Will the dogs remain in Niagara for 3 years?

[Canuck311]

With 'not so exicting' attendance so far do you think the Icedogs will stay in Niagara for 3 years?

I personally am undecided.


Naturally with a winning team, attendance should pick up. I am just worried about the lack of advertising going on.

[Chooch]

Although I think the team will be here for 3 years, I would remove the line "they are here to stay!" Not saying I think they will leave but it will eventually come down to getting a new rink.

[bobby orr number 4]

probably not. all know how niagara is. even those of us who are you can't wait to leave. they'll get the three year itch. this is just a town that lives on nostalgia, not action.

[knights05]

It really depends on how much Burke is making or shall I say not making. From what I've heard, he appears to be a noble and passionate owner but that can only go so far if he's losing $$$. I highly doubt that even if the JGA was selling out, he would be turning a pretty profit.

Without question, the long term viability of a junior franchise in St.Catharines (I refuse to say Niagara) requires a 5-6,000 seat arena. Your team is as good as it might be over the course of the next 5 years, so people need to be sold now. It's critical to build a huge fanbase this year and build some momentum.

The problem in that area however is that the political and financial leaders refuse to acknowledge what you've got because they're going to Leafs and Sabres games. Until they get their heads out of their *****, good luck.

[Chooch]

Curious....why do you refuse to say Niagara?

[trooper]

I thought that they had to stay for 5 years.

[AlphaDog]

I thought that they had to stay for 5 years.

Nope, they've got the lease on the building for 4yrs, but that doesn't mean they can't move. Just means they have to pay the lease whether they're in the building or not.

[trooper]

isn't the lease like two bucks a year or something like that?

[WellandDogsFan]

I think they will be here longer than 3 years. While I hesitate to say they are here to stay, I do believe they will be in our region for a good bit of time.

[AlphaDog]

I think they will be here longer than 3 years. While I hesitate to say they are here to stay, I do believe they will be in our region for a good bit of time.

Well, those attendance figures I think put a scare in us once we saw what they were like compared to other teams.

BUT. If Thursday's games really are a bigger draw than Sunday games, and we only had 2018 last Thursday, but 2250 or whatever today on Sunday, maybe things will pick up with the colder weather. Of course, it'll pick up for EVERYONE so compared to everyone else, things won't change, but at least our own rink will be more packed night in night out.

Bill Burke was outside during the 1st intermission and said hi, and I mentioned that the crowd had grown from the last game on Thursday, and even he mentioned 'yah, the colder weather's coming' so I'm hoping the cold weather will keep everyone from doing yardwork / outside activities, and put them in the seats.

[GoDogsGo]

i think thrusdays game will have alot of people... i know on a "organization" that has sold 400 tickets to the game....

[WellandDogsFan]

"Organization"??

I think that London will sell out most arenas. They are the one team everyone wants to see. Well maybe one of two teams. I forgot that Oshawa draws well on the road because of Travares.

[GoDogsGo]

too bad london doesnt have a team this year...LOL...

[Cold Pooch]

too bad london doesnt have a team this year...LOL...

Talking like this is the KISS OF DEATH when it comes to London. NEVER< EVER count this team out. :mad:

[GoDogsGo]

sure they could spark it up...but really... I was talking to family members that have seasons tickets and they said that there is not much there now a days...

[WellandDogsFan]

they have a world class goaltender and now they have a great one-two scoring punch with Maroon and Beljo.

I think they are going to be a tough team to beat. thank god Aliu is out with a suspension.

Going to be a good, tough game. Look for Foreman to be fired up!

[Cold Pooch]

sure they could spark it up...but really... I was talking to family members that have seasons tickets and they said that there is not much there now a days...

Look at their early season record for the past two years. Then look at how they finished off.

Hunter will right the ship, he always does. This team always makes me nervous.

Have you checked their score tonight against a very good Ottawa team?

[WellandDogsFan]

Look at their early season record for the past two years. Then look at how they finished off.

Hunter will right the ship, he always does. This team always makes me nervous.

Have you checked their score tonight against a very good Ottawa team?
Yeah, some would say that Ottawa is the team to beat in the East (but we know better dont we??)

[GoDogsGo]

Have you checked their score tonight against a very good Ottawa team?
8-2... but they still only have 4 pts...sure they have a super goalie now...but the team is fairly young...and in reconstruction.

[WellandDogsFan]

The Hunters dont rebuild, they reload. They are a team that shouldnt be taken lightly, even if they have only 4 points.

[AlphaDog]

"Organization"??

I think that London will sell out most arenas. They are the one team everyone wants to see. Well maybe one of two teams. I forgot that Oshawa draws well on the road because of Travares.

Why, who's London's big draw to the games? I dont' see anyone in their lineup that stands out.

[WellandDogsFan]

Mason is their biggest draw as he is team Canada's (jr) main goaltender. People are out to see maroon as well, and Aliu. I would wager we will have over 2,700 thursday.

[GoDogsGo]

i agree... should be a great game..

[Schtick]

Without question, the long term viability of a junior franchise in St.Catharines (I refuse to say Niagara)

Why do you refuse to say "Niagara" ???

I'll tell you one thing, no matter how addicted I am to this team, if it was called the St. Catharines IceDogs I wouldn't even attend a game, I wouldn't have subscribed to the OHL Action pack and I wouldn't bother exposing new fans to this team, and I know of quite a few other people who would do the same as me.

Reason being,
I live in the city of Welland in which is part of the "Niagara Region" and I don't mind supporting a regional team, but growing up watching Junior B hockey in this area my whole life, there is a certain rivalry with the Golden Horshoe League citys and I couldn't ever stoop to supporting another team that isn't in my city.
The team name of "Niagara" IceDogs is what sold me to support this team, if it was St. Catharines then my money would be spent twords more AHL games in Hamilton like previous years and NOT the IceDogs.

I am very proud of Welland being listed as a sponsor to the IceDogs and for having a letter from the Welland Mayor in the IceDogs game program, I think that since this is a regional team, then I think that the rest of the cities in the region should follow suit and support the IceDogs to keep them in the "Niagara" Region. (even though in all reality we are still bringing revenue to the City of St. Catharines)

[RioBravo]

I feel the same way as Schtick, not saying I wouldn't support the team or go to the games as im sure I would still be a season ticket holder. It just feels more like our team being called Niagara.

[AlphaDog]

Yah, the team plays in St. Catharines but the support comes from all over. The commercial supporters of the team are all over Niagara, the fans come from all over Niagara (mostly St. Kitts but lots from Welland, Falls, etc).

What they need to do is push to get the team on the state at Queen Victoria park on New Years even in front of 40,000 people and promote them there!! Imagine the cheers they'd get then!!

Every franchise has a limited staff and can only promote so much at once so it's probably best to go after the city you plan in first then expand from that. But I definitely think of these guys as a Niagara team.

[WellandDogsFan]

Yah, the team plays in St. Catharines but the support comes from all over.

The Dogs are my team. They are your team. They are OUR team. They are Niagara's team.

[ItsGameTime]

If Mississauga can last as a hockey city as long as it has with the lack of support from fans attendance wise, I don't think Niagara should have a problem. I don't know the whole situation but who knows. All I know is that if I end up living in an OHL city you better bet I'm gonna be a season's ticket holder. Entertainment doesn't come this cheap anymore!

[WellandDogsFan]

If Mississauga can last as a hockey city as long as it has with the lack of support from fans attendance wise, I don't think Niagara should have a problem. I don't know the whole situation but who knows. All I know is that if I end up living in an OHL city you better bet I'm gonna be a season's ticket holder. Entertainment doesn't come this cheap anymore!
So are you saying that you are going to be an IceDogs fan only until you leave Brock? Say you get a job in Guelph, will you become a Storm fan then?

[ItsGameTime]

So are you saying that you are going to be an IceDogs fan only until you leave Brock? Say you get a job in Guelph, will you become a Storm fan then?

Oh no, I've been an IceDogs fan since day one in Mississauga, I used to go to games with my Mom all the time. Since they moved here I was able to get a placement through school and be lucky enough to get to watch them again. What I mean is that where ever I end up (if it's in an OHL city) you can bet I'll get seasons tickets. I'll always be an IceDog fan but I'm not going to be limiting my job search after school to the Niagara region just to be able to get seasons tickets here. Heck I don't care if I have to move to the States to work if it gives me better options or something I'd like doing more than if I were to stay local. The Dog's will always be number one though regardless of where I am!

[WellandDogsFan]

The Dog's will always be number one though regardless of where I am!
Thats what I like to hear!!

[GoDogsGo]

The Dogs are my team. They are your team. They are OUR team. They are Niagara's team.
very well said....:D:D

[trooper]

16 to 3! hopefully the majority of us here on the board are right

[AlphaDog]

16 to 3! hopefully the majority of us here on the board are right

Yes hopefully! Although I don't think this board is really a good place to get an honest opinion. We MIGHT be just a bit biased. :p

[GoDogsGo]

Yes hopefully! Although I don't think this board is really a good place to get an honest opinion. We MIGHT be just a bit biased. :p
you think... LOL.... lets do a random poll....