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ChazyG
(The Next Level!)
USA
377 Posts |
 Posted - 04/06/2012 : 10:30:46 AM
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http://www.chicagoexpresshockey.com/news/index.html?article_id=413
Express withdraw from the ECHL
By: Bob Mills
April 6, 2012
Hoffman Estates, IL - The Chicago Express have announced today that they are withdrawing from the ECHL, effectively ending the Chicago Express organization immediately.
"Although the Chicago Express are ceasing operations, on behalf of the staff and players, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all the support we received from the Village of Hoffman Estates, Global Spectrum, our business and community partners, our corporate sponsors, and especially, our fans," said team owner Craig Drecktrah. "I would also like to thank our ECHL partners, and wish good luck to those teams participating in the 2012 Kelly Cup Playoffs."
Vouchers for Chicago Express Youth Jerseys can continue to be redeemed at the Sears Centre Arena Box Office. Please make sure to have your voucher with you upon jersey redemption. The vouchers expire on June 1, 2012, and after that date receipt of the jersey can no longer be guaranteed.
The team competed in its first season this year, collecting a record of 34-26-8-4 for 80 points. They finished tied for eighth in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but were beaten out for the final playoff position by the Reading Royals due to Reading owning the tie-breaker. All press inquiries should be directed to info@chicagoexpresshockey.com, or call 224-220-1333. |
<<Section 102 RowG>>
http://www.CyclonesFanclub.org
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Reggie Dunlop
(The Next Level!)
USA
399 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2012 : 10:36:13 AM
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| This is sad news. They had become a good divisional rival and had some decent players. The Sears Center was a first-rate facility, too. It's unfortunate they couldn't make it work. |
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BP2011
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
531 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2012 : 11:02:31 AM
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| Yea anytime a team leaves its tough, but they had a worst battle then the Clones do, we just try to gain more media coverage, which is decent in the news media, but newspaper I wont go there. They have to fight the Blackhawks, Wolves and Bulls during the Winter for fans and coverage. That is a losing fight and one not worth attempting, but they tried. The league adding OFFICIALLY San Fran and Orlando, and UNOFFICIALLY Fort Wayne and Evansville so far looks decent for the silver season. |
08, 10 Kelly Cup Champions
08, 10, 14 American Conference Champions
08, 09, 13 North Division Champions
08 Brabham Cup Champions |
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Reggie Dunlop
(The Next Level!)
USA
399 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2012 : 11:22:15 AM
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| It seemed like Chicago had a decent business model, though. Indeed, they were fighting all the other Chicago teams, but they offered an affordable, convenient experience. I assumed they were just trying to create a fan base out in the northwest part of Chicagoland, much the way the Gladiator have done in north Atlanta (every prior to the Thrasher leaving). It certainly didn't seem like the Express was marketed too well. I sat next to a guy at one of the games who got free tickets and he thought he was going to a Wolves game. Pretty telling. |
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Hakeedude
(Been Here Awhile)
524 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2012 : 07:18:50 AM
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| I wonder what rock Martinson and his goonie birds will turn up under. |
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ChazyG
(The Next Level!)
USA
377 Posts |
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Reggie Dunlop
(The Next Level!)
USA
399 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2012 : 4:44:52 PM
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| Say what you will about Martinson, but he has six titles to his name and another trip to the finals. He's not my favorite, but he gets players to perform. |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2012 : 8:31:42 PM
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Saying Martinson wins championships and that he gets players to perform is a joke. His most recent title came in a 6 team UHL. His other titles were from the WCHL which never had more than 9 teams. Not exactly long playoff runs.
Martinson's teams are all the same. They consist of mostly goons and thugs and several skilled players. Rather than coach the goons into playing hockey he expects even the skilled guys to goon it up. It creates space via intimidation for the skilled guys. The sad thing is, this season Chicago teams was one of the most talented teams in the league on paper and the lack of coaching and development kept them from going anywhere. The success of his teams are typically in spite of his coaching.
I will always be a Cyclones fan but I would be very much opposed to the organization bringing him to town. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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Reggie Dunlop
(The Next Level!)
USA
399 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2012 : 10:36:46 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by elvis77
Saying Martinson wins championships and that he gets players to perform is a joke. His most recent title came in a 6 team UHL. His other titles were from the WCHL which never had more than 9 teams. Not exactly long playoff runs.
Martinson's teams are all the same. They consist of mostly goons and thugs and several skilled players. Rather than coach the goons into playing hockey he expects even the skilled guys to goon it up. It creates space via intimidation for the skilled guys. The sad thing is, this season Chicago teams was one of the most talented teams in the league on paper and the lack of coaching and development kept them from going anywhere. The success of his teams are typically in spite of his coaching.
I will always be a Cyclones fan but I would be very much opposed to the organization bringing him to town.
Better to win a league championship than to lose it. Traditionally, the object of competition is to vanquish your opponents. In six instances, Martinson's teams accomplished this and were the last ones standing. Winning is winning. |
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ChazyG
(The Next Level!)
USA
377 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2012 : 11:26:58 AM
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| I love the clones but I assure you I would not renew my full season tix... I would probably still come to a few games but I wouldn't be attending my 40 + I attended this year. |
<<Section 102 RowG>>
http://www.CyclonesFanclub.org
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Hakeedude
(Been Here Awhile)
524 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2012 : 3:03:13 PM
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quote:
Better to win a league championship than to lose it. Traditionally, the object of competition is to vanquish your opponents. In six instances, Martinson's teams accomplished this and were the last ones standing. Winning is winning.
Nice to win of course, but what has he done since coming to the ECHL?
I kind of liked Chicago's style when they temporarily stopped gooning it up.
But that didn't last long. |
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tamg4393
(The Next Level!)
USA
237 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2012 : 5:27:29 PM
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Very well put Elvis, as always!
quote:
Originally posted by elvis77
Saying Martinson wins championships and that he gets players to perform is a joke. His most recent title came in a 6 team UHL. His other titles were from the WCHL which never had more than 9 teams. Not exactly long playoff runs.
Martinson's teams are all the same. They consist of mostly goons and thugs and several skilled players. Rather than coach the goons into playing hockey he expects even the skilled guys to goon it up. It creates space via intimidation for the skilled guys. The sad thing is, this season Chicago teams was one of the most talented teams in the league on paper and the lack of coaching and development kept them from going anywhere. The success of his teams are typically in spite of his coaching.
I will always be a Cyclones fan but I would be very much opposed to the organization bringing him to town.
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2008 Kelly cup champs, the best Cyclones team ever! |
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gfd28
(Rookie)
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2012 : 11:18:59 PM
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I just don't get it. Call me young, call me dumb, call me unedumacated, call me stupid.
If you think you are going to make two teams of the same sport no matter what league survive in the world and economy of today you are a complete idiot. I don't care if the Express and Blackhawks were on the exact equidistant side of Chicago. It will not work today.
I hate Nascar with a passion, but at least they figured out you can't run races on the same day at the same time. Their "leagues" run days ahead of the big race. Amazing how the red necks figured it out way ahead of the hockey world, and their rink doesn't require any care other than massive blow driers.
I am on a rant, I know, but come on people. This is about as smart as replying to a spam email about your over sea securities from someone you never have met. It sounds great but just don't do it.
Common Sense = 1
Chicago Express = 0
As for Dayton, again, you don't dig for gold if there is nothing showing in the pan. Don't start a hockey franchise the year after one just folded due to attendence. This town I live 15 minutes from is falling apart faster than the common sense generator in Chicago. Granted I don't think the word is out yet on if they are continuing yet or not, but who in the right mind picks up the trash from a year ago and thinks it will thrive? This isn't american pickers, this is american leftover trash. It will not re-ignite.
Common Sense = 1
Dayton Gems = 0 |
Edited by - gfd28 on 04/10/2012 11:24:27 PM |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2012 : 09:59:50 AM
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| To build on what what gfd28 said, The Express weren't just fighting the Blackhawks but the AHL Chicago Wolves as well, who play just minutes down the road from the Express Hoffman Estates location. Moreover, the Express ticket prices were very close to what the Wolves were charging. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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