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For those 1410 listeners I found Tom Ralston's comments this morning interesting. They started talking about how new ownership was needed and Tom (former Thunder player) said this town and new arena needs to step up into a better league (i.e. AHL or even junior hockey). Now I'm no hockey expert but the rep of the CHL when I talk to people in Boston is it's a has-been goon league. Their opinion of junior hockey is sky-high. I brought up Omaha and they know all about their team and can't stop talking about the quality of players. So my question is should Wichita considering graduating up to another league - even perhaps junior hockey?
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A little FYI...
The Thunder ended their 22-game losing streak tonight.. wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:Deuces Valley.
... No really, deuces.
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"Enjoy the ride."
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Re: Future of Wichita Hockey
Originally posted by BostonWu
BDub,
I readily admit I know nothing about the other leagues or what Omaha has....can you expand your comments?
I have been a Thunder STH for years....I enjoy the product but HATED the KC. I really look forward to games at IBA (that don't conflict with WSU) but it would be nice to be competitive again.Comment
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I am going to try to get to the game tonight, I don't know If I will be able to make it or not though.The mountains are calling, and I must go.Comment
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A move to the AHL, if you can make it, is a no-brainer from a pure skill perspective. Those teams are actually affiliated with the NHL teams and they brand of hockey is much faster than the CHL. But the CHL is a goon league with lots of fights, etc., and that seems to be what a Wichita crowd wants (from what I recall.) I wonder whether the fans would appreciate the game the way it is played in the AHL.Comment
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Re: Future of Wichita Hockey
I interpreted Tom Ralston’s overall message to be that is better to have an affiliated hockey team tied to a NHL organization; otherwise, you’re at the mercy of the owner, your resources are limited and you’re left hamstrung – bottom line the talent is limited. He specifically mentioned the American Hockey League and perhaps junior hockey as options. These comments were in light of his compliments towards a very strong and loyal base of hockey fans in this town – they deserve better than what the Thunder is offering. Considering Tom’s background I put a lot of stock into what he says.Originally posted by WuDrWu
Here’s a couple of links on American junior hockey.
I’ve heard Omaha sells out the Quiet for their team. I noticed Des Moines also has a team in the USHL. Perhaps one of the resident BJ or Dawg fans can chime in. From what I gather, junior hockey looks to be 180 from the CHL, in that these are teenage future stars just beginning a career – whether that’s NCAA, minor league hockey and perhaps NHL (league site claims 112 NHL active alumni).
Like I said, I’m no hockey expert but I do hold some perspective on the college game as I used to occasionally attend Boston U. games while going to school there. It’s a completely different game from what you see with the Thunder – I’d characterize it as more team play with higher level of technical skills – fast skating and stick work; not as physical and fights are practically nonexistent. I would guess junior hockey is similar to the college game, which from an entertainment perspective may not be to the liking of Wichita hockey fans. IMO Thunder fans crave the WWE element more than technical skills of skating and stick work. Therefore, I’m not sure junior hockey would work in this town.
Now if it were possible to move into a higher affiliated league such as the AHL that would seem to make sense.
Anyway, this is how I interpreted that conversation on 1410 yesterday and a topic I think is worth exploring because with a strong core of hockey fans in this town I think Wichita can do better.Comment
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Lincoln also has a USHL team. Junior hockey would be fantastic, AHL would be even better. The junior system is basically where kids go after high school and before they go to college or get drafted, IIRC. It is loaded with talented HOCKEY players and not the goon has-beens like the Thunder currently attract. Either would be a huge step up. Local ownership would also definitely be a step up.
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I got some tickets to the game tonight. Announced attendance was in the mid 13s. If they can sustain that sort of crowd, they should be able to jump into a better league.The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off.Comment
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the thunder has been notorious in recent years of pumping up their attendance figures. i wonder how many empty seats there were and/or how many tickets were "given away"
I was a season ticket holder from 1998-2001. the level of hockey has dropped, partly due to a change in business strategy by the league, and the thunder's front office. i'd bet that i've been to 15 games since i cancelled - the game is cheap, and trashy. there are serious hockey fans in wichita, and we want real hockey, the AHL or a junior league would be a step in the right direction.Comment
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No doubt there were plenty of comps, but they sold a boat load of tickets as well and there were not a lot of empty seats. They announced a sell out (no way as it cannot be coincidental that the no shows were all from the top 2 rows in the upper bowl) and no shows were at a minimum.Originally posted by InWuWeTrust
I've had season tickets for at least 12 years (I lose count these days) and there is little doubt this is the worst on ice team I've ever witnessed.
I don't mind tough hockey and the obligitory fighting that goes with it but I detest crap like the opening fight last night. If I want that I'll go to smackdown in the next couple of months. There is no place for that in any sport.
Not to sound like a broken record but I like Joel Lomurno and I want him to succeed. I believe his hands have been tied by the ownership issues and I really hope he gets a chance to run the club when (and if) that changes in the near future.Comment
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I completely agree with Wu. I like the pace and skill of hockey. Last night was not hockey. It was WWE and it was hard to watch. The team seriously lacks basic fundamentals. The guys had trouble skating, holding onto the puck, and staying in position. Not to mention the fact that when they did fight, they got their butts handed to them. It was erratic at best. If it wasn't for superb goaltending, Tulsa would have won 5-1.
I like Joel and I think he could be a great GM, but he needs to be able to run the team, and I don't think he is being allowed to do that.
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I thought the Eagle article I read last week made it sound like the owner is pretty well completely hands off and has left the team to the GM to run? Also I know they spent a lot of money on bringing in players this year knowing they were moving to IBA and wanted to put a good product out...Comment
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Whew. I'm glad you two told me that wasn't a hockey match I saw last night. This was the secound Thunder event I have ever been to. The reason I went was two fold...my wife had not seen the new arena and my son got us tickets. I could not believe a fight started at the 3 second mark into the 1st period. I remember watching the olympics and thinking this is a sport played by skilled athletes. Not so last night, even I know if the other team shoots 50% more than you do you are in for a long night. The Tulsa players seemed more skilled at actually receiving a pass? from one of their team mates. I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon but I really think there were between 11-12 thousand present.Comment
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Ya, that was not hockey. It is very much a skill game with great action. If anyone is interested in watching what semi-pro/minor league hockey really looks like, you can find a channel by surfing the net that regularly broadcasts AHL games.Originally posted by pogo
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I haven't been to a Thunder game in years, but I remember what sunk the Wichita Wings: Comp Tix.
They were trading comps for everything...cars for coaches, apartments for foreign players, you name it. And this was when they were hot! They could have sold a lot of the comp tix and sponsorships they traded.
Hope that doesnt happen to the Thunder.Comment
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