"I think they can handle a NHL team but whats the next league up from the CHL?"

Technically speaking, the next 'level up' would be the ECHL. Although both are considered AA, the ECHL is the preferred league for players looking to move to the AAA. The CHL hasn't had as much appeal to the players at this level.

The AAA level would be the AHL, a merged version of the AHL/IHL.

"I think OKC deserves to be in a more prestigious league (like the CHL used to be)."

While we all probably agree that a higher calibre of hockey would be a welcome addition to the city, you need to remember that pro hockey has changed from the days of Oklahoma City and Tulsa fans having fist fights at the old Fairgrounds Arena while Terry Crisp and Brian Bradley were killing off penalties.

The CPHL had AAA teams in Dallas, Fort Worth, Tulsa, Albuquerque, Kansas City, Memphis, etc. Rivalries and road trips were easy to come by.

I'm not sure you can replicate that kind of vibe when you're playing teams like Providence, Grand Rapids, and Manitoba. And our closest road trip would be San Antonio. Fun.

Oh, and we didn't 'almost' get the Penguins. Not even close.