No kidding. Here is a darned good exchange on the HSM WHKA thread about today's news.
Today, 01:57 PM #3751
TheSaint
HSM Addict
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,390
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quisitor
There are no 'famous' Jr B teams. The established team you are anticipating is well-known to be the Fort Vancouver Pioneers, who are the defending Norpac champions.
So, the announcement they just made will be viewed as much more newsworthy to the hockey community, for the simple fact that an investor in the original WHA is on board. There is now every indication that the two expansion teams they'll own will be on solid financial footing.
As to their likely locations, the most promising rinks available would be in Lake Oswego, Or (a fashionable suburb of Portland) and Kent, Wa (between Seattle and Tacoma). Both would 'tighten' the travel logistics, thus lessening operating costs, for a USA-based WHA division, given Ft Vancouver's rink (just across the Columbia River from Portland) and Bellingham. Keep in mind, though, that the WHA and Kent couldn't come to terms last year. For their sake, hopefully someone's position has changed since then.
Given the announcement, I would hope it means that satisfactory ice rental arrangements are near completion at whatever facilities they've identified.
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You really know your stuff. I Googled the San Francisco Seahawks story and realized what it must have meant to the hockey world to see Mr. Clay's involvement with Ricky, Garry, and Bobby, but you even are coming up with where they guy would be looking to move the Knights and the Golden Blades. Good work.
I can see that this means the new WHA is going to be opening some hockey establishment eyes which is what they need to establish real credibility and to get solid.
If they are ever going to achieve their goal of becoming serious competition to the other hockey associations, they will need people like Clay to back and invest in the concept.
This is a landmark development at far as I am concerned. It is bigger than whatever Fort Vancouver news is likely to come. (in my opinon)