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Non-Tulsa Discussions => Sports Talk => Topic started by: Hoss on July 31, 2015, 12:49:26 pm



Title: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on July 31, 2015, 12:49:26 pm
In the past, during the old CHL days, 'affiliations' were more like working agreements.  Not much meat to them.

Now, with the Oilers being in the ECHL, which is now the last remaining 'AA' hockey league in North America, many teams were affiliated, and the new teams from the CHL were getting them.

Tulsa just announced their official affiliation agreement this morning with the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL and the Jets' AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose.

http://www.echl.com/oilers-sign-affiliation-agreement-with-winnipeg-jets-p198926

A short interview about the agreement with Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff

http://video.jets.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=832858&catid=96

The new coach, Jason Christie was instrumental in making this happen.  He has ties in that organization, as he was coaching Ontario who had been a Jet affiliate since 2013-2014.

This might be the most excited about Oiler hockey in Tulsa I've ever been since I started attending games.  Instead of getting a rookie coach or a former Oiler player, which in the past seemed to be a pattern, Oiler GM Taylor Hall went out and hired a proven winner who is just 9 wins from being the all time winning-est coach in the ECHL.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: davideinstein on August 01, 2015, 12:40:29 pm
Doesn't hurt!


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: puckbag on August 01, 2015, 05:03:31 pm
Two good moves, IMO. I approve. Now, how about a Jets pre-season game in Tulsa?


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Laramie on August 02, 2015, 03:34:54 pm
Great move for the AA ECHL Tulsa Oilers.


The BOK Center is just as impressive as the MTS Center where the NHL 'Jet' & AHL Moose play.

BOK Center Tulsa: (https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=JN.uanuFXbbgevBW9a1Ga1VhA&pid=15.1&P=0) (https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=JN.RFs%2b7amO6MmO4ry0o0c3YA&pid=15.1&P=0)Construction Cost:  $196 million - Seating capacity (ih) 17,096 opened: 2008 


MTS Center Winnipeg: (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/MTS_CENTRE_b.jpg/495px-MTS_CENTRE_b.jpg) (https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=JN.Coq0PmIvU%2fOj1rluRZqEww&pid=15.1&P=0)  Construction cost:  CA$133.5 million  Seating capacity (ih) 15,294 opened:  2004

Good match with for an NHL affiliate.

Population:
Tulsa, urban  - 399,682  metro - 961,561 & Winnipeg, urban - 663,617   metro 730,018


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on October 15, 2015, 03:09:48 pm
Opening night for the 2015-2016 season is tomorrow night.

I've been following training camp as best I could.  The Oilers had one preseason game scheduled but that was cancelled.  They instead had a blue/white scrimmage last Saturday at the Oiler Ice Center.

From what I saw, these kids can skate and are pretty good sized.

Another thing I was told (I didn't attend any camps but I was getting some reports) is that unlike our previous coach, the new coach actually coaches AND he teaches.  He's also big on conditioning.  A strenght/conditioning person has been brought in.  I'm told on practice days, the guys must be in the weight room by 6am.

The coaching change was evident during the scrimmage.  Crisp, tape to tape passes.  This coach stresses defense.  There are three assigned players from Manitoba (the AHL team) of which one is a goaltender.  Several players on the team have AHL experience, unlike seasons past.

If the TM website is to be believed, one half of the lower bowl is sold out (the side the Oilers attack twice) and the other half is about half full.

Opening game is against Wichita, then on Sunday, the Oilers will play Allen at 4:05pm.

One change that many Oiler long timers might notice is the time change for Friday/Saturday games.  In the past, Friday and Saturday games began at 7:35pm.  The organization decided to move those up to 7:05pm, making all non-Sunday games starting at 7:05pm.  Sunday games are all 4:05pm.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: sgrizzle on October 16, 2015, 05:44:09 pm
Like the WNBA and Arena Football, I think Tulsa is  a great market for a major league "tier 2" sport.

NBA is theoretically a great thing to get, but can also be a huge financial drag on the city (See Last Week Tonight episode on Arenas and Stadiums). It doesn't help that we give tax breaks to the NBA jobs under the quality jobs act.

By bringing in the OKC Thunder, the majority of the income the Chesapeake Arena makes now goes to the Thunder, even for non-thunder events. Major League teams demand a cut of all tickets, suite and concession sales in their home venue. Journey plays at Chesapeake Center? Thunder makes more than OKC does, despite the fact OKC paid for the arena (twice) and infrastructure.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Breadburner on October 17, 2015, 09:49:37 am
Like the WNBA and Arena Football, I think Tulsa is  a great market for a major league "tier 2" sport.

NBA is theoretically a great thing to get, but can also be a huge financial drag on the city (See Last Week Tonight episode on Arenas and Stadiums). It doesn't help that we give tax breaks to the NBA jobs under the quality jobs act.

By bringing in the OKC Thunder, the majority of the income the Chesapeake Arena makes now goes to the Thunder, even for non-thunder events. Major League teams demand a cut of all tickets, suite and concession sales in their home venue. Journey plays at Chesapeake Center? Thunder makes more than OKC does, despite the fact OKC paid for the arena (twice) and infrastructure.

Thats bucking dumb......


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: TeeDub on October 18, 2015, 02:37:19 am

By bringing in the OKC Thunder, the majority of the income the Chesapeake Arena makes now goes to the Thunder, even for non-thunder events. Major League teams demand a cut of all tickets, suite and concession sales in their home venue. Journey plays at Chesapeake Center? Thunder makes more than OKC does, despite the fact OKC paid for the arena (twice) and infrastructure.

Not to question your sources, but do you have any way to prove such a statement?


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: dbacksfan 2.0 on October 18, 2015, 02:56:27 am
https://books.google.com/books?id=KcIF8rb7g9MC&pg=PA192&lpg=PA192&dq=who+pays+nba+player+salaries&source=bl&ots=sKlSwofvjd&sig=OuKeTzYbdfPu-fcLU8BwJyEUjNc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CEkQ6AEwBmoVChMIs9X-_9HLyAIVzziICh27owoV#v=onepage&q=who%20pays%20nba%20player%20salaries&f=false (https://books.google.com/books?id=KcIF8rb7g9MC&pg=PA192&lpg=PA192&dq=who+pays+nba+player+salaries&source=bl&ots=sKlSwofvjd&sig=OuKeTzYbdfPu-fcLU8BwJyEUjNc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CEkQ6AEwBmoVChMIs9X-_9HLyAIVzziICh27owoV#v=onepage&q=who%20pays%20nba%20player%20salaries&f=false)


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: dbacksfan 2.0 on October 18, 2015, 03:39:48 am
Arenas and stadiums are usually built buy a tax or bond issue initiative. Upon completion naming rights are sold or leased to major corporations to fund the day to day operations and to work with NBA/NFL/MLB teams work on contracts to keep those teams at that facility. In 1992 a new arena was built in Phoenix for the Phoenix Suns, and was built on a bond issue with backing that America West Airlines would get the naming rights to the arena for an annual payment. When America West was taken over by US Airways the contract for operations continued and it was renamed US Airways Arena. All of the concerts and other events paid fees to them. The Phoenix Suns though sponsorship and contracts with Fox Sports, NBA, SW Gas, Century Link, and a number off other sponsors pay for the use off the arena for their games. Same thing when the tourism tax was passed to build Cardinals Stadium that after the first year, University Of Phoenix started paying the annual costs of operations or naming rights, and the Arizona Cardinals through sponsorship and funding from NFL Network, Fox, NBC, CBS, and ESPN pay for the contracts with the players and the teams, along with Nike, Gatorade, Sprint, Under Armor, and a whole host of others. The arena where the Phoenix Coyotes play, started out as the Glendale Arena, then jobing.com arena, and is now Gila River arena sponsored by the Gila River Indian Tribe.

But back to the original point, the arena or stadium and concessions pay a very small amount of a players salary.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: sgrizzle on October 18, 2015, 08:43:20 am
https://youtu.be/xcwJt4bcnXs?t=3m27s


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on October 18, 2015, 09:24:23 am
https://youtu.be/xcwJt4bcnXs?t=3m27s

The difference between major league teams, where players make *millions* as opposed to minor league teams where players make *thousands* (per year on both accounts) is pretty big.  Franchises get greedy the more money a franchise is worth.

I have enough of an inside knowledge of the Oiler organization (I knowat least three front office staff members for over 10 years) to know that the Oilers got a sweetheart deal for the BOK as compared to their last venue at the Convention Center.  They get a guaranteed cut of both the club seating AND concessions.  At the CC they got zero concession money and what the hell were club seating there?.   Although the rent is 10x more than what they were paying at the CC, the club seating income more than makes up for that.  Anything past that (concession revenue) is gravy.  What was their rent at the CC?  About $1500 per game.  It's about $20,000 per game now, but they also get $30,000 in guaranteed club seat revenue every game that they didn't have at the CC.  Much better deal.  SMG/BOK Center has the right to renegotiate every three years during the lease agreement (which has been in force since 2008 and has a term of 10 years).


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Breadburner on October 19, 2015, 01:23:25 pm
Someone would be a fool not to put a team back in Okc.....In the ECHL......


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on October 19, 2015, 01:46:41 pm
Someone would be a fool not to put a team back in Okc.....In the ECHL......

They're working on it.  Problem is, OKC wants none of it if the Funks (Express Personnel) are involved as they were for the last 3 seasons of the Blazers and the entire incarnation of the Barons.  Die-hards feel like Bob Funk ruined it (hockey) in OKC.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Breadburner on October 19, 2015, 04:54:33 pm
They're working on it.  Problem is, OKC wants none of it if the Funks (Express Personnel) are involved as they were for the last 3 seasons of the Blazers and the entire incarnation of the Barons.  Die-hards feel like Bob Funk ruined it (hockey) in OKC.

He was probably the only reason it lasted as long as it did there......


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on October 19, 2015, 05:02:49 pm
He was probably the only reason it lasted as long as it did there......

That may be the case, but he ran the franchise into the ground, much like where Lund was going with the Oilers.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Breadburner on October 19, 2015, 10:57:11 pm
Looks like Lund is on it......


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on October 19, 2015, 11:01:26 pm
Looks like Lund is on it......

Brad Lund > Jeff Lund.  Brad knows how to run a hockey franchise.  It's funny, he should have shown his uncle how to.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Breadburner on October 20, 2015, 11:15:22 am
2 Mill for a franchise fee.....


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on October 20, 2015, 11:33:52 am
2 Mill for a franchise fee.....

Yep..however the old CHL teams got that waived is my understanding.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Laramie on October 25, 2015, 11:04:13 am
I don't claim to know a lot about Jeff Lund; however, Brad always managed to bring in the OKC crowds.  Some questioned his methods with claims that he gave away tickets?  I was never the recipient of any free tickets.

Brad Lund has been working behind-the-scenes to put a group together to bring an Oklahoma City ECHL entry into this market for 2016-17 season.

  Former Oklahoma City Blazers CEO assembling an ownership group to bring hockey back to the city | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/5425798)

If the rivalries are renewed in 2016; you should witness some carryover between ice hockey & soccer with TUL-OKC.  Oklahoma City Energy FC's last 4 soccer crowds were impressive:

     August 29, Austin 2-0 win. Attendance: 6,089
     September 12, Colorado Springs 3-3 tie. Attendance: 6,847 Largest regular season crowd in Energy FC's history.
     October 4, Colorado Springs 3-2 playoff win. Attendance: 6,370
     October 11, Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 playoff lost. Attendance:  7,654 Largest crowd In Energy FC's history.

Will the OKC Energy FC's trend of 6,000-plus attendance figures continue into the 2016 season?  OKC's 4,635 average placed 7th in USL.  Sports entertainment dollars are stretched in OKC as the NBA Thunder has 209 consecutive sellouts of 18,203 which dates back to 2010.  OU football has 87 consecutive sellouts of 83,000 plus.

Equally as impressive non playoff contender Tulsa Roughnecks FC's averaged 4,714 in their inaugural year (5th best USL) with intermarket  competition--NPSL Tulsa Athletics.  Ownerships should partner together; go for an MLS franchise (expansion or relocation) and promote a Vision 2025 extension to put a 20,000-seat soccer specific stadium (estimate: $100 - $125 million) on the ballot to have something ready post 2020 second wave of MLS expansion.  Promote that the team be called Tulsa as OKC did with the NBA's Thunder.

Tulsa is primed for NHL or MLS to be the next city in Oklahoma to embrace a 'big league city' franchise in at least 1 of five major sports.  BOK Center could be retrofitted for NHL.  OKC will finish their streetcar  system in 2018.   There's talk about regular rail transit service between TUL-OKC with a rail transit corridor:  Tulsa-Oklahoma City Corridor Investment Plan - About the Plan (http://www.tulsaokcrailcorridor.com/)


  


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on October 25, 2015, 01:31:36 pm
I don't claim to know a lot about Jeff Lund; however, Brad always managed to bring in the OKC crowds.  Some questioned his methods with claims that he gave away tickets?  I was never the recipient of any free tickets.

Brad Lund has been working behind-the-scenes to put a group together to bring an Oklahoma City ECHL entry into this market for 2016-17 season.

  Former Oklahoma City Blazers CEO assembling an ownership group to bring hockey back to the city | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/5425798)

If the rivalries are renewed in 2016; you should witness some carryover between ice hockey & soccer with TUL-OKC.  Oklahoma City Energy FC's last 4 soccer crowds were impressive:

     August 29, Austin 2-0 win. Attendance: 6,089
     September 12, Colorado Springs 3-3 tie. Attendance: 6,847 Largest regular season crowd in Energy FC's history.
     October 4, Colorado Springs 3-2 playoff win. Attendance: 6,370
     October 11, Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 playoff lost. Attendance:  7,654 Largest crowd In Energy FC's history.

Will the OKC Energy FC's trend of 6,000-plus attendance figures continue into the 2016 season?  OKC's 4,635 average placed 7th in USL.  Sports entertainment dollars are stretched in OKC as the NBA Thunder has 209 consecutive sellouts of 18,203 which dates back to 2010.  OU football has 87 consecutive sellouts of 83,000 plus.

Equally as impressive non playoff contender Tulsa Roughnecks FC's averaged 4,714 in their inaugural year (5th best USL) with intermarket  competition--NPSL Tulsa Athletics.  Ownerships should partner together; go for an MLS franchise (expansion or relocation) and promote a Vision 2025 extension to put a 20,000-seat soccer specific stadium (estimate: $100 - $125 million) on the ballot to have something ready post 2020 second wave of MLS expansion.  Promote that the team be called Tulsa as OKC did with the NBA's Thunder.

Tulsa is primed for NHL or MLS to be the next city in Oklahoma to embrace a 'big league city' franchise in at least 1 of five major sports.  BOK Center could be retrofitted for NHL.  OKC will finish their streetcar  system in 2018.   There's talk about regular rail transit service between TUL-OKC with a rail transit corridor:  Tulsa-Oklahoma City Corridor Investment Plan - About the Plan (http://www.tulsaokcrailcorridor.com/)


  

Explain how the BOK would need to be 'retro-fitted' for the NHL.  I've talked to several people who have said the facility is NHL-ready right now.  As as far as capacity goes (17096 right now for hockey), the BOK Center is a perfect fit..lower end of the spectrum, but not much smaller than Bridgestone Arena in Nashville (which I went to for a game last March).

I don't believe Tulsa has a hoot-in-hell chance of the NHL anytime in the next 5 years or probably even 10.  It would be nice to dream, but those NHL tickets aren't cheap by any stretch of the imagination.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: sgrizzle on October 26, 2015, 06:07:01 am
I've heard Tulsa's Arena is larger than the Columbus Bluejackets arena, which is a (pretty bad) NHL team.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on October 26, 2015, 06:32:57 am
I've heard Tulsa's Arena is larger than the Columbus Bluejackets arena, which is a (pretty bad) NHL team.

Depends on what you mean by larger.  Capacity?  Then no.  Nationwide Arena (in which the Blue Jackets play) has a sit-down hockey capacity of 18,144, with a standing-room only capacity of a little over 19k.  I don't know if the BOK Center has standing-room only seating, but know that the hockey capacity is 17,096.  That's more than just three current NHL arenas (Rexall Place in Edmonton for the Oilers, Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the Islanders and MTS Centre in Winnipeg for the Jets).


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: sgrizzle on October 26, 2015, 06:26:53 pm
Depends on what you mean by larger.  Capacity?  Then no.  Nationwide Arena (in which the Blue Jackets play) has a sit-down hockey capacity of 18,144, with a standing-room only capacity of a little over 19k.  I don't know if the BOK Center has standing-room only seating, but know that the hockey capacity is 17,096.  That's more than just three current NHL arenas (Rexall Place in Edmonton for the Oilers, Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the Islanders and MTS Centre in Winnipeg for the Jets).

It was someone from Columbus who told me that.

We probably have bigger seats.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: swake on October 26, 2015, 07:41:26 pm
It was someone from Columbus who told me that.

We probably have bigger seats.

Butts would be smaller in Columbus seeing as they are freezing them off so often.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: sgrizzle on October 26, 2015, 08:58:26 pm
Butts would be smaller in Columbus seeing as they are freezing them off so often.

They saved money by not needing to install a cooling system for the ice.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on October 26, 2015, 09:12:53 pm
They saved money by not needing to install a cooling system for the ice.

I won't believe it until I hear from our local Columbus expert...uh....wait....


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on October 26, 2015, 09:15:04 pm
It was someone from Columbus who told me that.

We probably have bigger seats.

It's possible that in footprint he could be correct.  ScottTrade Center in St. Louis has almost 20,000 seats, but, the concourses are super narrow.  I like the Blues but I got spoiled with the larger concourses at BOK.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Breadburner on October 27, 2015, 07:46:44 am
Attendance is what matters.....


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on October 27, 2015, 08:32:44 am
Attendance is what matters.....

Not entirely always the case.  If that were true, Florida Panthers would have been gone four seasons ago.  If you have a rich owner/ownership group, that can offset it.  ECHL has one of those in Anchorage (Alaska Aces).  The league requires them to pay travel and lodging for the visiting teams.  Their attendance average last season (in a building that can house about 6300 for hockey) was 4367.  And this is in a state where EVERYTHING seems to cost more.

But mostly, yes.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Laramie on January 21, 2016, 11:23:46 am
Tulsa Oilers with a 17-13-2 record (8th in the Western Conference) are currently 4th among ECHL franchises in attendance:

ECHL 2015-16 team attendance at hockeydb.com (http://www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendance/att_graph_season.php?lid=ECHL2004&sid=2016)



Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Breadburner on February 01, 2016, 01:17:50 pm
Whens the ECHL Okc Blazers announcement going to be....


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on February 01, 2016, 10:10:37 pm
Whens the ECHL Okc Blazers announcement going to be....

Won't be for next season.  They've missed the deadline.  Although it's possible that they could move a team.  I hear the Stars are interested in moving their ECHL affiliate closer (currently in Boise ID).


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Laramie on February 02, 2016, 08:42:48 am
Brad Lund runs Sold-Out-Strategies has taken over the marketing efforts of Rayo OKC NASL soccer scheduled to debut in the OKC suburb of Yukon, OK in April.  Rayo OKC is affiliated/owed by Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D.  They are in a real battle with the USL OKC Energy FC for the soccer market.  Energy FC has averaged over 6,000 fans in their last 4 games.

Rayo OKC is putting together an impressive roster:  http://forums.bigsoccer.com/forums/oklahoma-city.1592/ (http://forums.bigsoccer.com/forums/oklahoma-city.1592/)  

Latest on Lund:  "Former Oklahoma City Blazers CEO assembling an ownership group to bring hockey back to the city."

Quote
But Lund said he leans toward Oklahoma City still being a strong minor league hockey market. That’s why he is assembling an ownership group with a goal of bringing back the once-popular Blazers franchise in time for the 2016-17 season.

http://newsok.com/article/5425798 (http://newsok.com/article/5425798)

May have missed the deadline?


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Breadburner on February 02, 2016, 11:24:07 am
How ever it happens it needs to get done.....


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on February 02, 2016, 02:59:05 pm
Brad Lund runs Sold-Out-Strategies has taken over the marketing efforts of Rayo OKC NASL soccer scheduled to debut in the OKC suburb of Yukon, OK in April.  Rayo OKC is affiliated/owed by Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D.  They are in a real battle with the USL OKC Energy FC for the soccer market.  Energy FC has averaged over 6,000 fans in their last 4 games.

Rayo OKC is putting together an impressive roster:  http://forums.bigsoccer.com/forums/oklahoma-city.1592/ (http://forums.bigsoccer.com/forums/oklahoma-city.1592/)  

Latest on Lund:  "Former Oklahoma City Blazers CEO assembling an ownership group to bring hockey back to the city."

http://newsok.com/article/5425798 (http://newsok.com/article/5425798)

May have missed the deadline?

Missed it by a mile  This article (from last June) I've already read.  If they had the support, then it shouldn't have been too difficult to put together the proposal.  I suspect venue is causing a problem.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Laramie on February 07, 2016, 07:38:44 pm
There are two downtown venues in Oklahoma City with ice plants totally equipped to host the ECHL:

(http://f.tqn.com/y/okc/1/W/9/O/ChesapeakeArena3.jpg)

(http://www.adventurist.net/trips/okc_03-2003/ford_center/photos/ice-from-above.jpg)
Chesapeake Energy Arena, 'The Peake' (formerly, the Ford Center): IH seating capacity 18,036 - $185 million total cost includes 2010 renovations.  NBA Thunder are the primary tenant with leasing rights (reserve dates) to Chesapeake Energy Arena.  
(http://centralhockeyleague.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/thumbcache/98858e4dc1072fa2803866b84c95ba91.200.jpg)
In 2004, the Blazers set a single game CHL attendance record at Ford Center of 16,929 in a loss to the Tulsa Oilers.

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

(http://www.coxconventioncenter.com/assets/img/Arena-RunAround_1.jpg)
Cox Convention Center Arena (formerly Myriad Great Arena): IH seating capacity 13,399 - $55.8 million renovation, June 1997.

Just don't think there is enough ownership interest to bring hockey back to OKC following its disastrous attendance in the AHL.  The NBA Thunder currently have 235 consecutive sellouts of 18,203 dating back to 2010. The overlapping of basketball & hockey--especially with OU  men's recent sell outs @ Lloyd Noble Center 11,500 may have attributed to that no time table delay to consider bringing hockey back to OKC.

The only minor league development rivalry between Tulsa-OKC exist in USL soccer.  Both cities have gone separate ways in minor league baseball & ice hockey.






Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Hoss on February 07, 2016, 07:52:45 pm
There are two downtown venues in Oklahoma City with ice plants totally equipped to host the ECHL:

(http://f.tqn.com/y/okc/1/W/9/O/ChesapeakeArena3.jpg)

(http://www.adventurist.net/trips/okc_03-2003/ford_center/photos/ice-from-above.jpg)
Chesapeake Energy Arena, 'The Peake' (formerly, the Ford Center): IH seating capacity 18,036 - $185 million total cost includes 2010 renovations.  NBA Thunder are the primary tenant with leasing rights (reserve dates) to Chesapeake Energy Arena.  

(http://centralhockeyleague.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/thumbcache/98858e4dc1072fa2803866b84c95ba91.200.jpg)
In 2004, the Blazers set a single game CHL attendance record at Ford Center of 16,929 in a loss to the Tulsa Oilers.

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


(http://www.coxconventioncenter.com/assets/img/Arena-RunAround_1.jpg)
Cox Convention Center Arena (formerly Myriad Great Arena): IH seating capacity 13,399 - $55.8 million renovation, June 1997.

Just don't think there is enough ownership interest to bring hockey back to OKC following its disastrous attendance in the AHL.  The NBA Thunder currently have 235 consecutive sellouts of 18,203 dating back to 2010. The overlapping of basketball & hockey--especially with OU  men's recent sell outs @ Lloyd Noble Center 11,500 may have attributed to that no time table delay to consider bringing hockey back to OKC.

The only minor league development rivalry between Tulsa-OKC exist in USL soccer.  Both cities have gone separate ways in minor league baseball & ice hockey.






Sure there are those willing to do hockey in those venues.  However, they'll be fighting directly with those venues for dates (The Chesapeake and the Thunder, and the Cox Center with the NBDL team).

From what I understand, the ownership group exists, now it's finding a place to play.  Fighting for dates is no fun.  The AHL team went tits up because of the way the Funks unceremoniously folded the Blazers with a huge fan base.  It made for bad blood and I'm not blaming any of the Blazer fans.  That falls squarely on Bob Funk's shoulders.

ECHL is pursuing a team in that market for sure.  It won't be next season however.


Title: Re: Tulsa Oilers now have a real affliation with NHL/AHL team
Post by: Laramie on February 07, 2016, 08:38:09 pm
Hoss,

Most of the Thunder games are scheduled on weekdays & Sundays.  Most Friday & Saturday nights are open unless SMG is over booked with concerts. Civic Center Music Hall has chair back seating for concerts

There is a new Criterion Concert Hall (similar to Cain's Ballroom) set to open 2016; Expo or Fairgrounds Events Center set to open in 2016 & the renovated Chevy Bricktown Events Center in downtown  which could relieve some concerts at the Peake & the Cox CC (old Myriad).

Really don't know what or why hockey hasn't been revisited.  They are filling up these venues as fast as they can get them constructed.