If you saw any of Knoxville Icebears (SPHL) last year you had to be impressed. I think they can rival most NHL teams and I'd love to see them graduate.
Is there any hope in hell?
Knoxville TN supported them last year. Do you think a town the size of K-town (450-thousand) with a strong economy, support an NHL team?
2006-10-12 06:53:25 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Hockey
I would love to see Knoxville get a NHL team. I live just across the state line in North Carolina and would drive over all the time to see hockey.
We used to have the Asheville Smoke, and then the Asheville Aces, and now we have nothing. I do miss live hockey.
2006-10-12 07:03:09 · answer #1 · answered by ktan_the_siren 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unlikey... Not with big-brother Nashiville in the big league. I could be wrong...
Similar situations:
The Kentucky Thoroughblades joined the AHL as an expansion team in 1996. The team relocated to become the Cleveland Barons in 2001.
... and ...
The suspended Beast of New Haven franchise resurfaced in 1999 as the AHL Louisville Panthers under the sponsorship of the Florida Panthers. The franchise was suspended on May 23, 2001.
_
2006-10-12 07:06:36 · answer #2 · answered by jujubah_01 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they could, but you already have a team in Nashville. No way the NHL puts 2 teams in Tenn. Even then, lower level teams don't graduate to the NHL. It would have to be an expansion team.
2006-10-12 07:01:26 · answer #3 · answered by Leader Desslok 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they could not rival most NHL teams. No chance getting an NHL team. Keep supporting them though. I support my closest AHL and college teams.
2006-10-12 08:10:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that seems like high optimism to me. the NHL itself is not one of the top 4 sport in US anymore let alone the expiring TV contracts and games moving from network to another. no u can't support a NHL team if u have 450 thou people. sorry its just the truth
Cheers!!
2006-10-12 07:05:07 · answer #5 · answered by vick 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
never, never, never their is already a team in Nashville that cant even fill the arena, arena capacity is 17,113 avg. attendance 14,000 that's 3,000 empty seats every home game that's not a good sign. it shows that hockey doesn't belong in Nashville.
2006-10-12 07:11:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋