2023-24 Marlies/Growlers Discussion
- Thread starter herman
- Start date
Arn
Well-known member
bustaheims said:
St Johns just seems like one of those places that is just a little too cut off to make sustainable.
I wonder if MLSE would let the current company fold then set up its own in St Johns knowing they'll need to subsidise other clubs transport costs, or if this is right and they're going to try and find something more local.
How much is the Marlies rink used outside of Marlies games? Could it host ECHL also?
herman
Well-known member
The Marlies have loaned players to the Wichita Thunder previously, including Bobby McMann (Edmonton's affiliate at the time, now San Jose's); it's kind of far.
Brampton lost the OHL Battalion to North Bay due to attendance issues, and the ECHL Beasts folded in 2020-21 (obvious reasons). I can see it working there again.
Brampton lost the OHL Battalion to North Bay due to attendance issues, and the ECHL Beasts folded in 2020-21 (obvious reasons). I can see it working there again.
bustaheims
Well-known member
herman said:
If they see a net positive elsewhere, an organization like MLSE would just need the team to not hemorrhage money in order to keep them around. So, yeah, could definitely make it work, if that?s what they wanted.
herman said:
A ECHL close by would be ideal of course but I just don't see one having any kind of financial success in the GTA. Attendance has always been an issue with non-Leafs hockey there. Maybe if Hamilton loses the OHL Bulldogs permanently to Brantford it could open that arena (currently undergoing some renovations) to another hockey team. Otherwise it probably just makes sense to find something close-ish in the States, since operating a Canadian team in a league 99% American has some obvious challenges.
OldTimeHockey
Active member
herman said:
Mississauga Steelheads are moving to Brampton for next season due to poor attendance in Mississauga. Overall it's only a 7km move so I'm not sure what will change. Brampton lost the Battalion to North Bay 10 years ago due to poor attendance.
Apparently, for the recent Sudbury/Mississauga 1st round playoff series, games in Mississauga saw more Sudbury fans than Steelhead fans.
Guilt Trip
Well-known member
They need to make it more affordable. I go to the games when I can get tickets for a decent price. I'm not paying $25 to watch that when I can go watch Midget AAA for free and see multiple games in a night.OldTimeHockey said:
OldTimeHockey
Active member
Guilt Trip said:
I don't mind paying the $25 to support the local Junior team. It's an expensive program to run and if we don't support it, it disappears. I understand that compared to Toronto, there's far less distractions here in Sudbury. Here, if you want a night out, a junior game is a good escape for a hockey focused family.
So with that said, I do understand why the support isn't necessarily there in Toronto. Making it cheaper may make it more attractive to families. But I'm not 100% sure what the leeway is there. How much can they knock off the ticket prices/popcorn prices and still make it a viable program?
Doing a quick look at other large cities, and their junior programs, it seems they do get more support.
Calgary Hitmen - Avg Attendance: 4529 (They have gone down significantly since covid. They actually peaked in 2004/2005 with over 10,000/game, but that coincides with the NHL lockout)
Vancouver Giants - Avg Attendance: 3673. They also peaked in mid 2000's but have been in the 3500-3750 range for the past 6 seasons
Edmonton Oil Kings - Avg Attendance: 7404
Seattle Thunderbirds - Avg Attendance: 4654
Mississauga Steelheads - Avg Attendance: 2434(lowest in OHL the past two seasons)
Guilt Trip
Well-known member
Thats kind of my point..It too expensive for familiesOldTimeHockey said:
Highlander
Active member
Just noticed that Noah Chadwick has been assigned to the Marlies (now Lethbridge is out of the playoffs) and is practising with the team. Don't think he will see any game action but good to work with the players and the development team.
herman
Well-known member
Marlies defense next season is going to be kind of full of bodies
* expected to sign
AHL contract
Then there's Marlie vets + additional projects that the loss of the ECHL affiliate presses upward; not sure of their contract status for next season:
LD: Matteo Pietroniro, Cameron Gaunce, Jonny Tychonick, Matt Hellickson
RD: Tommy Miller, Nolan Dillingham
As well as any Leaf UFA D depth (e.g. Lajoie) they might pick up.
| LD | RD | |
| Mikko Kokkonen | Topi Niemela | |
| Marshall Rifai | William Villeneuve | |
| Cade Webber* | Nicolas Mattinen | |
| Noah Chadwick | Chas Sharpe |
* expected to sign
AHL contract
Then there's Marlie vets + additional projects that the loss of the ECHL affiliate presses upward; not sure of their contract status for next season:
LD: Matteo Pietroniro, Cameron Gaunce, Jonny Tychonick, Matt Hellickson
RD: Tommy Miller, Nolan Dillingham
As well as any Leaf UFA D depth (e.g. Lajoie) they might pick up.
Guilt Trip
Well-known member
Was quite the game amd a gteat atmosphere. Clifford took a questionable 5 min major to let Belle back in it and then Belle tied it on another PP woth the goalie out after Blandisi missed an open net...unreal.cw said:
Hildeby made a lot of solid saves. Hes huge. Love 73 Solow. Guy stirs it up, great forechecker and can draw penalties...he chirps everyone including the linesman lol.
Big win, deciding game Sunday
Highlander
Active member
Anyone know where the Marlies can be seen today. I am in BC so probably will need a free link to watch on the Compute
Highlander
Active member
Marlies lose 4-3 in overtime
Dammit
Dammit
Guilt Trip
Well-known member
That's too bad. Went to the game on Friday when they won in OT...great game.Highlander said:
Highlander
Active member
We just lost at least 3 games of playoff hockey that would have benefited the prospects to a very great extentGuilt Trip said: