BREAKING: Moose Returning to MTSC Next Season

[iso_55]

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...

[FrostyWinnipeg]

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...

If Saskatoon would not travel be a factor? More so then the Cali teams who are grouped together?

[The Unknown Poster]

AHL would give fans a look at Jets' future

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 3:00 AM | Comments: 0

IF the planned vote of AHL governors Thursday approves the transfers of the St. John's IceCaps to Winnipeg (as requested by the Winnipeg Jets) and the Hamilton Bulldogs to St. John's, N.L., (as requested by the Montreal Canadiens), the wheels will go quickly into motion for plans for the 2015-16 season.

There won't be much disruption of business in St. John's, though it will be causing some hockey personnel to relocate.

 

Who will we see?

 

ONE of the attractive elements of having an NHL team's affiliate playing in the same city is the ability to watch the franchise's future live.

If the Winnipeg Jets are successful in transferring their AHL team to the MTS Centre for next fall, here are some of the prospects fans may see:

 

G Connor Hellebuyck

G Eric Comrie

D Josh Morrissey

D Jan Kostalek

D Brenden Kichton

D Julian Melchiori

RW Scott Kosmachuk

RW JC Lipon

RW Joel Armia

C Nic Petan

C Ryan Olsen

C Jimmy Lodge

RW Austen Brassard

 

One footnote: 2014 first-round draft pick Nik Ehlers and trade acquisition Brendan Lemieux will not be eligible to play in the AHL next season (except after their team's elimination from playoffs). Other prospects in college hockey, such as Andew Copp at Michigan, still have NCAA eligibility and it's not known today if they'll turn pro.

 

The move back to Winnipeg for the Jets' AHL franchise won't be blind -- owners True North started out by operating IHL and AHL teams from 1996 to 2011 -- but many adjustments will be required.

 

Among some of the considerations locally:

 

Home ice

The AHL team will play in the MTS Centre. There are no other realistic venues in Winnipeg.

 

It's believed the AHL team will be housed in its own quarters in the arena, and not just use the NHL room when needed.

 

What the transfer of the team back to Winnipeg may do is speed up the talked-about renovations for the MTS Iceplex, which may need additional facilities to provide comfort for both the Jets and an AHL team when they practise there (which could be more frequently, given the squeeze on time at the MTS Centre). There has been talk of expanding the Jets' space at the Iceplex, which currently isn't large.

 

Schedule

It sounds nearly certain the majority of the AHL teams will play 76 games next season, as compared to 82 for the NHL. The exception will be the Pacific Division AHL teams, which will play some number in the 60's, it's been reported.

 

The league used to have an 80-game schedule, in Moose days, but reduced that a few years ago. The push, largely by NHL-owned franchises, to go down to 72 games won't be going ahead any time soon.

 

What Winnipeg fans will surely be reintroduced to are home doubleheaders. This was the blessing and curse of Winnipeg's (and St. John's) geography in relation to AHL rivals in the past and will surely be a reality in the future.

 

Travel for the AHL team will, at times, not be fun, so nothing new there for those familiar with the IceCaps and Moose. That's the reality of the AHL.

 

It's also likely the AHL team will build its home schedule around the Jets' schedule at the MTS Centre. NHL schedules are generally released in June, the AHL's in August. Home afternoon-evening doubleheaders (one AHL, one NHL) aren't out of the question.

 

AHL alignment

It's a cart-before-the horse question. The league realigned its divisions last year and will do so again for 2015-16.

 

Already, the AHL has approved a new Pacific Division with San Jose (Sharks), Ontario (Kings), San Diego (Ducks), Stockton (Calgary) and Bakersfield (Edmonton) all in California venues.

 

The Jets' AHL team will not be part of that group. True North had said previously it was not interested in that scheme to take teams to the West Coast and the franchise transfer from St. John's to Winnipeg is not part of that story.

 

Many possibilities for 2015-16 exist, given the holes in the east left by the teams moving west.

 

Tickets

There's a considerable difference in the price of AHL tickets vs. NHL tickets.

 

Currently in St. John's, IceCaps single-game tickets can be found for $23 to $31 (plus fees). Season tickets and packages enjoy some discounts.

 

NHL tickets in Winnipeg go from $52 to more than $180 face value in single-game sales, but vary widely depending on opponent. True North said a year ago its true average ticket price was $81 for the Jets.

 

All of that factored in, there will be a segment of fans that find the affordability of AHL games attractive and often a difference in a decision to attend.

 

Financial picture

Keep in mind that in St. John's or Winnipeg, hockey operations (players, equipment, travel) cost X.

 

In Winnipeg, operating an AHL team won't cause True North to have to build a new business operation. They have one running the NHL team, one that's in many ways familiar with running an AHL team because that's how they started.

 

An AHL team in Winnipeg would reduce some costs for True North. Though the assigning of players both up and down wouldn't always be free -- sometimes players would have to be assigned or recalled while one team or the other was on the road -- the overall cost will go down because sometimes it won't involve an expensive last-minute flight.

 

And it'll be the same for scouting and monitoring the progress of the AHL team by the NHL team's management and scouts. Those costs won't go to zero but they will be reduced significantly by the mere playing of games at the MTS Centre.

 

As for revenue, it's hard to say.

 

The IceCaps have been an outstanding draw in St. John's. They sold out the first 120 games they played at Mile One Centre, 6,287 fans strong for each. Attendance has dipped somewhat this year, averaging 5,787.

 

In the final season of the Manitoba Moose, an average of 8,404 fans attended at the MTS Centre, second-best total in the league. The numbers were steady and in that range since the MTS Centre opened in 2004.
 

In each case, St. John's or the Moose, it was strong revenue streams. Both were believed to be profitable businesses.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca

[Brandon]

Are average Jets tickets priced at $ 82?

Seems low to me.

[FrostyWinnipeg]

Are average Jets tickets priced at $ 82?

Seems low to me.

Most charts n graphs I have seen have the Jets in the middle of the top 10. Small arena will do that.

 

http://globalnews.ca/news/1657554/canucks-tickets-among-the-priciest-in-the-nhl/

 

Let's not forget the beer!

 

http://www2.tsn.ca/bardown/Story.aspx?The+relative+cost+of+beer+in+the+NHL&id=478036

[Brandon Blue&Gold]

 

AHL would give fans a look at Jets' future

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 3:00 AM | Comments: 0

IF the planned vote of AHL governors Thursday approves the transfers of the St. John's IceCaps to Winnipeg (as requested by the Winnipeg Jets) and the Hamilton Bulldogs to St. John's, N.L., (as requested by the Montreal Canadiens), the wheels will go quickly into motion for plans for the 2015-16 season.

There won't be much disruption of business in St. John's, though it will be causing some hockey personnel to relocate.

 

Who will we see?

 

ONE of the attractive elements of having an NHL team's affiliate playing in the same city is the ability to watch the franchise's future live.

If the Winnipeg Jets are successful in transferring their AHL team to the MTS Centre for next fall, here are some of the prospects fans may see:

 

G Connor Hellebuyck

G Eric Comrie

D Josh Morrissey

D Jan Kostalek

D Brenden Kichton

D Julian Melchiori

RW Scott Kosmachuk

RW JC Lipon

RW Joel Armia

C Nic Petan

C Ryan Olsen

C Jimmy Lodge

RW Austen Brassard

 

One footnote: 2014 first-round draft pick Nik Ehlers and trade acquisition Brendan Lemieux will not be eligible to play in the AHL next season (except after their team's elimination from playoffs). Other prospects in college hockey, such as Andew Copp at Michigan, still have NCAA eligibility and it's not known today if they'll turn pro.

 

The move back to Winnipeg for the Jets' AHL franchise won't be blind -- owners True North started out by operating IHL and AHL teams from 1996 to 2011 -- but many adjustments will be required.

 

Among some of the considerations locally:

 

Home ice

The AHL team will play in the MTS Centre. There are no other realistic venues in Winnipeg.

 

It's believed the AHL team will be housed in its own quarters in the arena, and not just use the NHL room when needed.

 

What the transfer of the team back to Winnipeg may do is speed up the talked-about renovations for the MTS Iceplex, which may need additional facilities to provide comfort for both the Jets and an AHL team when they practise there (which could be more frequently, given the squeeze on time at the MTS Centre). There has been talk of expanding the Jets' space at the Iceplex, which currently isn't large.

 

Schedule

It sounds nearly certain the majority of the AHL teams will play 76 games next season, as compared to 82 for the NHL. The exception will be the Pacific Division AHL teams, which will play some number in the 60's, it's been reported.

 

The league used to have an 80-game schedule, in Moose days, but reduced that a few years ago. The push, largely by NHL-owned franchises, to go down to 72 games won't be going ahead any time soon.

 

What Winnipeg fans will surely be reintroduced to are home doubleheaders. This was the blessing and curse of Winnipeg's (and St. John's) geography in relation to AHL rivals in the past and will surely be a reality in the future.

 

Travel for the AHL team will, at times, not be fun, so nothing new there for those familiar with the IceCaps and Moose. That's the reality of the AHL.

 

It's also likely the AHL team will build its home schedule around the Jets' schedule at the MTS Centre. NHL schedules are generally released in June, the AHL's in August. Home afternoon-evening doubleheaders (one AHL, one NHL) aren't out of the question.

 

AHL alignment

It's a cart-before-the horse question. The league realigned its divisions last year and will do so again for 2015-16.

 

Already, the AHL has approved a new Pacific Division with San Jose (Sharks), Ontario (Kings), San Diego (Ducks), Stockton (Calgary) and Bakersfield (Edmonton) all in California venues.

 

The Jets' AHL team will not be part of that group. True North had said previously it was not interested in that scheme to take teams to the West Coast and the franchise transfer from St. John's to Winnipeg is not part of that story.

 

Many possibilities for 2015-16 exist, given the holes in the east left by the teams moving west.

 

Tickets

There's a considerable difference in the price of AHL tickets vs. NHL tickets.

 

Currently in St. John's, IceCaps single-game tickets can be found for $23 to $31 (plus fees). Season tickets and packages enjoy some discounts.

 

NHL tickets in Winnipeg go from $52 to more than $180 face value in single-game sales, but vary widely depending on opponent. True North said a year ago its true average ticket price was $81 for the Jets.

 

All of that factored in, there will be a segment of fans that find the affordability of AHL games attractive and often a difference in a decision to attend.

 

Financial picture

Keep in mind that in St. John's or Winnipeg, hockey operations (players, equipment, travel) cost X.

 

In Winnipeg, operating an AHL team won't cause True North to have to build a new business operation. They have one running the NHL team, one that's in many ways familiar with running an AHL team because that's how they started.

 

An AHL team in Winnipeg would reduce some costs for True North. Though the assigning of players both up and down wouldn't always be free -- sometimes players would have to be assigned or recalled while one team or the other was on the road -- the overall cost will go down because sometimes it won't involve an expensive last-minute flight.

 

And it'll be the same for scouting and monitoring the progress of the AHL team by the NHL team's management and scouts. Those costs won't go to zero but they will be reduced significantly by the mere playing of games at the MTS Centre.

 

As for revenue, it's hard to say.

 

The IceCaps have been an outstanding draw in St. John's. They sold out the first 120 games they played at Mile One Centre, 6,287 fans strong for each. Attendance has dipped somewhat this year, averaging 5,787.

 

In the final season of the Manitoba Moose, an average of 8,404 fans attended at the MTS Centre, second-best total in the league. The numbers were steady and in that range since the MTS Centre opened in 2004.

 

In each case, St. John's or the Moose, it was strong revenue streams. Both were believed to be profitable businesses.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca

 

What tickets have ever costed $52 for a Jets game?  The last minute ones?  I have never seen tix below $80.  Granted I am out of town and use Ticketmaster or Stubhub.

[Goalie]

Went to a Columbus game this year. 55 bucks a ticket in the upper deck

[FrostyWinnipeg]

Announcement in 1 hr. Kelly Moore waited 5 years for this

[The Unknown Poster]

Announcement in 1 hr. Kelly Moore waited 5 years for this

Maybe CJOB will get the Moose rights!

[The Unknown Poster]

I see a "name that team" discussion has started on Twitter.  Have to think they'd be Moose.  Easy change, especially if this is temporary.

 

Apparently, before they went with Jets, True North had a logo/jersey designed for a Manitoba Polar Bears team (I think it was burnt orange).  Not going with the Moose would allow them to sell more merch to former Moose fans.  But I would strongly assume it's Moose.

[Jpan85]

I could see if they are just here for one or two years they will be just called the AHL Jets and let the people in TBay call them what they want if that's where they are going. Would save cost on having to design and develop for what would be a temporary move.

[Jpan85]

If you said 10 years ago in the space of four years a NHL team would return and a AHL team would leave then also return to Winnipeg. Both playing in the same building you would of been put in an asylum.

[The Unknown Poster]

 Tim Campbell @FPTimCampbell

Kevin Cheveldayoff, #NHLJets GM said the returned AHL franchise isn't named Manitoba Moose yet. #bn

 

Pros and Cons to going with the Moose.  I know if Zinger has a vote it will be Moose (I recall he fought long and hard for the Jets to be called Moose).

[Goalie]

I think the smart bet would be to call them the Jets or something similar to it at least just so you don't have to change the logos in the building around so much, don't know if that's an issue but... if it is, then the smart thing to do would be to call them the Manitoba Jets or something similar, Winnipeg Arrows? I dunno, something like that. 

[The Unknown Poster]

I think the smart bet would be to call them the Jets or something similar to it at least just so you don't have to change the logos in the building around so much, don't know if that's an issue but... if it is, then the smart thing to do would be to call them the Manitoba Jets or something similar, Winnipeg Arrows? I dunno, something like that. 

I was thinking that too.  I guess it depends how much revenue they see from merchandise sales.  If its worth it, they would create a new design, new brand and sell the heck out of it.  The easy thing to do is go with Moose.  The sentimental thing to do is go with Moose.

 

Im sure some in the office are sentimental for Moose.  I dont know if Chipman would be since they were called Moose when he bought them.

 

The other easy option would be the Polar Bears since reportedly they had a logo and uniform designed for that name and "Bears" is Chipman's favourite NFL team.  Rumour has it the logo and uniform were really sharp.  Problem is....there is already an AHL Bears isnt there?

[Jimmy Pop]

Anything but the Moose would make little sense to me. Like the Jets, the brand is already there and people liked it. Hell, the only banners hanging from the MTSC rafters are MOOSE banners.

[The Unknown Poster]

Anything but the Moose would make little sense to me. Like the Jets, the brand is already there and people liked it. Hell, the only banners hanging from the MTSC rafters are MOOSE banners.

Then you'd have to think at least a revamped logo to sell more merch.  Maybe incorporate the Jets colours.

[Goalie]

To me the moose were Minnesota. We just took their name. When I think moose I think minny and I think Vancouver farm team

[The Unknown Poster]

Read that TSN1290 reported that the team will NOT be the Moose.  if that is true, its very interesting.

 

Do they try and dust off the "Bears" and ask Hersey for their okay?  I've also heard speculation that it would be an airforce themed name using the same colour scheme as Jets and a similar logo but with a different name.

[Jimmy Pop]

 

Anything but the Moose would make little sense to me. Like the Jets, the brand is already there and people liked it. Hell, the only banners hanging from the MTSC rafters are MOOSE banners.

Then you'd have to think at least a revamped logo to sell more merch.  Maybe incorporate the Jets colours.

 

 

This is my preference. The newer Moose look was quite sharp. Plus the Jets freakin' mascot is a moose! Perfect marriage.

[Jimmy Pop]

Read that TSN1290 reported that the team will NOT be the Moose.  if that is true, its very interesting.

 

Do they try and dust off the "Bears" and ask Hersey for their okay?  I've also heard speculation that it would be an airforce themed name using the same colour scheme as Jets and a similar logo but with a different name.

 

Manitoba Roughriders Rough Riders

[bigg jay]

 

Read that TSN1290 reported that the team will NOT be the Moose.  if that is true, its very interesting.

 

Do they try and dust off the "Bears" and ask Hersey for their okay?  I've also heard speculation that it would be an airforce themed name using the same colour scheme as Jets and a similar logo but with a different name.

 

Manitoba Roughriders Rough Riders

 

 

Our version would be having two teams called the Bombers... and it would tie into TUP's post about the air force theme.

[Goalie]

Be cool if they had a rcaf style logo like the Jets but more similar to the one on the ice when they paid tribute to the armed forces .

[iso_55]

Read that TSN1290 reported that the team will NOT be the Moose.  if that is true, its very interesting.

 

Do they try and dust off the "Bears" and ask Hersey for their okay?  I've also heard speculation that it would be an airforce themed name using the same colour scheme as Jets and a similar logo but with a different name.

Polar Bears.

[Goalie]

I'm hearing from people that it probably will be moose if short term. Something else if it's long term. By that I mean if it's just 1 or 2 seasons it will be moose if long term it won't be