I wonder as to what the arena requirements are for ECHL membership?

smallest is Glens Falls Civic Center in New York, it's capacity is only 4,794, CAA Centre and Brampton, Ontario is 5,000, Zalamazoo is 5,131, Wheeling, West Virgina is 5,406. a bunch in the 7k-9k range, and then slightly less in the 10k-14k range, then Amyway Center in orlando is 17,353 and BOK is 17,096 (but both of those don't sell in upperdeck usually..

so there is a vast array of sizes... not any real requirements.

Not a professional level either. How does the play compare to college club level ?

Slightly better and they have had a few players get called up to higher levels.

SMG, OKC Chamber of Commerce, State Fair Board Trust & the OKC Convention & Visitors Bureau, does these groups work together or do they have separate functions where one respects the other's territory; also are there any over ruling (1)...

Example: Say for instance ice hockey planned to return to Oklahoma City in the form of an East Coast Hockey League franchise where neighboring Tulsa & Wichita have teams; (2) Thunder objected to an ice plant being used in The Peake--how would this get resolved; (3) you think the City would invest in any upgrades (seats, restrooms) to Cox Convention Center to make it more hockey friendly if the team played there...

I think the sports landscape in OKC is different than it was 20 years ago. The Thunder is a billion dollar enterprise that elevates the image of OKC on the international stage on a daily basis. I think It is well within reason that they do not want to play on top of an insulated frozen floor that is used by a AA hockey team that draws 3,000 people at $20 each, plus $15 each non-ticket spend, for a gross revenue of $105,000 per game.

I think the city leadership is willing to support a hockey team that has a degree of benefit to the citizens without burdening our facilities in a way that harms other tenants. I think the real world answer is that hockey ain't gonna happen at the ‘Peake; probably won’t at the Myriad because of ice making (and other) issues; and the best bet is the new State Fair Arena.

^

And the Peake is starting to book more concerts.

I agree, I think OKC has changed and the sport of hockey as a whole is losing popularity.

^

And the Peake is starting to book more concerts.

I agree, I think OKC has changed and the sport of hockey as a whole is losing popularity.

the barons didn't work because they actually wanted to charge for tickets ...

the blazers for years and years and years gave away thousands of tickets to every game for free ..

^

Back in the '60s and '70s, the Blazers were very popular but that was a very different time (at the fairgrounds) and tickets were cheap.

The biggest crowds were at $.10 beer night.

the barons didn't work because they actually wanted to charge for tickets ...

the blazers for years and years and years gave away thousands of tickets to every game for free ..

well.. .and awful management. but yes. that was a big key factor aswell

Echl would by far draw more fans than the usl energy. The problem with the Barons was the management. Echl would draw over 5000 fans per game.

Echl would by far draw more fans than the usl energy. The problem with the Barons was the management. Echl would draw over 5000 fans per game.

based on what?? ( maybe if they gave aways thousands of tickets a game like the blazers)

Echl would by far draw more fans than the usl energy. The problem with the Barons was the management. Echl would draw over 5000 fans per game.

the game of hockey has changed from the 90's CHL days... the ECHL is a development league, not a league with just a bunch of fights for a bunch of fans who didn't pay. at first, yes, i think there would be decent attendance, but it would fall off quite rapidly. I feel that even if Prodigal had managed the team properly, there would still have only been around 3,50-4,000 fans average attendance, with some weekends getting close if not over that 5k mark. but what i really learned through my time on the Barons advisory board (on top of the fact that Prodigal had no clue what they were doing), was that OKC really only has about 1,500 hardcore hockey fans, about 3,000 blazers-only fans, and about another 2,000 people who really loved free fights on ice.

was that OKC really only has about 1,500 hardcore hockey fans

Yeah and they are all hanging out at Arctic Edge watching the UCO Bronchos now..... That crowd gets crazy when they play OU!

Yeah and they are all hanging out at Arctic Edge watching the UCO Bronchos now..... That crowd gets crazy when they play OU!

well, not all of the time. i have had to miss more games than i would have liked this year do to work. but i bet there is a solid core group of them there! it's some great hockey!

I did a quick search this morning and found some site that said average attendance in 2019-20 for the ECHL teams in Kansas City, Wichita, Tulsa and Dallas (Allen) are all in the 4,000-5,000 range. Makes me think that OKC could fall into that range. Maybe on the lower end.

I would think that it would just about have to be at the new Fairgrounds Arena. I don't think SMG, the city, or the Thunder want hockey at the 'Peake or The Incomparable Myriad.

I don't think SMG, the city, or the Thunder want hockey at the 'Peake or The Incomparable Myriad.

this is 100% accurate

the game of hockey has changed from the 90's CHL days... the ECHL is a development league, not a league with just a bunch of fights for a bunch of fans who didn't pay. at first, yes, i think there would be decent attendance, but it would fall off quite rapidly. I feel that even if Prodigal had managed the team properly, there would still have only been around 3,50-4,000 fans average attendance, with some weekends getting close if not over that 5k mark. but what i really learned through my time on the Barons advisory board (on top of the fact that Prodigal had no clue what they were doing), was that OKC really only has about 1,500 hardcore hockey fans, about 3,000 blazers-only fans, and about another 2,000 people who really loved free fights on ice.

Lol, my next door neighbor who hails from Maine and myself, a Jersey native, are grateful that each of us live next door to " the other NHL fan in Norman." Go Rangers!

Lol, my next door neighbor who hails from Maine and myself, a Jersey native, are grateful that each of us live next door to " the other NHL fan in Norman." Go Rangers!

i mean. i have my Brian Leetch Jersey framed and on my wall in Norman. lol. perhaps a meetup at BIG during the playoffs this year is called for! i don't really have a team. i follow players mostly.

Echl would by far draw more fans than the usl energy. The problem with the Barons was the management. Echl would draw over 5000 fans per game.

Non-sense.
I can not talk about the Barons ownership and management but the team was a very competitive team in the AHL. It is one the best league in the world and much better than the ECHL.
Despite of that and fairly price tickets the team fail.
I do not see any hockey team dragging 5000 people a game.

i mean. i have my Brian Leetch Jersey framed and on my wall in Norman. lol. perhaps a meetup at BIG during the playoffs this year is called for! i don't really have a team. i follow players mostly.I’m a Avs fan. I have a signed Patrick Roy jersey in my office.
As to local hockey. I LOVED the Blazers at State Fair Arena. My wife and I and 2 or 3 other couples would go eat before, get in the game and have a few beers while enjoying hockey for very little $. They even let us bring in our own popcorn! I know those days are gone but a Barons game in cheap seats, with dinner (with a couple drinks) somewhere in Bricktown or Midtown was $100 to $150 for my wife and I. That wasn’t gonna happen more than a few times a season. ECHL wouldn’t be as cheap as CHL but not nearly as expensive as AHL or NHL.

I’m a Avs fan. I have a signed Patrick Roy jersey in my office.
As to local hockey. I LOVED the Blazers at State Fair Arena. My wife and I and 2 or 3 other couples would go eat before, get in the game and have a few beers while enjoying hockey for very little $. They even let us bring in our own popcorn! I know those days are gone but a Barons game in cheap seats, with dinner (with a couple drinks) somewhere in Bricktown or Midtown was $100 to $150 for my wife and I. That wasn’t gonna happen more than a few times a season. ECHL wouldn’t be as cheap as CHL but not nearly as expensive as AHL or NHL.

with a full family, i could see it being quite expensive. it was probably $50-60 just me. so i can totally see how with a family it would get to be even more expensive. the problem is that when i go to the ECHL games in Tulsa and Wichita... it's costing me just as much. it's not any cheaper to attend, and the quality of play isn't as good as the AHL was.

I’m a Avs fan. I have a signed Patrick Roy jersey in my office.
As to local hockey. I LOVED the Blazers at State Fair Arena. My wife and I and 2 or 3 other couples would go eat before, get in the game and have a few beers while enjoying hockey for very little $. They even let us bring in our own popcorn! I know those days are gone but a Barons game in cheap seats, with dinner (with a couple drinks) somewhere in Bricktown or Midtown was $100 to $150 for my wife and I. That wasn’t gonna happen more than a few times a season. ECHL wouldn’t be as cheap as CHL but not nearly as expensive as AHL or NHL.

This comment has really made me reflect: I searched and found out that the Blazers were in State Fair Arena for only 7 years (1965-72). But, it was the best time in my life for going to events with my father. 1969-72 would put me just before teenage years, and going to Blazers and 89ers games with dad are about the only memories of that era that I choose to recall.

But, that was 50 years ago. And those days are gone.

I do believe the new State Fair Arena is the best place for minor league hockey and basketball to be played. And I am firmly convinced that the city has grown enough that downtown no longer has to be protected and the arena can host much more that horse events.

I’m a Avs fan. I have a signed Patrick Roy jersey in my office.


As a Quebec Nordiques fan, I resent this. Those 2 Stanley Cups should reside in Quebec City.

As a Quebec Nordiques fan, I resent this. Those 2 Stanley Cups should reside in Quebec City.

lol. i still call them the Nordiques. and now it gets really weird, cause i still call Arizona the Winnepeg Jets, and now that the Jets are back i confuse people. cause they are the Thrashers!

i mean. i have my Brian Leetch Jersey framed and on my wall in Norman. lol. perhaps a meetup at BIG during the playoffs this year is called for! i don't really have a team. i follow players mostly.

I'm looking forward to it. Love me a Nompton or two. Unlike you though I am a fan of one team with a good healthy dislike of the Bruins and Islanders. However when the playoffs begin I am more of a fan of an original 6 team than the others if the Rangers are out of it.
Anybody here grow a beard when their team is in the playoffs?

This comment has really made me reflect: I searched and found out that the Blazers were in State Fair Arena for only 7 years (1965-72). But, it was the best time in my life for going to events with my father. 1969-72 would put me just before teenage years, and going to Blazers and 89ers games with dad are about the only memories of that era that I choose to recall.

But, that was 50 years ago. And those days are gone.

I do believe the new State Fair Arena is the best place for minor league hockey and basketball to be played. And I am firmly convinced that the city has grown enough that downtown no longer has to be protected and the arena can host much more that horse events.They returned to SFA in 73 until 77. Then became the Stars until 84. I went to lots of games with wife #one and a bunch of her coworkers and spouses in the 80s.

They returned to SFA in 73 until 77. Then became the Stars until 84. I went to lots of games with wife #one and a bunch of her coworkers and spouses in the 80s.

I think they went to the Myriad in 1973 and that was any OKC hockey teams primary home for the rest of the century.

I think they went to the Myriad in 1973 and that was any OKC hockey teams primary home for the rest of the century.My memory isn’t what it once was but I’m 99.9% sure we were still going to the fairgrounds in the 80s.

lol. i still call them the Nordiques. and now it gets really weird, cause i still call Arizona the Winnepeg Jets, and now that the Jets are back i confuse people. cause they are the Thrashers!

Just wait until another team moves back to Quebec in 5-10 years lol

My memory isn’t what it once was but I’m 99.9% sure we were still going to the fairgrounds in the 80s.

That's the story of my life anymore.

I tell you how I came to that conclusion: I did a google search for "1973 OKC Blazers hockey" and near the top were images from hockeydb which showed "official hockey magazine" for 1972, 1973 and later Blazers season that have printed on the cover "In the Myriad" on each. I read some of the historical stuff on the site(s) and all of them mention Myriad and not State Fair Arena. If I see John Brooks at Remington Park next weekend when the Quarter Horse Meet starts, I might try to work up the nerve to ask him if he remembers.

My memory isn’t what it once was but I’m 99.9% sure we were still going to the fairgrounds in the 80s.

I was going through some old concert tickets that I have kept and ran across one for the OKC Stars v. Tulsa Oilers on Nov. 25, 1980. the admission was $4.00 and the game was at the "incomparable Myriad".

I was going through some old concert tickets that I have kept and ran across one for the OKC Stars v. Tulsa Oilers on Nov. 25, 1980. the admission was $4.00 and the game was at the "incomparable Myriad".I fondly remember cheap tickets to things. Not too many years ago “old” bands like Kansas, REO Speedwagon, Doobie Bros, etc. would play local venues and tickets were $20 to $40. Now the same bands are $80 to $100 or more. Way more increase than inflation would merit.

I fondly remember cheap tickets to things. Not too many years ago “old” bands like Kansas, REO Speedwagon, Doobie Bros, etc. would play local venues and tickets were $20 to $40. Now the same bands are $80 to $100 or more. Way more increase than inflation would merit.

Lol, l saw Kansas at a local outdoor venue 3 years ago on a whim one Sunday afternoon for $20 walk up price. That certainly brought back memories.

I fondly remember cheap tickets to things. Not too many years ago “old” bands like Kansas, REO Speedwagon, Doobie Bros, etc. would play local venues and tickets were $20 to $40. Now the same bands are $80 to $100 or more. Way more increase than inflation would merit.

Lol, l saw Kansas at a local outdoor venue 3 years ago on a whim one Sunday afternoon for $20 walk up price. That certainly brought back memories.

My memory isn’t what it once was but I’m 99.9% sure we were still going to the fairgrounds in the 80s.

Neither is my mind Bill, so please bear with my recollection:

We lost our CPHL franchise in 1972-73 the first year the Myriad opened; Tulsa Ice Oilers & Dallas Blackhawks played several home games in the Myriad (72-73) that year until we were awarded a franchise in 73-74

The Oklahoma City Stars emerged in 1978-82. CPHL was defunct from 1982-83 to 1991-92. 1992-93 was when Horn Chen revived the CHL, a double-A league at best; known for its notorious fights between players; players & fans; also many melees between the Turnpike Rivals involving fights between fans and opposing teams charter buses being rocked in both cities.

Horn Chen revived the new CHL in 1992 with a 6 team CHL comprised of Oklahoma City Blazers, Tulsa Oilers, Wichita Thunder, Dallas Freeze, Fort Worth Fire and Memphis RiverKings.

IIRC we were at the Myriad in 1992 until they opened the Chesapeake Arena (Ford Center 2002); do remember a time--believe it was the 95-96 season when the Blazers played 3 games in the State Fair Arena when the Myriad wasn't available. The reason I recall 95-96 that was the year we got an RHI franchise (Roller Hockey International franchise) that summer called the Oklahoma Coyotes--team lost money in OKC only operated one year.

Neither is my mind Bill, so please bear with my recollection:

We lost our CPHL franchise in 1972-73 the first year the Myriad opened; Tulsa Ice Oilers & Dallas Blackhawks played several home games in the Myriad (72-73) that year until we were awarded a franchise in 73-74

The Oklahoma City Stars emerged in 1978-82. CPHL was defunct from 1982-83 to 1991-92. 1992-93 was when Horn Chen revived the CHL, a double-A league at best; known for its notorious fights between players; players & fans; also many melees between the Turnpike Rivals involving fights between fans and opposing teams charter buses being rocked in both cities.

Horn Chen revived the new CHL in 1992 with a 6 team CHL comprised of Oklahoma City Blazers, Tulsa Oilers, Wichita Thunder, Dallas Freeze, Fort Worth Fire and Memphis RiverKings.

IIRC we were at the Myriad in 1992 until they opened the Chesapeake Arena (Ford Center 2002); do remember a time--believe it was the 95-96 season when the Blazers played 3 games in the State Fair Arena when the Myriad wasn't available. The reason I recall 95-96 that was the year we got an RHI franchise (Roller Hockey International franchise) that summer called the Oklahoma Coyotes--team lost money in OKC only operated one year.

Chen was just the money. Ray Miron was the guy behind the revived CHL with his son Monte as the day to day manager. Ray started out as the GM of the Oilers for years in the 60s and 70s before moving on the NHL with the Rockies. Ray is the probably the most important person in Oklahoma hockey.

He also was friends with and revered my grandfather. My grandfather was one of the original Oilers in 1928 and played/coached them for 14 years and his was the first number the team ever retired.

Memories & footage...


Oklahoma City clinched the title with an 8-4 win at the Tulsa Assembly Center. The team bus was met at the Turner Turnpike's south toll gate by a motorcade. It escorted the Blazers to State Fair Arena, where 500 fans were waiting when the team arrived at 1 a.m.--Scott Munn
Published: Sun, April 27, 1997 12:00 AM

Oklahoma City ice hockey fans were very passionate about the Blazers in the 6os. The Tulsa Icers (later Ice Oilers) made the rivalry between Oklahoma two largest cities intense. The Golden triangle that involved Wichita, Tulsa & Oklahoma City drew the largest gatherings among three cities that had no love for one another.

Central Hockey League was sometimes described as a 'Goon League' that attracted fans that liked ice hockey on a different level comprised of a mixture of player skills & finesse, 3 triangle cities and geography that permitted inexpensive travel via charter buses. Opposing team fans traveled in loud groups ranging from 50 to 500 on any given night; they caught the attention of the home team fans.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rpOpa7kmpk

ECHL: Tulsa vs. Wichita, November 8th 2019




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfBN3WXf23o

Both Wichita (Intrust Bank Arena) & Tulsa (BOK Center) play in newer arenas.
https://3b637q2ci74s97dgu3lvq4fm-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/image_hq.jpg
Wichita Intrust Bank Arena
http://www.bokcenter.com/fa-content/uploads/2018/03/bok-building-900x506-copy.jpg
Tulsa BOK Center

Gone are the days of two antiquated venues: Wichita Kansas Coliseum & the Tulsa Civic Assembly Center.

Interesting ECHL game between the Tulsa Oilers and the Allen Americans from the BOK Center in Tulsa--Telecast on Cox Cable Channel 3 Oklahoma City. Lower bowl in use for ECHL games. Tulsa lead 4-1 with 14:30 remaining in the 2nd period.

Echl Hockey is a step up from the old Chl blazers. Many nights the Myraid would be full, 13,999, as I remenber when we played the Tulsa Oiler. If Bob Funk Jr. had operated the Barons in the Ahl, the way they should have been operated they would still be here. Poor management was the problem with the OKC Barons of the AHL (triple A league), the same problem that the OKC Energy of the USL has now. If hockey or soccer ever returns let us hope they have a different ownership group. With proper ownership a ECHL would draw at least 5,000 to 6,000 fans per game. We need a building to play hockey in with ice making equipment. New state fair arena would be nice for professional ice hockey at the Echl level. I have nothing against the horse business, but what we need is a people place instead of a horse place.
The Myraid arena would have been a good place for hockey, but the city said they were going to tear it down and now they have a movie studio in it, with no plans to tear it down. All major arenas in the country have hockey and basketball in them with no problems, why not the Paycom center?

Miracle121

Agree 100%

The Funks' track record for everything they have operated in Oklahoma City had been met with subpar management.

The Paycom Center will seat 15,152 comfortable for ice hockey which is comparable to:


https://www.intrustbankarena.com/user/gallery/gallery_images_photo_477.jpg
Wichita's Intrust Bank Arena Ice Hockey: 13,450
https://tulsaoilers.com/wp-content/uploads/Tulsa-Oilers-at-BOK-Center.jpg
Tulsa's BOK Center Arena Ice Hockey: 17,096

Oklahoma City should carve out the Great Arena inside the Prairie Surf Media Studio for ECHL Ice Hockey--use $3 million to upgrade seats and spruce up the place with a separate entrance. There's already parking under the arena and a new convention center parking garage available. This would benefit Bricktown Restaurants and make spillover space available for the new convention center

OR build a larger State Fair Coliseum (15,000 permanent seats) to accommodate basketball and ice hockey. Fund the new coliseum, make it $150 million venue 15,000 seat coliseum with a lower bowl seating 5,000 that can be used for horse shows where the upper bowl seats are separate when not in use.

Tulsa and Wichita would undoubtedly draw 7,000 - 13,399 for games against rivals Tulsa & Wichita or larger crowds if you had a State Fair Coliseum seating 15,000.

The new State Fair Coliseum is too important to not be used year round for multiple events.

.

Looks like we've got some old school hockey fans in this thread.

If you're an OLD hockey fan in Oklahoma City, you're welcome to check out the Blazers/Stars history site. The more memories and stories, the better.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/473834234931442