Which Of These Canadian Cities Would Best Support An NHL Team?

Question

Which one(s) of these cities has the financial stability and fanbase to support an NHL team?

Winnipeg
Halifax
Victoria
London
Windsor
Kitchener-Waterloo
St. Catherines-Niagra
Peterborough
Saskatoon
Regina
other?

note: I didn't include Hamilton because it's pretty obvious that they could support a team if Toronto allowed it

Answer 1

Winnipeg (Winterpeg) or Regina

London, K-W, St. Catharines, Windsor, Peterborough - all too close to Toronto, Buffalo, Detroit, Ottawa...

Answer 2

I find a couple people's comments in here somewhat hypocritical. Russ, for instance, has a Jets avatar yet calls out Ottawa and Edmonton? Both teams are both more established then the new Jets, are in larger markets, and are far more proven. Awesome Bill also comes off as very hypocritical. For someone to advocate moving Canadian teams simply because on their worst years (finishing in the bottom five), they lose one or two million is ridiculous, especially considering that there are several teams in the United States who lost over $20 million last year and one (Phoenix), which is expected to lose upwards of $40 million this upcoming season. All Canadian teams are more stable then they have ever been. The 4 smaller markets (Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Edmonton) are owned by Melnyk, Thomson, Edwards, and Katz respectively, all billionaires. Even without making the playoffs, and in the case of Edmonton, an old arena, all only lost relatively minor sums of money (less then $5 million). The other three teams (Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal) are among the NHL's top revenue generators. In my opinion, Canada can support an additional two franchises on top of the seven that already are located in the country. The remaining two markets that can support teams that are currently without are Quebec City and a second Southern Ontario team. Quebec City is in the process of building a new arena and has a potential ownership group ready and willing to buy a team should the opportunity arise. Southern Ontario is not nearly as prepared but could be if the NHL signaled a desire to put a second team there.

Answer 3

The Halifax Metro Centre was actually built in the seventies with the intention of attracting a NHL/WHA team. It's now too small for that by 2007 standards. The fact is the Vees and the other AHL clubs in Halifax never did that well, so there's no reason to think the NHL would be interested. One of the most likely prospects on your list is Kitchener-Waterloo just because it's in south Ontario, but outside the area where the Leafs could have anything to say about it. Winnipeg has the building, but it's just not a head-office town. NHL teams are dependant on their corporate box seats nowadays; so teams going to go where the suits are, which is not Victoria, Saskatoon, etc. But when your town has a CHL team that draws 6000 a game at ten bucks a ticket and the players get 50 bucks a week, who needs the bloated NHL?

Answer 4

How about none of the above? All that answered above forget that Canada lost their teams. If they are sooooo supportive why did they lose them anyway? The easy answer is greed of the owner. Ok, say that is so, where is the "pride and loyalty" of your proud nation. That should have kept the team there, eh? The conversion from American to Canadian is close at the moment, but that could change anytime soon. (likely after Bush is out ). So then what? You are back to a 1/2 supported and appreciated operation and said operation moves to a city like Huntsville, Alabama. Face it, if your hockey is not in a historic or larger city it is likely to fail as it did in Winnipeg and Quebec. Thank God curling is not a major league sport or we'd never hear the endless b*tching about how the US dominates that too... just like in hockey for the past 17 years.

habitant >>> Please, your points and arguments are jaded and one sided towards anything and everything Canadian. You cannot see past your own bias and prejudice. If you would reread the question you would see it is asking whether a CANADIAN CITY could support a team and nothing to do with players. Americans do dominate hockey, not in play (which I never stated) but where it counts, control and ownership of the league. All but 6 teams are in the US, where most of the revenue is generated. I think it is clear even to the dimwitted that places that have no business having hockey (Carolina, Tampa, etc.) can support the team and turn a profit, whereas major cities (questionable) like Winnipeg, Hamilton, and Quebec City cannot even get consideration of a expansion or relocation. And as far as being SMART, again please, I can see the big picture and understand what is real and what would be "right" thing to do. As a true hockey fan I understand what is real and don't have blind and misplaced faith. Get it?

Answer 5

almost any team you put in Canada can support a team. I don't really see a problem with putting a team in Hamilton, look at Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks now that doesn't make any sense. Winnipeg has a capacity of 15,000 seats and would sell out every game. and then you have the good teams in the NHL Anaheim, Nashville, there capacity is in the 18,000 and are averaging around the 14,000 fans per game even this season with the great season both teams are having, its just goes to show you that hockey is not selling in this markets. i would love to see Quebec back also i miss the great rivalry between the Habs and Nordiques. yes to most that would be great but they have to come up with the money to build big enough arena's to have an NHL team, cause in the US Government helps out team owners to build arena's as for Canada the owners don't get help from the Government. Winnipeg has one capacity at 15,000 and then you have Hamilton at the Copps Coliseum capacity at 19,000 since the 80's. we need more Canadian teams period. it won't happened as expansion cause the league will never be bigger then 30 teams only by relocating teams then you will see a new Canadian team in the NHL.


noah n>>>> you don't really know what really happened do ya. first off these teams Winnipeg and Quebec had to l;eave cause all new arena's where being build with Luxury seats and in Canada are Government doesnt help out like they do in the US on building new arena's that's the ONLY reason we lost are Canadian teams. and for what you said about the US dominates the sport of hockey well look at your facts before you say something so stupid. OK tell me how many American's are in the top ten in scoring this year, better yet tell me how many american's are in the top 20 in scoring, yes thats right NONE. you have 12 Canadians in the top 20 and you have 7 in the top 10. so never say american's dominate the sport of hockey any true hockey fan even though they hate Canada still knows that Canada is number 1 and its are game. SO PLEASE DON'T COME IN THE HOCKEY ROOM AGAIN UNLESS YOU CAN SAY SOMETHING SMART.


GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer 6

I would say Winnipeg. Winnipeg could do it for all the same reasons why my team the Wild are thriving. It was a shame when the Jets left for Phoenix, and the town no doubt has the fans to support the team. And I heard they would be willing to build a new rink. I would guess that they would have similar fan support as we do in minnesota, where in 6 years we have sold out every game. I say contract the league and pack up the coyotes and they can take the same route in as they took out.

Answer 7

Well if New YorkR/NewJersey/NewYorkIsl can have a team then Toronto/Hamilton can have it too.
Plus i really like Winnepeg and still think they were robbed of their team, but i would like to see Saskatoon have a team as well. Lots of players come from Saskatechwan - it would be great for the province to have an NHL team.

Answer 8

only 2 city's Winnipeg because they had one in the 80,s call the jets also in 1910 to 1920 there was a team call the Victoria cougars they won the Stanley cup in 1920

Answer 9

Winnipeg - for sure and they deserve a team
Halifax - probably if the rest of the maritimes support them
Victoria - probably not
London - probably not
Windsor - probably not
Kitchener-Waterloo - probably not
St. Catherines-Niagra - probably not
Peterborough - probably not
Saskatoon - not a chance
Regina - it would be nice but not a reality

Answer 10

I think Windsor, living in Detroit it is very hard to find tickets unless you want to pay a fortune. There are more then enough fans in the Windsor/Detroit area to support two teams.