Our new AHL rivals will be (?)

[Laramie]

Texas Stars (Cedar Park - Austin)

Celebration on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

San Antonio Rampage (AT&T Center)

SA Rampage - Hockey on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Houston Aeros (Toyota Center)

Aeros Game on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Chicago Wolves (AllState Arena)

and you thought minor league *baseball* games can be silly... on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Milwaukee Admirals (Bradley Center)

Admirals Game on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Others: American Hockey League - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[betts]

Sure beats Shreveport-Bossier City, Laredo and Odessa.

[emw1973]

Yeah, thats true, this caliber hockey will beat the CHL by a long shot. AHL= Completely Awsome, CHL= Dog and Pony show.

[bombermwc]

Hey, that Dog and Pony show was still fun though. Perhaps we'll see a higher caliber now, but since it's development league, we'll also see it like the Redhawks. No one stays around long enough to be the "star" because if they're good, then they're in the big leagues. So it's a constant rotation of players and you don't really ever get attached to anyone...which makes it a little more difficult to be interested.

[sgt. pepper]

I am just glad it won't be Tulsa!

[Laramie]

Don't be surprised if Tulsa has an existing AHL franchise to relocate there after our initial year. Oklahoma City's success will help!

Tulsa would be an excellent renewed rivarly!

[El Gato Pollo Loco!!!]

...So it's a constant rotation of players and you don't really ever get attached to anyone...which makes it a little more difficult to be interested.

You know, I can understand this point of view. I can imagine how some people want to hold on to the notion of not just rooting for the team as a whole but a certain player they can relate to. I have been fortunate to see and cheer on many players whom spend their entire playing career for my favorite teams.

With that said, I personally believe that rooting for the team on the front of the jersey is more important than the name of the player on the back. It's the pride of whatever city that team is in that counts for me. With today's free agency and money thrown around on the big league level, it's almost as hard to root for individuals nowadays anyway.

Maybe it's because I've been following sports at a young age and was fortunate enough to have grown up in a city with four major league teams that I find my point of view easy. I certainly cannot speak for others, but maybe it's different for those in different circumstances.

[bombermwc]

I'd say take a look at basketball in OKC as a perfect example.

The Cavaliers won their title, but how many people went to games? 10? And how often is a Redhawks game close to full?

Now think about a Blazers game. That was a consistent crowd that was enthusiastic. Those players hardly ever "advanced" to another league.

Thunder, you've got the names, Durant, Harding, etc. People buy jersey's with a name/number on it for a reason. Yes, they're cheering for the team and if that player left for another team, they wouldn't cheer for him/her anymore. But it brings a passion to the support base.

[Laramie]

Again, I would like to say that Houston, San Antonio and Austin would make for some good initial rivals; however, bring Tulsa and Wichita into the mix with relocation and this region could become an AHL hotbed. Tulsa and Wichita are within driving range and fans wouldn't mind a short weekend drive to either city.

I know people called this a Blazertown and not a true hockeytown; however, I feel as though all that's about to change. Look what Austin has achieved moving from the CHL to the AHL.

My prediction is that Oklahoma City will average 10,000-plus our first year in the AHL; this one-year hiatus from the CHL coupled with an upgrade in the caliber of performance on the ice will provide the right mix for s u c c e s s !

[Dave Cook]

I love how CHL-haters always like to rip places like Shreveport, Odessa and Laredo, apparently completely unaware that the AHL has franchises in thriving metros like Peoria, Worcester, Grand Rapids and Hamilton.

And while we're patting ourselves on the backs and thumbing our noses at lesser cities in the CHL, here's an interesting thing to consider......guess what Tulsa, Wichita, Allen, Laredo, Corpus Christi, Shreveport, Prescott Valley, Independence and Rapid City all have in common? Much nicer and newer hockey facilities than that ageing 40-year old arena in downtown Oklahoma City. Oh well....it's what's on the inside that counts.

[bombermwc]

Careful there SweetNSour....remember the Blazers and the Barons are at the Cox Center by choice. They didn't/don't think they can afford the rent/schedule pressure of the Ford Center in comparison to what goes through there. The fact the Cox Center is getting the updates it is, is quite amazing. How many secondary arenas get ANY updates of any value like these? Plus, while it's not posh, it's still not a pile either. As far as sight lines and such, it's actully a great place for hockey. And now they'll have a whole new ice system, new glass, new scoreboard, new locker rooms, new pro shop, etc. etc. etc. About the only thing that isn't changing is the seating...and I actually think those seats are pretty darn comfy for being 40 years old.

[El Gato Pollo Loco!!!]

Also, if the parent club is sending ice people down to oversee the ice getting put down, you might arguably have the best ice in the AHL.

[decepticobra]

gaaaawwdd...i simply CANT GET OVER the name of our new AHL team..."barons".

the name is hideous, the logo is hideous.

heres what i think of when i hear okc barons.....yes, its that bad.

YouTube - Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron

i want my friggin BLAZERS back,..logo, team and all. screw the barons.

[dcsooner]

gaaaawwdd...i simply CANT GET OVER the name of our new AHL team..."barons".

the name is hideous, the logo is hideous.

heres what i think of when i hear okc barons.....yes, its that bad.

YouTube - Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron

i want my friggin BLAZERS back,..logo, team and all. screw the barons.

I am not a hockey fan and I love the new name, colors and logo. I will buy a hockey jersey for the first time in my life. Predict jersey sales will be off the charts for a AAA team

[bombermwc]

Geez cobra, you'd think by now you would have gotten over it. You seem to be the only person around that isn't happy with the new name/logo.

You know a baron isn't only defined by Snoopy, although obviously by my avatar, I'm a big fan! Check this out and at least it's a different definition you may be more comfortable with....the nobility side.

Baron - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Dave Cook]

Also, if the parent club is sending ice people down to oversee the ice getting put down, you might arguably have the best ice in the AHL.

You bring up an interesting point.

Edmonton has for years featured the best and fastest playing service in the league. It would be interesting to see their crew oversee the ice installation.

But to say the Cox Center would have the best ice in the AHL is a stretch, especially with a parking garage directly underneath.

[decepticobra]

Geez cobra, you'd think by now you would have gotten over it. You seem to be the only person around that isn't happy with the new name/logo.

You know a baron isn't only defined by Snoopy, although obviously by my avatar, I'm a big fan! Check this out and at least it's a different definition you may be more comfortable with....the nobility side.

Baron - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ok, its a nice definition you got there, but it fits Europe--NOT Oklahoma City.

I guess the next thing they will build downtown will be replicas of Big Ben and Buckingham Palace so it can be more in line with the new name of our AHL team...the royal and regal Barons.

[BrettL]

I'm so-so on the team name, kind of growing on me. I do like the jerseys though. That away jersey looks great IMO

[El Gato Pollo Loco!!!]

...But to say the Cox Center would have the best ice in the AHL is a stretch, especially with a parking garage directly underneath.

That's why I slapped the "arguably" in my statement. I'm sure they'll look at everything to make it the best they can make it.

[El Gato Pollo Loco!!!]

ok, its a nice definition you got there, but it fits Europe--NOT Oklahoma City.

I guess the next thing they will build downtown will be replicas of Big Ben and Buckingham Palace so it can be more in line with the new name of our AHL team...the royal and regal Barons.

You're really being picky, aren't you?

[decepticobra]

You're really being picky, aren't you?

sorry senor, its a dumb name for our hockey team. Blazers was good..as in "trailblazers". that fit us somewhat. .....but Barons???.. give me a break. I can think of a million different names that would have been better. This just goes to show how much our NHL father Edmonton knows about OKC.

[bombermwc]

Wellat this point all i can say is build a bridge cobra. It's not going to change, whether you like it or not. I think we've all tried to offer ways for you to look at it and be ok with it, but you obviously aren't going to do that. Either you become a barons fan, or you don't become a fan of hockey in OKC...cause the Blazers are dead and gone...and aren't coming back. You keep nitpicking at it and its getting old.

[Laramie]

Shakespeare put is so mildly, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

I've heard the same rumblings when the "Thunder" was selected. There doesn't have to be any Barons (by royalty) in Oklahoma anymore than there are NHL Penguins in Pittsburgh, NBA Grizzlies in Memphis, NFL Redskins in Washington or NL Braves in Atlanta and I could go on and on...

[bluedogok]

"Barons" is a term historically used to describe a few types of people in this area of the country like "Oil Barons" or "Land Barons".

Still wish they would have figured out a way to stick with Blazers.

[HockeyFan4Life]

Blazers was good for the CHL days, but beer league hockey is OVER! The chl will be dead here in a few years anyway. It was better to get out of a bad situation, before we lost hockey for the near future.