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The WHL has announced a news conference tomorrow announcing information of status of Chilliwack and Victoria.It should be interesting as some concrete information will hopefully be given .There are just too many rumours swirling about this and other possible relocations.Lets get the facts!!!:groovy:
VICTORIA, BC – It’s been almost 20 years, but the wait is over for hockey fans on Vancouver Island. The WHL will return to the City of Victoria next season, the Western Hockey League and RG Properties Ltd. announced today.
The WHL Board of Governors has approved the sale of the WHL franchise in Chilliwack and its relocation to Victoria effective starting with the 2011-12 season. Graham Lee, whose company RG Properties developed, built and operates the 7,000-seat Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, has purchased the franchise and will move the WHL franchise to the B.C. capital for the start of next season.
“We are very excited to bring WHL hockey back to Victoria,” said Lee. “From the day we first got involved with this building over a decade ago, our goal has been to look at all opportunities that will bring excitement and entertainment to the city as well as providing economic benefits. Bringing a WHL team to Victoria exemplifies that commitment.”
“We are very pleased to be in a position to announce the WHL will be returning to the City of Victoria and Vancouver Island next season,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Although any relocation is a difficult process, we know the Victoria market will be a great addition to the WHL.”
“The WHL is a part of Canadian hockey culture. The league is all about community, and our focus with the team is all about being a strong partner in the community,” said Dave Dakers, President of RG Sports and Entertainment. “Vancouver Island’s top young players will now have the chance to play at the highest level right here at home in front of a hometown crowd.”
“It is exciting to have a WHL team back in the Capital City. It is an opportunity to be part of building the future of hockey,” said Mayor of Victoria, Dean Fortin. “Our new team will greatly add to the diverse and family-friendly entertainment that makes our city great.”
The WHL is the premier junior hockey development league in the country and had more players drafted in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft than any other League in the world, with 43 players selected in all and seven selected in the first round.
The B.C. capital was home to a WHL franchise for 23 seasons from 1971 to 1994. During that period, Victoria’s WHL teams produced over 50 NHL players including well-known stars such as Geoff and Russ Courtnall, Grant Fuhr, Mel Bridgeman and Greg Adams, just to name a few. The WHL Victoria Cougars franchise was relocated to Prince George in 1994.
“It's going to be great to see local kids in WHL uniforms on the Island! I think we'll see bigger crowds, there is more of a local appetite for this brand of hockey. That should also give a boost to local businesses to get behind the team,” said John Tinker, President and Owner of Big Stake Ventures and Victoria Keg Steakhouses
NOT!!!
The greed driven owners of the WHL just opened the doors to a new member of the "We Run the League Club". First, let me say that I do not have a problem with a franchise in Victoria. I have a huge problem with the way it was done. It comes at the expense of the fans of Chilliwack, their sponsors, the billets, and the employees of the Prospera Centre who will now have 36 less days of work, if they have not been laid off already. The former owners of the Bruins completely put the screws to the city all in the name of $$$$. Of course the owners in the WHL welcome another big money partner who demanded and got an established franchise. Does that now make the owners of some of the community owned teams nervous? Swift, Moose Jaw, PA, Lethbridge? Because the league still does not have that 11-11 conference balance. Had Nanaimo been ready with a new rink, thus having two teams on the island would have made perfect sense. But now each of the teams that visit Victoria will have the added expense of the return trip ferry ride. Plus some of the clubs (due to scheduling) will likely have to play back-to-back games in Victoria (like the old days) in order to avoid two trips to the island.
This has left a black eye on the WHL, to completely disregard Chilliwack. Which team will be moving to fill the void? Kootenay is already selling season tickets for next season, so they are out, PG's owner has said they are going no where (would be nice to see them move south though) and the only other club with apparent problems is the Regina Pats who are having lease troubles.
And there is the possibility of the Coyotes moving to Winnipeg which will mean relocating the Moose which could result in another WHL team relocating.
It is a mess.....but when money talks, the mess is usually swept under the rug. Unfortunately there are people still left standing on the rug and therefore get the lumps.
:soapbox:
Chilliwack Bruins website has been removed from www.whl.ca and the league has added a Victoria website.I would be shocked if another team were to move .It looks like Chilliwack will look to get a junior A franchise back and they have alot of history in the BCHL.
same can be said about the Cougars when they left Victoria. The owner ran the team into the dumps, then blamed lack of fan support and moved the team to Prince George. Suprise , surprise, i have heard that Brodsky has tried to do the same in PG. Maybe he is now changign his tune since he ahs applied to host the Memorial Cup.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuck in the Penalty Box
After the way the league and robinson pulled this BS off I doubt there is much trust left in the fans . having a new or near new rink and decent fan\corporate support doesnt mean your team is safe. In this league MONEY talks and your team moves. No wonder attendance is the same year in year out. robinson is the bettman of the WHL . :burningmad: