http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/ahl/Manitoba-Moose-20-in-the-works-295455711.html?device=mobile

There's a strong chance the Winnipeg Jets will move their AHL affiliate to the MTS Centre this fall for the 2015-16 hockey season.

True North Sports & Entertainment had granted the group operating the St. John’s IceCaps a one-year extension last September, taking them through the 2015-16 season in the Newfoundland and Labrador capital.

The extension had been given, in part, to afford the group headed by former N.L premier Danny Williams some extra time to find another NHL affiliation agreement to take the place of the Jets-IceCaps deal.

It appears that has happened. The St. John’s group is believed to have struck an arrangement with the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens, who currently operate their AHL affiliate in Hamilton, Ont.

The AHL’s board of governors could approve the new St. John’s deal and the shift of the IceCaps back to Winnipeg at a governors meeting later next week.

It’s not known if True North would return its AHL franchise name to the Manitoba Moose, but it seems likely.

The Moose were members of the AHL from 2001 to 2011.

True North began operating the team, first in the IHL and then in the AHL, when the original Winnipeg Jets franchise left for Phoenix in 1996.

When True North purchased the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers and relocated the team to Winnipeg in 2011, it moved its AHL affiliation to St. John’s. True North maintained ownership of the AHL franchise but leased its business operation to the St. John’s group headed by Williams, to play in the Mile One Centre.

A three-year agreement was struck then, and then extended twice by one year.

Last January, the Jets said that try though they did, the geography had become too problematic, especially in the case of recalling players, and they were looking for a more workable base for their AHL base.

At that time, True North had also confirmed it joined forces with several groups with a proposal to build a new 5,700-seat arena in downtown Thunder Bay, Ont. True North’s part of the deal was that it had agreed to provide a full-time hockey tenant for that facility, hoping to relocate its AHL team there, much closer to home.

But no ground has been broken on the Thunder Bay project and funding for the proposed $106-million arena has still not been announced. It had been reported that the project — hoping to be open in September, 2017 — had a funding deadline at the end of this month or it might die.

All the way back to confirmation of its involvement in the Thunder Bay proposal, and likely earlier, True North has been exploring many options to bring its AHL affiliate into a more geographically friendly location, including Winnipeg on a temporary basis.

That seemed a possibility last summer but then in September, another extension for the IceCaps in St. John’s was announced.

I'm sure I heard the opposite. I could be wrong but I thought their market research was positive and they have been actively trying to buy a WHL team since. I remember there were rumours of them buying Regina I think it was and I heard on the radio people say it's no secret that every team that comes up for potential sale, TN talks to.

Regina has new owners this year.

I'm sure I heard the opposite. I could be wrong but I thought their market research was positive and they have been actively trying to buy a WHL team since. I remember there were rumours of them buying Regina I think it was and I heard on the radio people say it's no secret that every team that comes up for potential sale, TN talks to.

Up until the article I saw (can't seem to track it down at the moment) I heard exactly what you had too.  Hence my surprise when I read it since it really makes no sense.  I just hope TN continues to try to bring the WHL back to Winnipeg.  It's unlikely the Pats or Blades will relocate since they both have new owners. The front runners at this time appear to be Kootenay and Lethbridge (although Lethbridge may finally be turning a corner).  

Wouldn't it make more sense if Thunder Bay falls through to put our AHL team in a place like Regina or Saskatoon and get a WHL team in Winnipeg?  Regina or Saskatoon could support an AHL franchise quite easily (make their unis green lol) and I gotta think a WHL team would be more affordable than even an AHL team.  

 

Someone tweeted a question to Lawless about the team playing in Saskatoon and his response was "no - can't see them trying to push the Blades out of business".  Same would go for Regina.

With the number of events held at the MTS Centre, the AHL schedule makers are going to have a fun time making up a schedule for the Moose.

There are lots of busy two-tenant NBA/NHL arenas, and you'd figure it'd be easier for an arena to host two hockey teams than a hockey & basketball team because you don't have to spend time and money continuously re-laying out the basketball floor.

With the number of events held at the MTS Centre, the AHL schedule makers are going to have a fun time making up a schedule for the Moose.

There are lots of busy two-tenant NBA/NHL arenas, and you'd figure it'd be easier for an arena to host two hockey teams than a hockey & basketball team because you don't have to spend time and money continuously re-laying out the basketball floor.

The Jets ice is Jets/NHL specific with the logos etc. Would the NHL allow the same ice to be used for an AHL team and would the AHL want NHL logos on thier ice?

The AHL probably just cares about having a team that might make some good money. Their games are rarely to never on TV so, doubt they would care too much. The NHL, well, who cares really what they think, they don't own the arena, Changing Logos probabaly isn't that difficult really in the scheme of things. Changing the center ice logo tho might be a bit of an issue. 

That's an interesting point.

I would if board advertising would have to be changed. Not a problem if the sponsors buy ads for both teams but not all of them may want to do that.

The AHL probably just cares about having a team that might make some good money. Their games are rarely to never on TV so, doubt they would care too much. The NHL, well, who cares really what they think, they don't own the arena, Changing Logos probabaly isn't that difficult really in the scheme of things. Changing the center ice logo tho might be a bit of an issue.

A number of AHL games are shown on Sportsnet. Teams also have local broadcasts and there is an AHL Game Centre just like the NHL has.

I don't see this working too well long term. 

 

Most of my friends and colleagues who had Moose season tickets are now Jet season ticket holders.  Most have sold off portions of their tickets to other friends because it is difficult and expensive to go to 40+ games per year.   I don't see any of them stepping up to buy Moose tickets, as they are tapped out. 

 

On the positive side, there is renewed interest in hockey in this market, and there is some interest in the young guns in the AHL that we may be calling up to the big team in the next couple of years.  Tickets to the Moose would be significantly cheaper than NHL tickets.   Unfortunately, all of these factors would be consistent with casual ticket buyers, not with season ticket buyers.   A team needs a strong season ticket base to survive long term in a market.

 

I hope the issues in T-Bay get resolved.

If Montreal moves HAM to STJ I wonder if WPG would consider HAM?

If the Tbay deal goes ahead in not sure Hamilton would want a lame duck team.

I think we could handle the Moose for a year or so, but not much longer.

 

Great timing though, because the influx of talent coming through the affiliate (wherever it is) is going to be insane. Morrissey, Armia, Petan, Copp, Hellebuyck, Comrie, Glover, de Leo, etc etc

I think we could handle the Moose for a year or so, but not much longer.

 

Great timing though, because the influx of talent coming through the affiliate (wherever it is) is going to be insane. Morrissey, Armia, Petan, Copp, Hellebuyck, Comrie, Glover, de Leo, etc etc

This is exactly my point.  The AHL team now means something whereas it meant nothing before, unless you were a diehard Vancouver fan.  And I know a lot of NHL fans rejected the Moose for several reasons.  Either because they wanted NHL or nothing or because the idea of seeing "tomorrow's stars today" was offensive to a fanbase that lost the major league franchise.  It was always a different crowd at Moose games then Jets games.  The one Moose game I went to, I could not believe how quiet it was.  I could have had a conversation with someone seated on the opposite side of the arena.

 

This will be very different.  Without lifting a finger, True North has direct marketing to thousands and thousands and thousands of hockey fans.  Surely they will give current season ticket holders dibs, then waiting list members.  That will serve to ramp up anticipation and demand like it did for the Jets.  Sure, not to the same extent, but it will to a degree.  The players you mentioned will be players fans will WANT to see.

 

There are so many hockey fans in this city.  There will be some cross-over of Jets tickets holders buying Moose tickets but even taking into account the many fans who can barely afford their Jets tickets, there is a huge segment of hockey fans who cant afford Jets tickets at all that will be happy to watch a talented, young team.

 

They will do fine.  And the local coverage will be a lot better too.

It will depend on ticket prices, i wouldn't be surprised tho if theres some deals there where you buy jets tickets and get "moose" tickets for free. Or something along those lines, buy 2 get 1 free stuff. I went to a few moose games and the only one that was quiet was the first one, first time i went to MTS centre too, it was an odd environment but... went to a playoff game a couple times and it was pretty darn loud for sure. Did know lots of people who didn't like the idea of cheering on the canucks prospects tho, now that it will be our own prospects, who knows. Not sure why they don't just go check out grand forks or fargo or something, I'll bet those places would draw pretty well too. 

If they are still planning to move to Tbay, they likely can't put the team in a lame duck town.  I know when there was talk of Tbay, there was a lot of chatter of people in Winnipeg saying they'd love to go see some games.  I think the Jets prospects, especially with the team having more of OUR picks, will be a big draw.

If the Tbay deal goes ahead in not sure Hamilton would want a lame duck team.

Not lame, perm move. Just forget ThunBay.

 

If the Tbay deal goes ahead in not sure Hamilton would want a lame duck team.

Not lame, perm move. Just forget ThunBay.

 

Well they've got a vote on money for the development by the end of this month I think.  So it might be time for Plan B.  But obviously True North sees the Tbay development as an investment.  If I recall it was going to be like a mini-MTSC deal where they would have developed properties around the arena and end up owning half of Tbay.  Good for TN.

Isn't TN a partner in trying to get that building in TBay built? Like they are throwing in their own money, I mean, i know it's silly but.. you know what.. Selkirk has a nice arena lol, It's not 5700 seats but with a bit of an expansion it could be lol. Just saying but if that arena in TBAY is gonna be 5700 seats (it will get done), I don't think theres any doubt that for a year or 2, the "moosecaps" can draw at least that to a game here. At least. Probably more, i'd suspect around 7500. 

WINNIPEG – True North Sports and Entertainment, the owner of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets, has plans on the drawing board to move its American Hockey League farm team to Thunder Bay, Ont.

The Ice Caps currently play in St. John’s, N.L., but could move as part of a potential deal announced Tuesday to build a new arena in the northwestern Ontario city.

“This is a real preliminary step,” True North owner Mark Chipman said Tuesday on Jets TV from Anaheim, Calif., answering questions about the potential move of his AHL team. “We’ve been in contact with our partners in St. John’s from the moment this became a possibility, and it’s something that we’re going to explore.”

An artist’s drawing of proposed event centre/arena in Thunder Bay that could become the home of True North Entertainment’s AHL franchise.

Handout

The City of Thunder Bay announced in a news release Tuesday it found a “potential partner” to develop its event centre to include a 5,700-seat arena.

“As part of its submission, Thunder Bay LIVE proposes to bring an American Hockey League franchise to the city along with the Lakehead University Thunderwolves as anchor tenants,” the news release says. Thunder Bay LIVE! includes Stadium Consultants International, Global Spectrum Facility Management, True North Sports and Entertainment and others.

The St. John’s Ice Caps currently play in the 7,000-seat Mile One Centre in the Newfoundland capital. The AHL team is the former Manitoba Moose franchise, which moved to St. John’s in fall 2011 when the new Jets franchise began playing in Winnipeg. The AHL club is used by the Jets to develop new talent; players are frequently called up from St. John’s to fill the roster in Winnipeg if the Jets have a vacancy due to injuries or for other reasons.

Chipman says True North is committed to keeping the team there through next season.

 

5700 seems pretty small compared to what that franchise has drawn in the past but I assume they have done market research to determine what Thunder Bay can produce.

Well, 5700.. the only question that then matters for a couple years is can winnipeg draw 5700 or more per game, And honestly, gonna say without a doubt, yes yes yes. 

WHL makes more sense in the long run only need 3000-6000 a game to make a good go of it. I rather enjoy WHL hockey going to numerous Pats games over the years. Much better than the AHL.

 

Rockets draw great here.  Great team this year too.

They'll work something out in TBay, and if not there, they'll find another place relatively close to Wpg. Keeping them at the MTSC is extremely temporary and I'm sure would work fine for a couple of years.

I still think the Jets should have got on board the AHL Cali expansion. The Flames have announced they're moving they're AHL  team down there next year. How difficult will it be for teams to get in & out of TBay scheduling wise?? I don't think it'll be easy. Why not have put the AHL team in Saskatoon? They have a AHL ready building now? And look at the logistics. In Saskatchewan & in Western Canada. How sweet is that? With Cali taking on AHL franchises I just think if not Cali for our Jets farm team then Saskatoon makes way more sense than TBay. And yes, I realize the Blades play there...