View Full Version : OKC Barons to cease operations after the 2014-2015 season
Fantastic 12-28-2014, 11:40 AM Here are a few things to consider. First and foremost, the people in this city who prefer the Blazers over the Barons are not hockey fans, they are Blazers fans. Nothing wrong with that, I grew up with the Blazers, I loved them too, but hockey fans understand that the Blazers were AA the Barons are AAA... for a city to acctually prefer a LOWER level of a sport is utterly and completely embarrassing. The fact of the matter is that the hockey IQ of people like borchard (sorry to call you out, but you have been very vocal in a way that validates this argument) is very low. If you look at the product put on the ice and think to yourself "The Blazers were better," then you are not a hockey fan.
Secondly, all these people that say they couldn't support the Barons because the players get called up to the NHL and they liked the Blazers because the players were here for long periods of time are seriously off-base. Yeah, sure, Hardy Sauter, Tyler Fleck and Joe Burton were here for the long haul, but asside from that, the roster turnover year to year was just as high as any other sport. Baseball has almost always been in the farm system, and people still go to the games. And look at the Thunder roster. A handfull of guys are here for the long haul, but the turnover on the rest of the roster is pretty high. Hell, KD is the only starter that was here when they moved, and he, Russ and Nick are the only ones who have been on the roster since the move (Russ being drafted that year, Serge the following year). Looking at the Barons roster you had several players that were here for multiple years, Mark Arcobello, Tyler Pitlick, Brad Davidson, Anton Lander etc. Some of these guys have now made it to the NHL, but they had long stints in the AHL prior to their major league assignments.
On that same point, there was so much excitement when the Blazers were reformed in 92, because it was a "return to the glory days of OKC hockey"... but it wasn't. The original Blazers were a farm team just like the Barons, so, again, the whole farm system hate gets thrown out the window. And when the North Stars acquired the Blazers as their AA affiliate, and subsequently changed the name to the Oklahoma City Stars, attendance tanked. It's all about the name, plain and simple.
And while we are talking about names, the Blazers were NOT the first hockey team in Oklahoma City, that distinction lies with the Oklahoma City Warriors of the AHA in the 30s... just thought I would point that out.
Here's another thing about names. Refusing to support a higher level team because they don't have the right name is ridiculous. Did anyone refuse to support the Thunder because they werent called the Cavalry? Did anyone refuse to support the 89ers because they weren't called the Indians? Or the Energy because the aren't called the Slickers? And don't try to tell me it's not about the name. You know as well as I that if the name on the jersey was Blazers rather than Barons, these non-hockey fans wouldn't have known the difference.
All that being said, I'm not a Blazers hater. I loved the Blazers and recognize what the name means to the city, but I would like those that I have described to admit the truth, that they are not really hockey fans, they are Blazers fans. If I had to choose between the Blazers and the Barons, I would choose the Barons because of the level of play on the ice, but If I don't have a choice, I'll support whatever team we have at whatever level... even if it's the Jr Blazers (which I also go see from time to time, how many of you so-called "Hockey/Blazers fans can say that?")
borchard 12-28-2014, 05:07 PM Here are a few things to consider. First and foremost, the people in this city who prefer the Blazers over the Barons are not hockey fans, they are Blazers fans. Nothing wrong with that, I grew up with the Blazers, I loved them too, but hockey fans understand that the Blazers were AA the Barons are AAA... for a city to acctually prefer a LOWER level of a sport is utterly and completely embarrassing. The fact of the matter is that the hockey IQ of people like borchard (sorry to call you out, but you have been very vocal in a way that validates this argument) is very low. If you look at the product put on the ice and think to yourself "The Blazers were better," then you are not a hockey fan.
I've said it many times, I was first and foremost a Blazers fan, and THEN a hockey fan. You're not hurting my feelings by saying that. I grew up in SE Oklahoma. The first hockey game I ever saw was the 1980 US/USSR Olympic game. But I never said that the Blazers played better hockey than the barons. That would be ludicrous. What I DID say was that I enjoyed Blazers games MUCH more than I ever enjoyed a Barons game. Why? Because I loved the team.
Secondly, all these people that say they couldn't support the Barons because the players get called up to the NHL and they liked the Blazers because the players were here for long periods of time are seriously off-base. Yeah, sure, Hardy Sauter, Tyler Fleck and Joe Burton were here for the long haul, but asside from that, the roster turnover year to year was just as high as any other sport.[/quote]
You forgot; Marty Standish, Peter Arvanitis, Jean-Ian Filliatrault, Guy Girard, Steve Simoni. Alan Perry, George Dupont, Simon Olivier
Baseball has almost always been in the farm system, and people still go to the games.
Actually they don't seem to anymore, at least not in Oklahoma City. Last year OKC was 10th out of 16 in the PCL in attendance. In 2005 we were 6th in attendance, and it has slipped pretty continually since then. Like the barons they have even resorted to curtaining off the upper deck to make the stadium not look so empty.
On that same point, there was so much excitement when the Blazers were reformed in 92, because it was a "return to the glory days of OKC hockey"... but it wasn't. The original Blazers were a farm team just like the Barons, so, again, the whole farm system hate gets thrown out the window. And when the North Stars acquired the Blazers as their AA affiliate, and subsequently changed the name to the Oklahoma City Stars, attendance tanked. It's all about the name, plain and simple. And while we are talking about names, the Blazers were NOT the first hockey team in Oklahoma City, that distinction lies with the Oklahoma City Warriors of the AHA in the 30s... just thought I would point that out.
I guess if that were true, and I'm not saying it isn't, why didn't Prodigal just run a promotion saying "The Blazers are going to The Show!"? I actually agree with you on that point. With all of the stupid people like me out there, all it would have taken to get all us rubes on board would've been to just name the damned team The Blazers!? You'd think that a marketing genius like Bob Funk Jr would have know this. You seem to know more about the hockey history in OKC than HE does! All banners taken down. No mention of The Blazers, Stars, Warriors, Nothing. Apparently there was no hockey ever in Oklahoma City before the barons came. It's as if Bob Funk Jr invented hockey when they brought the barons to town.
Here's another thing about names. Refusing to support a higher level team because they don't have the right name is ridiculous. Did anyone refuse to support the Thunder because they werent called the Cavalry?
Never supported the Cavalry. Went to a few games, if there was nothing better to do that night. Or, it was New Years Ever.
Did anyone refuse to support the 89ers because they weren't called the Indians?
Don't remember the Indians. Haven't lived here that long.
Or the Energy because the aren't called the Slickers?
Don't support the energy. (See Bob Funk Jr reference above). I DID support the Slickers. I went to more games than I can remember. Sometimes it was just me, and 35 of my closest friends :-)
And don't try to tell me it's not about the name. You know as well as I that if the name on the jersey was Blazers rather than Barons, these non-hockey fans wouldn't have known the difference.
See my statement above. It's the "non-hockey fans" (READ "most of Oklahoma City") that Prodigal didn't seem to understand, and subsequently alienated, from my perspective. They might non know the difference, but I would bet you more of them would still be attending games. Do you folks not remember the Booster Club for The Blazers? Regulars folks, like you and me, that bought buttons and jerseys, had fundraisers, chartered buses to away games. Those were loyal fans, whether they met anyone's criteria as a "hockey fan" or not. They loved their team. They loved their players. And they actually paid for tickets to games, even away games. So please, before anyone else tries to poo poo the dumb Okies who just don't understand hockey, realize that you're talking about the people who made hockey successful here, in the first place. I know, it was't "real" hockey. It was ;
beer league
bush league
carnival hockey
but people actually came to watch it. And for whatever reason, they didn't buy what the barons and Prodigal were selling. So, in the end, who's fault is that?
All that being said, I'm not a Blazers hater. I loved the Blazers and recognize what the name means to the city, but I would like those that I have described to admit the truth, that they are not really hockey fans, they are Blazers fans. If I had to choose between the Blazers and the Barons,
OK, you got me. I am NOT a "real" hockey fan. I was, am, and always will be, a Blazers fan. I'm not going to apologize for it. I'm proud of it
I would choose the Barons because of the level of play on the ice, but If I don't have a choice, I'll support whatever team we have at whatever level... even if it's the Jr Blazers (which I also go see from time to time, how many of you so-called "Hockey/Blazers fans can say that?")
Apparently more people than can say they went to a barons game, since I saw that they pulled in over 7,000 people for a game at The Cox Center this year. I will be going, now that I know there is a team. Got dust off the old jersey,a nd put on the foil ;-)
Dave Cook 12-30-2014, 12:17 AM Couple of points here;
1. the Barons are NOT NHL'ers. They are AHL. One step below the NHL. Wow, I'm a native Okie and even I know that.
Whoa! What a sec.....you mean the Barons aren't in the National Hockey League? Man, thanks for the correction.
I coulda sworn Jonathon Cheechoo led the entire NHL in goals a few years ago.
I coulda sworn Martin Gerber led the Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup a few years back.
I coulda sworn Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins were some of the most promising young forwards in the NHL today.
I coulda sworn Josh Green had over 300, Jason Williams over 400 and Darcy Hordichuk over 500 NHL games experience before coming to OKC
I coulda sworn Justin Schultz was one of the best D-men in Edmonton.
I coulda sworn Mark Arcobello, Magnus Paajarvi, and Chris VandeVelde were all skating regular shifts in the show.
I'll go ahead and stop there because you're not a hockey fan and this information might be a bit too much to take in. But since you're a Blazers fan, you can rest easy tonight knowing that all this NHL talent will be long gone and you can look forward to Doug 'the mullet' Lawrence and Marco 'the forehead' Cefalo returning to the ice....along with chuck-a-puck or the Ben Buckland toupee toss or whatever the hell else draws you knuckle-draggers to the rink,
borchard 12-30-2014, 10:03 AM Whoa! What a sec.....you mean the Barons aren't in the National Hockey League? Man, thanks for the correction.
I coulda sworn Jonathon Cheechoo led the entire NHL in goals a few years ago.
I coulda sworn Martin Gerber led the Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup a few years back.
I coulda sworn Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins were some of the most promising young forwards in the NHL today.
I coulda sworn Josh Green had over 300, Jason Williams over 400 and Darcy Hordichuk over 500 NHL games experience before coming to OKC
I coulda sworn Justin Schultz was one of the best D-men in Edmonton.
I coulda sworn Mark Arcobello, Magnus Paajarvi, and Chris VandeVelde were all skating regular shifts in the show. Going a LONG way out your way to make a point there. But OK...
Did you know that in the past four years the CHL, you know that Bush League that The Blazers used to be in, had 154 call-ups to the American Hockey League, you know the league that the barons are in (Can't say that for much longer though.)
Did you know that there are ACTUALLY former CHL players who are playing int he NHL? WHAT?!??
- Brian Foster (Florida Panthers)
- Jordie Benn (Dallas Stars)
- Ryan Garbutt (Dallas Stars)
- David Schlemko (Phoenix Coyotes)
- Keith Aucoin (Washington Capitals)
- Andrew Desjardins (San Jose Sharks)
- Joel Martin (New York Islanders)
I'll go ahead and stop there because you're not a hockey fan and this information might be a bit too much to take in. But since you're a Blazers fan, you can rest easy tonight knowing that all this NHL talent will be long gone and you can look forward to Doug 'the mullet' Lawrence and Marco 'the forehead' Cefalo returning to the ice....along with chuck-a-puck or the Ben Buckland toupee toss or whatever the hell else draws you knuckle-draggers to the rink,
I won't stop there. Did you also know that the bush league, carnival, knuckle-dragging Blazers sent several players to the NHL? Not just players who played here on their way down? And this, without any sort of agreement with an NHL team.
Wade Brookbank
Sebastian Centomo
Viktor Ignatiev
Cam Severson
And BTW, it's attitudes like yours that have turned me off from even trying to follow the barons. I have NEVER resorted to calling Barons fans names. I just said I didn't enjoy it. I also do not like the ownership of the team. That's my deal. But for some reason I get called; stupid, ignorant, knuckle-dragger, okie just because I liked my team. Hopefully you don't work in marketing for Prodigal. But given their track record of success, I wouldn't be surprised.
Laramie 12-30-2014, 12:16 PM Borchard subscribes to other forums. He has been unwavering about his feelings of the Barons and Energy FC's ownership (also owned RedHawks), which we should all respect.
We should all be reminded that Pete has provided us a vehicle to express our opinions whether we agree or disagree with others. Let's police ourselves and our language directed toward other posters as we agree to disagree with their point of view.
kwhey 12-30-2014, 01:11 PM Just read that the Blazers Junior A team drew over 7,000 people to a game recently at the Cox Center. What was the largest crowd the barons pulled in this year?
That was another Blazers inflated number. There were closer to 5,000 there. The whole crowd could have been in the lower bowl.
borchard 12-30-2014, 02:42 PM Borchard subscribes to other forums. He has been unwavering about his feelings of the Barons and Energy FC's ownership (also owned RedHawks), which we should all respect.
We should all be reminded that Pete has provided us a vehicle to express our opinions whether we agree or disagree with others. Let's police ourselves and our language directed toward other posters as we agree to disagree with their point of view.
I really like reading Laramie's posts. Whether I agree with him on a topic, or not, I always respect his opinion because it is almost always written with tact and grace. He never resorts to name-calling. and if he's wrong, he admits it.
Dave Cook 12-31-2014, 12:02 AM And BTW, it's attitudes like yours that have turned me off from even trying to follow the barons. I have NEVER resorted to calling Barons fans names. I just said I didn't enjoy it. I also do not like the ownership of the team. That's my deal. But for some reason I get called; stupid, ignorant, knuckle-dragger, okie just because I liked my team. Hopefully you don't work in marketing for Prodigal. But given their track record of success, I wouldn't be surprised.
Sorry I heart your feelings, Sweetie.
You see, hockey fans that actually live in Oklahoma City don't care about this silliness and are frustrated by this strange faction of 'Blazers fans' that are caught up in this bizarre battle of allegiances.
I don't care if the team is owned by the Boston Bruins, Ron Norick, Horn Chen or Bob Funk, Jr. I don't care if the GM is Harry Sinden or Ted Hampson or Chris Dashney. I buy a ticket, take a seat and enjoy the hockey game. I don't care about the car-giveaways, ticket holder parties or meeting the players. Who cares about meeting a bunch of hockey players?
But for some reason, so many Blazers fans made it about them. I enjoyed a lot of Blazers games from 1992 to 2011 but don't necessarily miss it. You're trying to make an argument about how great the CHL was.....but you have to be kidding. I liked watching those Doug Shedden Wichita Thunder teams but there is simply no comparison between that and the AHL.
And what is the beef with the Funks? Poor advertising? I see the commercials on TV periodically and they gave away freagin cars, for Christ's sakes. They have had really good teams every year including two Western Conference Finals appearances and are currently 20-7. What's not to like?
Obviously, the good ol days of Oklahoma City hockey are long gone and never coming back. You can bring in the ECHL (which is fine) but we'll still only pull in 2,000-3,000 fans. Minor league hockey nationally isn't what it used to be.
Just too bad more people here don't appreciate the game.
Dave Cook 12-31-2014, 12:17 AM I guess if that were true, and I'm not saying it isn't, why didn't Prodigal just run a promotion saying "The Blazers are going to The Show!"? I actually agree with you on that point. With all of the stupid people like me out there, all it would have taken to get all us rubes on board would've been to just name the damned team The Blazers!? You'd think that a marketing genius like Bob Funk Jr would have know this. You seem to know more about the hockey history in OKC than HE does! All banners taken down. No mention of The Blazers, Stars, Warriors, Nothing. Apparently there was no hockey ever in Oklahoma City before the barons came. It's as if Bob Funk Jr invented hockey when they brought the barons to town.
This is kind of a bizarre statement.
While the Barons did remove the Blazers banners (as they should have), there have been gigantic wall wraps in the arena for several seasons listing every Oklahoma City player to play in the NHL since 1965. To say that they have completely ignored the history of hockey in OKC is not completely factual.
dankrutka 12-31-2014, 01:10 AM Hockey in OKC will never succeed on a grand scale. Oklahoma is simply not a hockey State. I was born and raised in Oklahoma and hockey was not even on the radar as a sport to play as a young person. Hockey can only prosper in relatively warm places IF the populous includes transplants from colder cities where hockey is big time. Examples, Phoenix, LA, Miami, Dallas to some degree Nashville. Oklahoma and OKC is not a diverse state or city, for the most part people in large numbers are not moving to OKC from N or NE states where again hockey is strong. Give up on hockey outisde of your carnival level teams like the one before the Barons
If OKC had a NHL team and no NBA team, this would become a "hockey town" overnight just like it became a NBA town overnight.
jn1780 12-31-2014, 01:36 PM If OKC had a NHL team and no NBA team, this would become a "hockey town" overnight just like it became a NBA town overnight.
I agree. It just shows that the city can't support two major teams. That said, if we were to compare basketball to hockey, people are going to choose basketball. This is probably true for most of the country except northern regions.
Laramie 12-31-2014, 03:30 PM I agree. It just shows that the city can't support two major teams. That said, if we were to compare basketball to hockey, people are going to choose basketball. This is probably true for most of the country except northern regions.
Columbus, OH wrestled away that final '97 NHL expansion franchise from OkC. Mayor Ron Norick & Clay Bennett were told to get a press conference ready for Monday; then came the adverse news that Ohio's capital city was selected. The attendance figures dropped after the 3rd year honeymoon period in Columbus, attendance has a stable 15,000 followers.
We're passed that five year milestone (Thunder's 8th year, local ownership) with a healthy NBA franchise as evident by 190 consecutive sellouts (18,203). Note: We're 42nd among the top 50 markets; with 30 NBA franchises in which 2 markets possess two NBA teams each, we're fortunate to be among the elite.
Minor league sports has less appeal once a city begins that transition into the major leagues. We are no longer a virgin sports market. As OKC experiences growth, the appetite for more sports will continue. We need to be discrete & selective about the next major professional sports franchise (MLB, NFL, NHL, MLS) that enters our market.
borchard 01-02-2015, 08:50 AM Columbus, OH wrestled away that final '97 NHL expansion franchise from OkC. Mayor Ron Norick & Clay Bennett were told to get a press conference ready for Monday; then came the adverse news that Ohio's capital city was selected. The attendance figures dropped after the 3rd year honeymoon period in Columbus, attendance has a stable 15,000 followers.
I know I was one of those back then that was really hoping we would get one of the NHL expansion franchises. But even I had to admit that I wasn't sure it would work, long term. I am actually glad we didn't get one, now. IMHO, the NHL, and hockey in general, was at it's zenith of popularity right about then, but it has jumped the shark several times in the past 20yrs. Strikes, changing TV strategies, etc...
We're passed that five year milestone (Thunder's 8th year, local ownership) with a healthy NBA franchise as evident by 190 consecutive sellouts (18,203). Note: We're 42nd among the top 50 markets; with 30 NBA franchises in which 2 markets possess two NBA teams each, we're fortunate to be among the elite.
I am so very excited about the Thunder, and how OKC has embraced and supported them. Kind of like I was with the Blazers, I am a Thunder fan MUCH more than I am a basketball fan. Before we got The Thunder I can't remember the last time I watched an entire game. Now, it's rare that my wife miss a game.
Minor league sports has less appeal once a city begins that transition into the major leagues. We are no longer a virgin sports market. As OKC experiences growth, the appetite for more sports will continue. We need to be discrete & selective about the next major professional sports franchise (MLB, NFL, NHL, MLS) that enters our market.
You might be right. We finally see ourselves as a "Major League" city. And it's hard to be someone else's "farm team." Doesn't mean it can't happen, though.
Edgar 01-02-2015, 01:20 PM Epic marketing fail by Junior and whoever advised him. You can see by the taxpayer funded upgrades to the Myriad, those stupid loge suites, the exclusive bar that hosted the zombie apocalypse on game nights, Fund and co weren't looking to woo the blue collar Blazer crowd. They obviously thought there existed a legion of more well to do hockey fans hungering for higher quality hockey if you could just get rid of the Blazers' stink. Looks like there was 100's of them on game nights. The upgrade would have succeeded sans the arrogance of Funk and city leaders. There are still plenty of hockey fans in OKC.
borchard 01-03-2015, 10:33 AM We'll just have to see what happens now. My personal hope is that Brad Lund and DeBray Ayala are behind an effort to get OKC into the ECHL. And of course I, and many lunk-headed, idiotic, knuckle-dragging fans would love it if they are able to bring back The Blazers name/colors/etc... However, I'm not sure if Funk and Prodigal still own the rights to the name. If so, that may not happen. There is HUGE animosity between the two parties that started when Funk Jr fired Lund and Ayala, and it is continuing with their battles over soccer in OKC.
Edgar 01-03-2015, 02:17 PM Proves how clueless Junior was- fire Brooks and Lund and dumps the brand name that has passionate loyalty. You'd hope wouldn't be pettiness and a scorched earth attitude towards reviving hockey in OKC that people want to attend, but you may be right. Cornett and Co seem to think OKC is a totally different city than it was 15 years ago. He said it's not the same city and he's right, we used to have motorsports and a beloved hockey team.
kevinpate 01-03-2015, 11:16 PM And some folk had tricycles. Part of growing older I suppose
bradh 01-04-2015, 11:21 PM What world do you dolts live in that you would rather have "we're here for the fights" hockey and weekend warrior racing over what we have in OKC now?
The Funks maybe missed the boat with hockey, but I can tell you they are doing okay with soccer so far, your boy Lund has his work cut out for him, especially if USL gets the tier two status they are going for.
Richard at Remax 01-06-2015, 11:11 PM A close friend of mine Sent me this text tonight after talking to some people in the know with the barons so take it for what it's worth
Here's the latest on the rumor about the team: the players were told to sit tight and not sell their houses. Bakersfield arena is not ready or up to ahl standards and essentially the barons have no where to go. Funk wanted a 3 yr lease, Edmonton a 5 yr and the city. A 10 yr. Edmonton is working with the city now to extend for at least another year and will run the team. Funk owns the barons name so may have to be rebranded. Edmonton would like to get a lease that allows barons to stay up to 2 yrs with the option of an echl team moving in after barons leave( current Bakersfield team)
So best case scenario is Edmonton takes over the team, rebrands it, and is here for two more years, with promise of current Bakersfield team moving here if/when team moves. Also it was interesting to hear that barons have one of the highest # of season ticket holders. Loyalty was always there but there was obvious poor marketing to try to get your average fans consistently to the games
Jersey Boss 01-07-2015, 12:45 AM A close friend of mine Sent me this text tonight after talking to some people in the know with the barons so take it for what it's worth
Here's the latest on the rumor about the team: the players were told to sit tight and not sell their houses. Bakersfield arena is not ready or up to ahl standards and essentially the barons have no where to go. Funk wanted a 3 yr lease, Edmonton a 5 yr and the city. A 10 yr. Edmonton is working with the city now to extend for at least another year and will run the team. Funk owns the barons name so may have to be rebranded. Edmonton would like to get a lease that allows barons to stay up to 2 yrs with the option of an echl team moving in after barons leave( current Bakersfield team)
So best case scenario is Edmonton takes over the team, rebrands it, and is here for two more years, with promise of current Bakersfield team moving here if/when team moves. Also it was interesting to hear that barons have one of the highest # of season ticket holders. Loyalty was always there but there was obvious poor marketing to try to get your average fans consistently to the games
I this is true, is the fact the city is wanting a 10 year lease a typical deal or is it a way of discouraging the team from staying?
kevinpate 01-07-2015, 12:57 AM I this is true, is the fact the city is wanting a 10 year lease a typical deal or is it a way of discouraging the team from staying?
Hmmmmm, why oh why does the term functionally obsolete waft across the evening air
Dave Cook 01-07-2015, 01:52 AM Here's the latest on the rumor about the team: the players were told to sit tight and not sell their houses.
Immediate red flag. Not saying it isn't interesting and couldn't be true......but what minor league player buys a home in Oklahoma City?
Every hockey player in Oklahoma City going back to Pete Panagabko has lived in an apartment complex or, at best, a rent house.
borchard 01-07-2015, 06:49 AM Immediate red flag. Not saying it isn't interesting and couldn't be true......but what minor league player buys a home in Oklahoma City?
Every hockey player in Oklahoma City going back to Pete Panagabko has lived in an apartment complex or, at best, a rent house.
NO minor league player buys a house
bradh 01-07-2015, 07:27 AM Yeah I'm shocked at that as well. I know pretty much the entire Energy FC team/coaches all live in one apartment complex.
Richard at Remax 01-07-2015, 09:12 AM OK I think it was taken out of context. tell them to not cancel rent/living arrangement as of right now.
borchard 01-07-2015, 09:24 AM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6PhjMARiRo
This brought back a lot of memories. I was at this game and I remember it well.
Excitement,
A Joe Burton hat trick
A fight.
John Brooks doing play-by-play
And a fairly full arena, packed with redneck, knuckle-dragging, hillbilly, Okie rubes who just don't truly appreciate the intricacies of "real" hockey but who are having a great time, anyway.
But with all those people who came to the game, it's just a shame that they didn't charge them to get in. They DID give away every single ticket, right? I mean, that's the conventional meme that has gone around. They could have made SO much money if they'd have just charged for tickets!
borchard 01-07-2015, 09:30 AM Wait, I forgot, there were a bunch of dolts there, too. Can't forget the dolts.
dcsooner 01-07-2015, 09:34 AM If OKC had a NHL team and no NBA team, this would become a "hockey town" overnight just like it became a NBA town overnight.
I don't agree with this at all. I am a out of State season ticket holder for the Thunder making about 3 games per year. I wouldn't even watch Hockey. NHL hockey would do OK but I don't think it would rise as fast nor maintain the level of enthusiasm of the NBA. Hockey is an afterthought sport outside of the NHL markets and the Stanley Cup.
Laramie 01-07-2015, 09:39 AM We'll just have to see what happens now. My personal hope is that Brad Lund and DeBray Ayala are behind an effort to get OKC into the ECHL. And of course I, and many lunk-headed, idiotic, knuckle-dragging fans would love it if they are able to bring back The Blazers name/colors/etc... However, I'm not sure if Funk and Prodigal still own the rights to the name. If so, that may not happen. There is HUGE animosity between the two parties that started when Funk Jr fired Lund and Ayala, and it is continuing with their battles over soccer in OKC.
Oklahoma City needs to utilize more of its metropolitan area for minor league sports franchises:
Return the Blazers' name-recognition for an ECHL franchise in OKC along with arch rivals Tulsa & Wichita should boost attendance Our metropolitan area is on pace of eclipse 1.5 million. It may take a one-year hiatus or longer to shake off the rust of the Barons. Remember, Barons was the name that lost in the naming of OKC's NBA franchise Thunder. Barons & RedHawks names should be permanently retired after this season.
City does need to provide more upgrades (new roof/seating) at the Fairgrounds Arena or erect a new arena at the Fairgrounds for rodeo, basketball & ice hockey use to easily accommodate up to 8,000 with free paved parking; this would allow more money to be spent on team sales/concessions as the city will probably phase-out the Cox Convention Center sometime after 2000.
The NBADL Oklahoma City Blue could also be a future tenant to have them share the Chesapeake Energy Arena with the Thunder. A city like Enid (68 miles, nw) would be a paradise for the Oklahoma City Blue (6,500 seat Chisholm Trail Expo Center, 3,000 seat Enid Events Center or 2,500-seat Mark Price Arena).
Lazy-E Arena (7,000-plus seats) would be a great venue for an Oklahoma City ECHL franchise to be shared by Guthrie, Edmond & Oklahoma City. The Edmond-Guthrie area will easily have a combined population that should exceed 115,000 by 2000.
When MAPS V is introduced around 2023-25 it will lead to the demolition of the Cox Convention Center. The Peake will become sectioned in with the MAPS III convention center-hotel complex with plans to erect a new minimum 20,000-plus seat arena for the NBA Thunder & special events in the CBD/Bricktown/Riverfront area.
What are your thoughts?
borchard 01-07-2015, 09:47 AM Oklahoma City needs to utilize more of its metropolitan area for minor league sports franchises:
Return the Blazers' name-recognition for an ECHL franchise in OKC along with arch rivals Tulsa & Wichita should boost attendance Our metropolitan area is on pace of eclipse 1.5 million. It may take a one-year hiatus or longer to shake off the rust of the Barons. Remember, Barons was the name that lost in the naming of OKC's NBA franchise Thunder. Barons & RedHawks names should be permanently retired after this season.
I agree. I do not believe that the Blazers coming back is a panacea for all minor league sprots ills. But i DO absolutely believe that if/when they gain access into the ECHL that they will have larger crowds than the Barons were able to draw. What does that say about Oklahoma City hockey fans? Don't know. Don't care.
City does need to provide more upgrades (new roof/seating) at the Fairgrounds Arena or erect a new arena at the Fairgrounds for rodeo, basketball & ice hockey use to easily accommodate up to 8,000 with free paved parking; this would allow more money to be spent on team sales/concessions as the city will probably phase-out the Cox Convention Center sometime after 2000.
This may definitely be the most attractive option at that time. It would strengthen the Fairgrounds area, as well, for horse/livestock shows/rodeos/concerts.
The NBADL Oklahoma City Blue could also be a future tenant to have them share the Chesapeake Energy Arena with the Thunder. A city like Enid (68 miles, nw) would be a paradise for the Oklahoma City Blue (6,500 seat Chisholm Trail Expo Center, 3,000 seat Enid Events Center or 2,500-seat Mark Price Arena).
Lazy-E Arena (7,000-plus seats) would be a great venue for an Oklahoma City ECHL franchise to be shared by Guthrie, Edmond & Oklahoma City. The Edmond-Guthrie area will easily have a combined population that should exceed 115,000 by 2000.
This would be my LEAST attractive option, to be honest. Way far north. Not easy to get to. No infrastructure around such as restaurants, etc... Just my opinion.
When MAPS V is introduced around 2023-25 it will lead to the demolition of the Cox Convention Center. The Peake will become sectioned in with the MAPS III convention center-hotel complex with plans to erect a new minimum 20,000-plus seat arena for the NBA Thunder & special events in the CBD/Bricktown/Riverfront area.
When do you see the Thunder asking for a new arena?
Edgar 01-07-2015, 12:34 PM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6PhjMARiRo
This brought back a lot of memories. I was at this game and I remember it well.
Excitement,
A Joe Burton hat trick
A fight.
John Brooks doing play-by-play
And a fairly full arena, packed with redneck, knuckle-dragging, hillbilly, Okie rubes who just don't truly appreciate the intricacies of "real" hockey but who are having a great time, anyway.
But with all those people who came to the game, it's just a shame that they didn't charge them to get in. They DID give away every single ticket, right? I mean, that's the conventional meme that has gone around. They could have made SO much money if they'd have just charged for tickets!
Beer sales alone at a Blazers game made it a profitable evening. Baron's games felt like a Wed night church crowd.
Laramie 01-07-2015, 07:07 PM When do you see the Thunder asking for a new arena?
Phase I of the Indoor Sports Arena (downtown) was completed in 2002 with $91 million in (MAPS for HOOPS--March 4, 2008) arena upgrades completed in 2010. Arenas built today have roughly a 20-22 year life span which would require that the Peake be replaced around 2030.
MAPS IV will begin around March 2017; run thru March 2024-25 (7-8 years).
Target replacement of the Chesapeake Arena (2030):
The Peake will eventually become apart of the new MAPS III convention center hotel complex; this will replace the current Cox Convention Center.
MAPS V will begin (extend) around March 2024-25 run thru 2031-32 (7-8 years). The timeline will include a new arena which should be completed around 2032--that will be 22 years since MAPS for HOOPS extension (2010 arena renovations completed) and 30 years since 2002 completion of the original Phase I: Indoor Sports Arena (downtown).
borchard 01-08-2015, 06:37 AM OK. Good to get your perspective. I saw something about this on Field of Schemes
Oklahoma City Thunder | Field of Schemes (http://www.fieldofschemes.com/category/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/)
There will come a day when the Thunder, metaphorical hat in metaphorical hand, come to local voters asking for money to re-renovate the Peake or money for an entirely new arena. And judging by recent history, and the lamentable timing that led the Peake to be designed barely before the truly modern standards for revenue-generating arena plans came to full fruition (most visibly, for example, a second deck of suites along the sidelines), that day might be coming sooner than people think.
kwhey 01-08-2015, 09:51 AM I can almost guarantee that people who want the Blazers back will be disappointed that will not be the brawl fest that they expect and the players do not stay for 5-10 years.
kwhey 01-08-2015, 10:14 AM Phase I of the Indoor Sports Arena (downtown) was completed in 2002 with $91 million in (MAPS for HOOPS--March 4, 2008) arena upgrades completed in 2010. Arenas built today have roughly a 20-22 year life span which would require that the Peake be replaced around 2030.
MAPS IV will begin around March 2017; run thru March 2024-25 (7-8 years).
Target replacement of the Chesapeake Arena (2030):
The Peake will eventually become apart of the new MAPS III convention center hotel complex; this will replace the current Cox Convention Center.
MAPS V will begin (extend) around March 2024-25 run thru 2031-32 (7-8 years). The timeline will include a new arena which should be completed around 2032--that will be 22 years since MAPS for HOOPS extension (2010 arena renovations completed) and 30 years since 2002 completion of the original Phase I: Indoor Sports Arena (downtown).
Why don't the billionaires build their own arena?
borchard 01-08-2015, 10:25 AM Why don't the billionaires build their own arena?
GREAT question!
Jersey Boss 01-08-2015, 10:27 AM Why don't the billionaires build their own arena?
Because they know they don't have to. If the taxpayers don't want to pay for the stadium/arena, they will take their ball somewhere else.
borchard 01-08-2015, 10:34 AM I've really enjoyed reading articles at
Field of Schemes | sports stadium news and analysis (http://www.fieldofschemes.com)
kwhey 01-08-2015, 10:44 AM Because they know they don't have to. If the taxpayers don't want to pay for the stadium/arena, they will take their ball somewhere else.
Good, let them take their ball elsewhere. If all cities would start doing this, these billionaires would (and should) pay for their own buildings.
kwhey 01-08-2015, 02:25 PM [SIZE=4]
City does need to provide more upgrades (new roof/seating) at the Fairgrounds Arena or erect a new arena at the Fairgrounds for rodeo, basketball & ice hockey use to easily accommodate up to 8,000 with free paved parking; this would allow more money to be spent on team sales/concessions as the city will probably phase-out the Cox Convention Center sometime after 2000.
Lazy-E Arena (7,000-plus seats) would be a great venue for an Oklahoma City ECHL franchise to be shared by Guthrie, Edmond & Oklahoma City. The Edmond-Guthrie area will easily have a combined population that should exceed 115,000 by 2000.
What are your thoughts?
The Lazy E Arena doesn't have an ice plant and the one at the SFA has been removed. Neither place is acceptable for hockey.
GoOKC1991 01-08-2015, 03:00 PM -1 Million chance hockey would ever happen at Lazy E
GoOKC1991 01-08-2015, 03:02 PM The SFA would need a complete overhaul, nobody wants to sit in those seats for hockey
puga203 01-08-2015, 05:11 PM Immediate red flag. Not saying it isn't interesting and couldn't be true......but what minor league player buys a home in Oklahoma City?
Every hockey player in Oklahoma City going back to Pete Panagabko has lived in an apartment complex or, at best, a rent house.
Actually it isn't as uncommon as you would think. Guys like Richard Bachman, Matt Ford, Ryan Hamilton, Will Acton, Josh Green, Yann Danis, and so on with families and AHL contracts do often buy houses knowing that they will be here for a while. Or at unless a trade were to happen. Those players though know that they're AHL players with little to no shot at going up and staying in the NHL. The younger players like Brandon Davidson, Anton Lander, Martin Marincin, etc. do not buy because of uncertainties as to where there career could take them still.
As for the "7000" fans at the Blazers game, it was the same as I always knew it to be....free tickets. I went to every home game and rarely paid regular price for a ticket. My section was 209 and I always used the free vouchers and just paid an upgrade fee for better seats, roughly $3 a ticket. Didn't have a voucher to take to the game? No problem, they had stacks of them sitting on the little counter next to the ticket windows at the the Ford Center. The only difference for this game back in Oct. was that you didn't have to pay any upgrade fees at all....they were strictly free.
borchard 01-09-2015, 07:49 AM The SFA would need a complete overhaul, nobody wants to sit in those seats for hockey
The Blazers used to play several games a year there back in the day when the rodeo, I think?, would come through the Myriad every January. No the best venue, but it worked back then.
borchard 01-09-2015, 07:50 AM The Lazy E Arena doesn't have an ice plant and the one at the SFA has been removed. Neither place is acceptable for hockey.
When did the one at SFA get removed? I thought they still had Disney On Ice during the Fair?
Bill Robertson 01-09-2015, 08:21 AM When did the one at SFA get removed? I thought they still had Disney On Ice during the Fair?Disney On Ice was at the 1014 Fair. And the 2015 State Fair website talks about an all new "Frozen" Disney On Ice. The SFA must still have an ice plant.
kevinpate 01-09-2015, 08:24 AM ..., nobody wants to sit in those seats for hockey
set the beer price low enough, and even non-fans will endure the seats :)
jn1780 01-09-2015, 10:29 AM Disney On Ice was at the 1014 Fair. And the 2015 State Fair website talks about an all new "Frozen" Disney On Ice. The SFA must still have an ice plant.
I don't know if it has been removed, but I'm sure Disney can bring in their own mobile ice plant. The actual performance area is probably half the size of a hockey ring. I actually wouldn't be surprised if Disney prefers to use their own equipment.
OkieHornet 01-09-2015, 12:09 PM would they be able to move the myriad's ice plant to the fairgrounds?
kwhey 01-09-2015, 01:05 PM When did the one at SFA get removed? I thought they still had Disney On Ice during the Fair?
They bring their own ice making equipment. That is why they always have a ton of trailers when it comes to town.
GoOKC1991 01-09-2015, 04:15 PM If it's not the Myriad or a someday built arena for hockey (yeah right), there will not be a home for professional hockey. SFA, Lazy E and the Peake will NEVER have hockey. Period.
GoOKC1991 01-09-2015, 04:16 PM Everyone needs to get out an support the Barons before they are gone, this team is VERY talented and could easily go out on top with a Calder Cup championship.
Plutonic Panda 01-09-2015, 09:47 PM Because they know they don't have to. If the taxpayers don't want to pay for the stadium/arena, they will take their ball somewhere else.Wasn't the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington built with private funds?
puga203 01-09-2015, 10:21 PM Wasn't the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington built with private funds?
That's quite a different scenario
ahlokc 01-10-2015, 08:01 AM Everyone needs to get out an support the Barons before they are gone, this team is VERY talented and could easily go out on top with a Calder Cup championship.
Yep! The Barons are currently first in the LEAGUE. It just sucks that they are doing so good and this will be their last year :(
Laramie 01-10-2015, 11:02 AM Oklahoma City to ECHL to join Tulsa & Wichita?
“They were great partners. They were totally passionate about hockey. They just ran into the power of doom in the NBA OKC Thunder. The Thunder is in the big building and they have two of the top five players in the NBA. Everything they tried, all their skill combined with a talented team which is a Calder Cup contender this year, and they just couldn’t do it. I’m sure we’ll end up doing business with them again, in a franchise way again. I’m sure,” said LaForge.
The Oilers ECHL club will now need a home. The ECHL just moved into Wichita and Tulsa, much better rivals than Texas teams from San Antonio and Austin in the AHL.
The OKC Barons may live again.
With no OKC Barons next year, Oilers will likely move AHL team to Bakersfield | (http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/12/18/with-no-okc-barons-next-year-oilers-will-likely-move-ahl-team-to-bakersfield)
Plutonic Panda 01-10-2015, 12:41 PM That's quite a different scenarioHow's that? Honest question, I don't know that much about sports.
puga203 01-10-2015, 04:06 PM How's that? Honest question, I don't know that much about sports.
Jerry Jones built a stadium for a team already established. It was a forgone conclusion that he would sell out that stadium with season tickets in a matter of minutes. He has the closest thing to a guarantee as there is in life.
dankrutka 01-10-2015, 04:49 PM I don't agree with this at all. I am a out of State season ticket holder for the Thunder making about 3 games per year. I wouldn't even watch Hockey. NHL hockey would do OK but I don't think it would rise as fast nor maintain the level of enthusiasm of the NBA. Hockey is an afterthought sport outside of the NHL markets and the Stanley Cup.
If OKC was a NHL market then it would be a big deal in OKC. I didn't say hockey would gain national popularity with casual fans. But if there was one pro team in town then people in OKC would quit caring about the NBA and start caring about the NHL because it would be the best product in town. You may disagree with this personally, but if the Blazers could draw people in then a NHL team could draw fans in ten fold.
Dave Cook 01-10-2015, 08:21 PM I've just heard some breaking news from a VERY reliable source.
A new team is coming to the city called the Oklahoma City Senior Blazers, a team which will consist of former Blazers 40-years and older. I hear some former players, including Craig Johnson and Ron Aubrey, have already expressed an interest in playing (as sheetrock work has really slowed down).
Apparently, there was an old ice rink on North Portland called the Ice Chalet (before my time) that they plan to reinstall ice and use for the rink. They're hoping they can fill the place. Hockey fans across South Oklahoma City are eager with anticipation over this.
Possible teams:
Tulsa Aged Oilers
Laredo Old Bucks
Fort Worth Fossils
Topeka Senile Scarecrows
Memphis Shot Liver Kings
Allen Americans Association of Retired Persons
Macon Slow Whoopee (possible Viagra sponsorship)
Youngstown Steel Huh?
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