East Coast Hockey League (ECHL)

[Laramie]

ECHL: https://www.echl.com/#tab_standings-...aders=forwards

Tulsa Oilers are impressive; 7th among 27 teams in the league.



ECHL Attendance: http://www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendan...L2004&sid=2019

[Mel]

I miss the Turnpike Rivalry.

[OKCRT]

Need to see if Adirondack would move to OKC? They would have a built in fan base here.

[jedicurt]

Need to see if Adirondack would move to OKC? They would have a built in fan base here.

the issue is where would they play? the city doesn't want hockey in the Peake and there is no long term plans to keep the Cox, and not real sure about future of Norrick... this is why we don't currently have an ECHL team, because we almost had one a few years ago, and these factors are what lead to it not ever coming to fruition.

[Of Sound Mind]

Really miss hockey in OKC

[OKCRT]

the issue is where would they play? the city doesn't want hockey in the Peake and there is no long term plans to keep the Cox, and not real sure about future of Norrick... this is why we don't currently have an ECHL team, because we almost had one a few years ago, and these factors are what lead to it not ever coming to fruition.

Maybe Edmond has grown up enough to build a small arena? Maybe an Edmond MAPS could get it done. Seems like the City of Edmond could benefit from something like this.

[Jersey Boss]

the issue is where would they play? the city doesn't want hockey in the Peake and there is no long term plans to keep the Cox, and not real sure about future of Norrick... this is why we don't currently have an ECHL team, because we almost had one a few years ago, and these factors are what lead to it not ever coming to fruition.

Do you know why OKC does not want hockey to be played at the Cheasapeake Arena? Have there been public pronouncements on this? Was it a Cornett thing?

[Bill Robertson]

Do you know why OKC does not want hockey to be played at the Cheasapeake Arena? Have there been public pronouncements on this? Was it a Cornett thing?

I’ve seen what it takes to build and tear down a basketball court over ice. It’s very laborious. My guess is that most of the time the the Thunder court stays put between games unless there’s a concert or ?. The city might just not be interested in the extra labor for a minor league hockey team. I wish they would. If we got the Blazers back we would have season tickets in a heartbeat.

[Laramie]

We built the Peake to be a multipurpose arena. It was primary built for NHL specification/standards as well as indoor rodeo. Condensation build up from an ice plant below the court is the main concern the NBA has for co-shared basketball & ice hockey.

A new arena will cost us well above $600 million, take 3 years to construct--Peake will be 25 years old come 2027--maybe a new arena could be constructed for 2030 opening.

OKC did renovate to NBA specs in 2009 & 2010: https://www.chesapeakearena.com/abou...a/improvements

The Peake will need new seats, a few upgrades come 2025--23 years old. Oklahoma City needs to plan for the return of ice hockey for 2020-25.

Thunder are our major league anchor tenant (first choice on dates etc.,). The Los Angeles Staples Center is occupied & shared by Kings (NHL), Sparks (WNBA), Lakers & Clippers (NBA). Someone explain to me why OKC can figure out a way to accommodate NBA basketball & ECHL minor league ice hockey?

[kwhey]

Sure wish we could have been Dallas' ECHL team. But, we know that reason.

[Jersey Boss]

We built the Peake to be a multipurpose arena. It was primary built for NHL specification/standards as well as indoor rodeo. Condensation build up from an ice plant below the court is the main concern the NBA has for co-shared basketball & ice hockey.

A new arena will cost us well above $600 million, take 3 years to construct--Peake will be 25 years old come 2027--maybe a new arena could be constructed for 2030 opening.

OKC did renovate to NBA specs in 2009 & 2010: https://www.chesapeakearena.com/abou...a/improvements

The Peake will need new seats, a few upgrades come 2025--23 years old. Oklahoma City needs to plan for the return of ice hockey for 2020-25.

Thunder are our major league anchor tenant (first choice on dates etc.,). The Los Angeles Staples Center is occupied & shared by Kings (NHL), Sparks (WNBA), Lakers & Clippers (NBA). Someone explain to me why OKC can figure out a way to accommodate NBA basketball & ECHL minor league ice hockey?

MSG 50 years old and still playing hockey and basketball at the same arena. There are other major league cities like Dallas Boston, and Philly that also can accomplish it. Ridiculous OKC can't accomadate and make some extra leasing money as well as provide hockey fans a chance to watch their sport in person.

[dcsooner]

Really miss hockey in OKC

Why? Oklahoma has never been a hockey hotbed. I do not believe the NHL would survive in OKC ala Phoenix, Carolina

[Jake]

The NHL is barely surviving in Phoenix and Carolina. OKC could probably be at least the 28th or 29th team in attendance too.

[dcsooner]

The NHL is barely surviving in Phoenix and Carolina. OKC could probably be at least the 28th or 29th team in attendance too.

Phoenix is 4x OKC pop, Raleigh-Durham about 2M. But not population issue alone , hockey cold weather sport suited for primarily cold weather cities and cities in or adjacent to Canada are most successful

[Jersey Boss]

Dallas 12th in attendance, NY Islanders 31st.
But the question is why not ECHL in the Cheasapeake Arena? OKC doesn't need the money or exposure?

[Laramie]

ECHL could survive in OKC with much better odds than the American Hockey League Barons.

You can't put a team in the Cox Convention Center with those tarped off seats. The AHL never stayed in OKC long enough to establish a rivalry. The Cox just doesn't match up to Tulsa's BOK Center or Wichita's Intrust Bank Arena.

You would have a better chance of survival with the ECHL in The Peake, here's why:

Thunder have been sold out since 2010; 357 active consecutive NBA sellout--third behind Dallas & Miami.
NBA Attendance: http://www.espn.com/nba/attendance

ECHL has two of OKC's most hated established rival cities in Tulsa & Wichita--these cities will bring bus loads of fans for a game in Oklahoma City in a venue as prestigious as the Chesapeake Energy Arena; also there are more things to do in OKC that makes us more of a 'Big League City.' Imagine the impact the streetcar would have on these visitors. Tulsa Oilers use to bring no less that 4 chartered buses to OKC not to mention the cars that traveled via the Turner Turnpike.

IMO, OKC is ready for the ECHL.

[Jake]

OKC could easily support an ECHL team. It's just a matter if the powers that be want to put forth the effort/money for one. Looks like they don't.

[Laramie]

[Jersey Boss]

OKC could easily support an ECHL team. It's just a matter if the powers that be want to put forth the effort/money for one. Looks like they don't.

Are the powers to be the Thunder ownership group or is it the public servants of OKC?

[jedicurt]

Are the powers to be the Thunder ownership group or is it the public servants of OKC?

a combo of both... i know someone who sat in on meetings to discuss putting the Dallas Stars ECHL team in OKC, and they were just basically told that they couldn't use Chesapeake arena, if they wanted to have any advertising or location for merch sales, and that there was zero room to negotiate on that. that no space would be given for a hockey store, and that just setting up tables would be the only option, and zero branding or advertising in the arena... the question was even asked about if they won the league could they put in a championship banner, and were told it would have to be taken down when games were not taking place... that if the needed these types of things, then Chesapeake arena was not an option... and since there is no long term plan for another facility in the city to house hockey... they left.

[Mel]

Good times.

[Laramie]

a combo of both... i know someone who sat in on meetings to discuss putting the Dallas Stars ECHL team in OKC, and they were just basically told that they couldn't use Chesapeake arena, if they wanted to have any advertising or location for merch sales, and that there was zero room to negotiate on that. that no space would be given for a hockey store, and that just setting up tables would be the only option, and zero branding or advertising in the arena... the question was even asked about if they won the league could they put in a championship banner, and were told it would have to be taken down when games were not taking place... that if the needed these types of things, then Chesapeake arena was not an option... and since there is no long term plan for another facility in the city to house hockey... they left.

Don't doubt your source here. My question: Who owns Chesapeake Energy Arena--City of Oklahoma City or Professional Basketball Club LLC (PBC)?

If the Thunder are planning to hog The Peake, I'm all in favor of building a new multipurpose arena at Fair Park or Stockyards City. Let's invest in some of these areas that truly qualify & benefit for TIF funds.

[jedicurt]

Don't doubt your source here. My question: Who owns Chesapeake Energy Arena--City of Oklahoma City or Professional Basketball Club LLC (PBC)?

well the city... but the city doesn't want to upset their anchor tenant, especially when they are currently the only game in town. it's still very much the good ole boys club of helping people out they have known for years. so PBC gets to make the calls of what they are willing to concede and not.

[Jersey Boss]

well the city... but the city doesn't want to upset their anchor tenant, especially when they are currently the only game in town. it's still very much the good ole boys club of helping people out they have known for years. so PBC gets to make the calls of what they are willing to concede and not.

IMO, another reason why publicly funded arenas for billionaires is bad policy. Certainly better lease terms so more concerts and hockey could utilize this public arena.

[Rover]

a combo of both... i know someone who sat in on meetings to discuss putting the Dallas Stars ECHL team in OKC, and they were just basically told that they couldn't use Chesapeake arena, if they wanted to have any advertising or location for merch sales, and that there was zero room to negotiate on that. that no space would be given for a hockey store, and that just setting up tables would be the only option, and zero branding or advertising in the arena... the question was even asked about if they won the league could they put in a championship banner, and were told it would have to be taken down when games were not taking place... that if the needed these types of things, then Chesapeake arena was not an option... and since there is no long term plan for another facility in the city to house hockey... they left.

So, are you saying a minor league team should start diminishing a NBA team? That makes no sense at all. False equivalency.