team
- The Harlem Globetrotters

The sad thing is that I was only kidding with the last two. A wise man once said, "Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see." At this point, I think that old saying pretty much sums up my opinion of all the crap floating around in regards to next season.

With the apparent/impending launch of USA Hockey's big "Superteam" concept, it seems that all 19 teams in this years NAHL are thinking of making the jump to the USHL. However, it just isn't feasible except for maybe the Mahoning Valley franchise. The truth is most of the home rinks in the NAHL are not big enough to fit into the USHL's plans. Most importantly, if teams can't make money in the NAHL why do they think they can make money in the USHL where expenses are even higher??

Now, as far as new teams entering the mix for next season, you can never rule anything out. Just in the last 2 seasons, the powers that be in the NAHL have allowed two ownership groups that shouldn't be allowed to operate a lemonade stand on the corner, to buy NAHL franchises. That being said, I just don't see the NAHL in California. Travel costs and lack of proper arenas are the two most prohibitive reasons. On the flip side, hockey is booming in California, and it would be still make more sense than having teams in Alaska.

The Jamestown, New York rumor is interesting, being that the closest team to the Atlantic Ocean is Mahoning Valley and they might be making the jump to the USHL. The other part of this rumor was that it would be a Barry Soskin owned team. Soskin currently owns and operates the Albert Lea Thunder. So are the Thunder moving to New York or would the league allow one guy to own two franchises??

The Janesville, Wisconsin team I can actually see happening. The city seems to be onboard, and it's within the current NAHL "footprint". Would they be playing in the Central Division, or the North Division??

The Hibbing and Thief River Falls, Minnesota rumors are interesting. We have heard for over a year that TRF wants a team, and I heard they have a nice rink. Could the former Fargo-Moorhead Jets franchise rise from the ashes in TRF??

The Rochester Ice Hawks to the NAHL is another interesting rumor. They have a good thing going in the MJHL, and get nice crowds at their games, but could they handle the huge increase in operating expenses?? It would be real nice for the Express if it did happen, but I just don't see it happening until the economy turns around.

What does it all boil down to?? If the NAHL expands their footprint even more than they have in the last few years, I think you'll see a shift to a more regionally based league. By that I mean that there won't be much for inter-division games, and the Robertson Cup would become more of a true "National Championship".

What do I think will happen?? I'm just making a somewhat educated guess here, but I think that Mahoning Valley makes the jump to the USHL. With the USNTDP already switching leagues, the USHL needs one more team to even out the divisions, and MV has the Chevy Center to play in. I think the North Division will still be the North Division. Traverse City doesn't draw well enough to jump to the USHL, and our friends in Motor City will last one more year. I think Janesville, Wisconsin will have a team, and they will probably end up in the Central Division. Although it would make more sense to put them in the North Division, especially if MV makes the jump. I think the Texas Tornado will be back in the NAHL for next season, and I could totally see an expansion team somewhere in Texas as well.

One thing is for sure: It will be an interesting spring and early summer, and the makeup of the NAHL will have a different look going into this fall's Showcase.


Changing topics here: Congratulations to Express goalie Freddy Bergman on being named Honorable Mention NAHL goalie of the month for February.

See you at the rink.

--Big Kahuna