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Primis
(Finally Got A Star!)
USA
56 Posts |
 Posted - 02/09/2010 : 10:02:46 AM
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http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2010/02/its_official_lumberjacks_hocke.html
The IHL officially loses the first team this season. The Jacks will finish out the IHL season, and then new ownership will come in and LC Walker Arena will house a USHL franchise starting next season, retaining the Lumberjacks name (and presumably colors).
The new owner states that they looked at Madison, WI, Lacrosse, WI, and Lousiville, KY as well as Battle Creek, MI, but decided Muskegon was the best of them.
Quad City has an "out" built into their contract, where if the IHL dips below 7 teams their arena can tell them to find another league. That bears watching. QC's owner has already been a bit of a rabble-rouser in the league in only their first season back. They don't HAVE to exercise the out, but it seems likely they would.
The Frankes have already begun to spin this as "being good for the league" because less teams means each team will have better players and not be dilluted (I'm being serious, one of the Frankes was actually quoted on this in a Fort Wayne story). |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2010 : 10:59:53 AM
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| If I'm recalling correctly, I believe I read somewhere that a league must have a minimum of 6 teams in order for it to employ international players. I can't find where I read that but it would make some sense; when K-zoo left the IHL, the League was quick to add Dayton which kept them at 6 teams. |
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BP2011
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
531 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2010 : 11:00:57 AM
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| Probably belongs in the general hockey category, but it just goes to show that the ECHL is by far the best AA league followed by the CHL, Ft Wayne is the only team holding the "IHL" together. IMO the true IHL has not existed since it folded in 2001. |
08, 10 Kelly Cup Champions
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hrc666
(Loves To Post!)
1363 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2010 : 1:47:13 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Primis
The Frankes have already begun to spin this as "being good for the league" because less teams means each team will have better players and not be dilluted (I'm being serious, one of the Frankes was actually quoted on this in a Fort Wayne story).
 Only those who chug the orange kool aide could buy this one.
I assume that the IHL will be safe for next season. Remember, self-described, reliable "inside sources" have told us that the IHL is having "serious discussions" about coming to the Cincinnati Gardens next season. I mean, they even have a Facebook page about establishing a team. That's "done deal" stuff as far as I'm concerned. LOL.
Add that to the team which will play in a 1,000 seat arena in Evansville and the Chicago Hounds who folded after but one season a few years back, and the IHL is raring to go into the 2010-11 season with a minimum of 9 teams. Hell, they'll probably have more than the ECHL when all is said and done.
With a base of franchises like Flint, Bloomington, Port Huron and Dayton, how could anyone question the solidness of this league?
@Elvis. I've read numerous times about the 6 team/immigration linkage. I'm too lazy right now to look up a primary source to link, but unless it's a myth that's had substantial legs, then I'll assume that the 6 team requirement is true. |
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Edited by - hrc666 on 02/09/2010 1:54:42 PM |
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Gordon Bombay
(The Next Level!)
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2010 : 7:07:29 PM
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Sad to see Muskegon go, but from what I've read its been a pretty rocky season for them with the stories of the team lacking good equipment. Best of luck to the USHL franchise.
Its a shame the IHL is so unstable and with how often it adds teams and looses them it almost reminds me of the WHA with all of its different franchises. Its a fun league to watch and I like that the teams can have more veteran players and are pretty close in one region, makes road tripping kind of easy for the fans. I've thoroughly enjoyed games in Dayton and Fort Wayne.
If the IHL eventually ceases completely I wonder what will become of some of the teams. The Komets are such a mainstay in Fort Wayne that they'll undoubtedly take the franchise to a new league. I wonder which league that franchise would end up in. Dayton, with its new owners, seems to be turning things around. Wouldn't mind seeing them in the ECHL for some I-75 rivalries with the clones. |
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