2006-07-12 09:08:19 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Hockey
Hey, I went to a San Diego Mariners (WHA) vs. USSR game in the '70s there and the fans were crazy. Did not really understand the sport which was weird seeing as the Gulls played there for years in the old pro WHL.
I do not see why SD cannot get a team. Loads of warm cities have teams in the minors and SD has a HUGE population base compared to back in the '60s and '70s.
And didn't Chris Chelios or some famous ex-NHLer play (maybe Peter McNab?) part of his minor hockey in SD?
2006-07-13 09:49:42 · answer #1 · answered by fugutastic 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
San Diego has decent youth hockey... This is where the interest starts...
USIU had a reasonably good college hockey program for several years. An excellent player from St. Paul, Minnesota named Dewey Wallin played there in the 1980's...
I know San Diego has had minor league hockey on and off over the years but I do not think they will ever have an NHL franchise...
2006-07-13 05:04:11 · answer #2 · answered by Todd Maz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the NHL needs to or wants to expand. However, I can see a team relocating to San Diego once Winnipeg and maybe Seattle get teams. And despite the Carolina Hurricanes winning the Stanley Cup, several southern teams will relocate or fold. You should also consider that the close proximity to an already NHL-saturated market (Kings / Ducks) will weigh heavily on the minds of anyone considering placing a team in San Diego.
2006-07-13 06:18:24 · answer #3 · answered by Awesome Bill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps a minor league team, but with the amount of change the NHL has gone through in the past two years, it doesn't look good for a few reasons:
1. Expansion won't be happening any time soon. If anything there will be a few teams folding before they bring in any new franchises.
2. Out of the places due for a new franchise, you have to look at the size of the city or the fanbase. Winnipeg lost their club due to money, not fanbase, so they might see another team, and Houston has never had a team, but they have one of the largest cities in America.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I don't think the Padres and Chargers will have any hockey competition anytime soon...
2006-07-12 09:16:01 · answer #4 · answered by Sean/Guy Wiley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
San Diego?
Think about it. How good will the ice be? The ice in places like Tampa, Florida (Panthers) and even L.A. is pretty bad. If the NHL sees no reason to believe premium ice can be maintained, there is no chance of a team.
Also have to consider fanbase. How many people in the San Diego area actually watch hockey?
2006-07-12 13:13:33 · answer #5 · answered by ~O.N.E.~ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can support a minor league team, it's a possiblity but only through relocation and I think there are other cities in N. America which would get one first.
2006-07-13 03:21:52 · answer #6 · answered by molex77 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
R the gulls Gone?
2006-07-14 18:56:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope
2006-07-16 04:56:48 · answer #8 · answered by Min 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
who cares?? nobody there does
2006-07-15 20:23:15 · answer #9 · answered by gr8leaf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2006-07-12 09:11:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋