Tulsa, Wichita Ready for the AHL?

[Laramie]

When will Tulsa join the American Hockey League (AHL)?


Time for Tulsa & Wichita to jump from the CHL (Goon league) to the AHL?

Tulsa's BOK Center:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/glytle/3018570955/

Wichita's Intrust Bank Arena:  http://www.wichitalinks.com/intrust-bank-arena.html

Oklahoma City Council just approved steps to clear the way for the AHL in our city in 2010-11.  Wichita currently has an new arena under construction.

Links:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-ap-hkm-oklahoma-hockey,0,2395232.story

http://www.syracuse.com/mobile/ap/index.ssf?/base/sports-149/1260901076272710.xml&storylist=sports

Cox Convention Center (Old Myriad)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rshartley/3709740985/

The BOK Center would be a much better fit for Tulsa to enter the AHL.  We will renovate the Cox Convention Center (old Myriad) which seats 13,500 for ice hockey.  

If the AHL is successful in OKC, this team could play some key games at the Ford Center.

Currently the Southwest cities of  Texas (Austin), Houston & San Antonio are in the AHL.

American Hockey League Official website:  http://theahl.com/

[FOTD]

Another attempt to meld Tulsa into OKshitties little sister....

Why don't we just duke it out.... (ooops, we already are in a ticket tussel with the WNBA and TU basketball and High School basketball and on and on....)

Why did the team in the crapitol leave our league in the first place?

[Hoss]

Not ready for it, and Wichita sure isn't.  I'm comfortable with the CHL for now.

Good luck getting your AHL team; I know several from down the pike that say it still isn't a done deal.

[Laramie]

Another attempt to meld Tulsa into OKshitties little sister....

Why don't we just duke it out.... (ooops, we already are in a ticket tussel with the WNBA and TU basketball and High School basketball and on and on....)

Why did the team in the crapitol leave our league in the first place?

Sorry, FOTD:

I take that back (I'm in error)!  You are as dumb as your pic looks!

1.  I sure the BOK Center would draw better crowds for hockey in the AHL than in the CHL playing against cities like Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, Chicago...

2.  I'm an avocate of Tulsa getting to the NHL.  I think the AHL would be a stepping stone.

3.  It would be great AOklahoma if Tulsa had the NHL and OKC the NBA.

I feel that with the BOK Center, Tulsa would draw better than OKC in the Cox Center.  

As for your little sister comment--if the shoe fits--you should wear it--On with those rubby slippers and drape-made dress Miss Scarlett!

As far as that other comment (Why don't we just duke it out.... )--you don't want to go there with me!

[FOTD]

Listen up ME, the NHL will never be in Tulsa. NEVER. Unless it's an exhibition game.

That wish shows your naivety.

[YoungTulsan]

Is that Witchitalinks site really anti-arena, or did it get hacked?  It is hilarious nevertheless.  They are lucky SOBs that they only passed a 30-month 1 cent sales tax to build their arena.  We're paying this damn thing for what, 13 years?

[USRufnex]

It's deja vous.... all over again.... http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11082&highlight=Laramie4OKC

Anybody else enjoy the irony of Bob Funk Jr. calling his organization "Prodigal Hockey LLC"?
I was personally hoping for "Divorce Settlement LLC" but, in the words of the 'Stones, "You can't always get what you want."  

Odd that I was told years ago by OKCers that the Blazers were a highly successful organization-- implying they were "in the black" or at least breaking even.... yet Funk Jr. claims the team lost $6mil over ten years cuz they gave out "too many freebies."

If AHL happens, good for them.  They'll be playing at the Cox Center (Myriad), not the Ford Center.  
They'll pay about $7500 per game rent; heckuva deal.  

If Tulsa or Wichita have any interest in following suit and attempted to snag a team, I'd suggest they wait until Funk Jr. has at least 2-3 seasons under his belt....... my bet is he loses a ton of money and then moves back to the "goon" CHL under the Blazers name....

[Laramie]

It's deja vous.... all over again.... http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11082&highlight=Laramie4OKC

Anybody else enjoy the irony of Bob Funk Jr. calling his organization "Prodigal Hockey LLC"?
I was personally hoping for "Divorce Settlement LLC" but, in the words of the 'Stones, "You can't always get what you want."  

Odd that I was told years ago by OKCers that the Blazers were a highly successful organization-- implying they were "in the black" or at least breaking even.... yet Funk Jr. claims the team lost $6mil over ten years cuz they gave out "too many freebies."

If AHL happens, good for them.  They'll be playing at the Cox Center (Myriad), not the Ford Center.  
They'll pay about $7500 per game rent; heckuva deal.  

If Tulsa or Wichita have any interest in following suit and attempted to snag a team, I'd suggest they wait until Funk Jr. has at least 2-3 seasons under his belt....... my bet is he loses a ton of money and then moves back to the "goon" CHL under the Blazers name....

USRufnex:  You have a damn good memory when you can go that far back--hats off to ya!

I'll give it up to you, you don't come on any of the boards half-cocked!

[sgrizzle]

Is that Witchitalinks site really anti-arena, or did it get hacked?  It is hilarious nevertheless.  They are lucky SOBs that they only passed a 30-month 1 cent sales tax to build their arena.  We're paying this damn thing for what, 13 years?

Not sure what happened but it's pretty awesome.
Theres was 1c for 30mo for one project. Ours was a lot of projects and only about 3/4 of a cent.

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City's Cox Convention Center will undergo $4 million in renovation and AHL franchise to begin play for 2010-11 season.

Oklahoma City new Cox Convention Center (formerly the Myriad).

http://www.livepumpkins.net/audio/1996-11-23_oklahoma_city_oklahoma/files/Cox%20Convention%20Center%20(Once%20Called%20the%20Myriad%20Arena).jpg

Oklahoma City expected to join the same division with Houston, San Antonio, & Texas (Austin) in its' inagural year.

Link/video:  http://www.newsok.com/oklahoma-city-lands-american-hockey-league-team/article/3438183?custom_click=lead_story_title

Commentary:

http://www.newsok.com/multimedia/video/65787254001

[Hoss]

Oklahoma City's Cox Convention Center will undergo $4 million in renovation and AHL franchise to begin play for 2010-11 season.

Oklahoma City new Cox Convention Center (formerly the Myriad).

http://www.livepumpkins.net/audio/1996-11-23_oklahoma_city_oklahoma/files/Cox%20Convention%20Center%20(Once%20Called%20the%20Myriad%20Arena).jpg

Oklahoma City expected to join the same division with Houston, San Antonio, & Texas (Austin) in its' inagural year.

Link/video:  http://www.newsok.com/oklahoma-city-lands-american-hockey-league-team/article/3438183?custom_click=lead_story_title

Commentary:

http://www.newsok.com/multimedia/video/65787254001

The current set of old die-hard OKC hockey fans (I know many) are in for a rude awakening at this level.

They won't have the same access to the players as they did in the CHL now that most of them are on two-way contracts with the parent clubs.  The AHL doesn't have the same types of 'social gatherings' amongst the fans.

That's not to say they won't enjoy the AHL.  But expect some loss of fanbase due to that.  AND the perennial revolving door of playings getting called up/sent down.

Being a farm club of that stinker Edmonton isn't going to help much, either.  I'm curious to see what the team name will be.  Oil Kings?  Oil Barons?

[Laramie]

The current set of old die-hard OKC hockey fans (I know many) are in for a rude awakening at this level.

They won't have the same access to the players as they did in the CHL now that most of them are on two-way contracts with the parent clubs.  The AHL doesn't have the same types of 'social gatherings' amongst the fans.

That's not to say they won't enjoy the AHL.  But expect some loss of fanbase due to that.  AND the perennial revolving door of playings getting called up/sent down.

Being a farm club of that stinker Edmonton isn't going to help much, either.  I'm curious to see what the team name will be.  Oil Kings?  Oil Barons?

Oklahoma City will support this team and adjust to the fact that they won't be as close to the players as was the case with the goon league.  

The league currently has Houston and San Antonio--currently NBA competitiors with Oklahoma City and Texas (Austin) a former city that resided in the CHL.

Social gatherings for high profile players are becoming a thing of the past.  There are too many nuts out there and security procedures  are now becoming more of a concern.

Everybody is moving up!  It's time for Tulsa to  let go of that small city mentality and get of board.  Tulsa has a lot more potential than OKC.

Tulsa and Wichita will eventually join to the AHL.

[Hoss]

Oklahoma City will support this team and adjust to the fact that they won't be as close to the players as was the case with the goon league.  

The league currently has Houston and San Antonio--currently NBA competitiors with Oklahoma City and Texas (Austin) a former city that resided in the CHL.

Social gatherings for high profile players are becoming a thing of the past.  There are too many nuts out there and security procedures  are now becoming more of a concern.

Everybody is moving up!  It's time for Tulsa to  let go of that small city mentality and get of board.  Tulsa has a lot more potential than OKC.

Tulsa and Wichita will eventually join to the AHL.

Not anytime soon.  If we do, we'll make sure we're not affiliated with a crappy team like Edmonton.   

[Laramie]

Not anytime soon.  If we do, we'll make sure we're not affiliated with a crappy team like Edmonton.   

You want have to worry about the Edmonton Oilers--it's not unlike Tulsa hasn't been affliated with Edmonton before. 

I'll get back with you on this one mid-way through the 2010-11 AHL Season.  I turly miss the rivarly with Tulsa and the chants of  P-o-o-r   O-i-l-e-r-s...

Good Luck watching Goon League Hockey and hope & pray that Wichita & Boosier City-Shreveport doesn't jump to the AHL before Tulsa!

[Hoss]

You want have to worry about the Edmonton Oilers--it's not unlike Tulsa hasn't been affliated with Edmonton before.  

I'll get back with you on this one mid-way through the 2010-11 AHL Season.  I turly miss the rivarly with Tulsa and the chants of  P-o-o-r   O-i-l-e-r-s...

Good Luck watching Goon League Hockey and hope & pray that Wichita & Boosier City-Shreveport doesn't jump to the AHL before Tulsa!

AHL would have to have teams available to do such.  I think you're a baiter.  AND you live in OKC, so that doubles your dooshery.



Oh, and let me know how competing with the NBA does for that AHL team, since they'll be playing right across the street from each other.