Hey, NHL fans!!! I've got a site for you to check out!!!

[SmileyBoy]

http://www.jetsowner.com

It's the official web site for the grassroots campaign to bring NHL hockey back to Winnipeg, preferably as the reborn Jets.

The NHL may go on strike for up to two years next fall, due to massive negotiations about the new collective bargaining agreement. The NHL would most likely redo the system where smaller Canadian TRUE HOCKEY markets like Winnipeg and Quebec City could get NHL teams again, whether as a moved, fledgling southern franchise, or an expansion team.

It's a sad, sad story to see the Thrashers barely get 7,000 fans per game at their state-of-the-art arena, when the Winnipeg Jets would usually get over 13,000 fans in their old 15,000-seat arena in the 80's and 90's. Yet Winnipeg is the city with an AHL club, and the city who has LOTS of proven hockey fans who would DEFINITELY be season ticket holders given the chance, and Atlanta, who doesn't DESERVE NHL hockey, is still struggling after facing near-bankrupcy and being bought out for a team total of only EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS.

Winnipeg is currently building a 15,100-seat arena in downtown that, unfortunately, would so far only be the home of an AHL team, the Manitoba Moose. 15,000+ seats is far too big for AHL hockey, in terms of the team having to pay rent every year for such a large facility. Sure, you can close off the upper deck for every game, but the Moose will eventually lose money on this, due to the size upkeep. I ultimately believe this arena was initially designed with NHL hockey in mind. I think the architect already had visions of Jets games at the new arena dancing in his head.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

http://www.jetsowner.com

[mbartko]

1. Just curious,

if attendance was good, why did they move to Phoenix? And don't you think more teams right now would dilute the talent pool even further?

BTW, I'm in Pittsburgh. We used to have an NHL team, too, and now have an AHL team.

[SmileyBoy]

2. The owner was a BASTARD.

He had NO intentions of keeping the team in Winnipeg. So, fine enough. There were several offers from investors and community groups to take it off his hands for him and keep the team in WPG. He refused those offers. there was one bid by Marc Chipman that was EXACTLY the amount that Shenkarow was asking for, but he turned it down. This was all because he wanted a new arena, but it was turned down by the city and taxpayers.

It was one of the original instances of an owner blackmailing a city to move the team if they didn't build them a new ballpark, stadium, arena, etc.

[mbartko]

3. Oh, I see.

That ploy. (Sorry, I edited my post while you responded). I can relate to that for sure. The Pens want money from the city/county/state for a new arena or they say they might move to Portland.

[maveric]

7. Arent the Penguins still in Pittsburgh?

Or have I been asleep for a spell?

[SmileyBoy]

4. Kick...

:kick:

[SmileyBoy]

5. Another kick.

Damn, I thought there would be some hockey fans here.:kick:

[MGKrebs]

6. Keep your hands off of the Thrashers!

We've already lost one team, and NOT due to attendance.

The Thrashers have not been below 10,000 yet this year, and were only below 10K four times all last year.

This is their fifth season, and they have sucked completely (until now), so those numbers are pretty damn good.

Anyway, good luck getting a team. Take Calgary. they deserve to have a team stolen from them! :-)

[Braden]

8. Bring Back the Jets!

Dale Hawerchuck was a man on a mission with that puck.

If I remember the owner bought the team for $10 million and sold to Phoenix for $110 million and could care less.

In an unrelated story I once told Peter Karamanos(former) Hartford Whalers owner to fuck off in traffic when he was moving the team to Carolina. I84 was jammed. Range Rover pulls up from behind with 1ARENA on the license plate. I looked over, hey aren't you PK?

PK: Yes,
Braden: On Behalf of Whaler fans FUCK OFF.

he took off on the shoulder.

[PittPoliSci]

9. Kick!

I support this all the way! Go JETS!

[SmileyBoy]

10. Kickity-dick!!!

Just until enough hockey fans see this.:kick:

[youngred]

11. Bring Back Winnepeg and Quebec City

ditch Carolina, Nashville, and Florida

[BigMcLargehuge]

12. please keep pasted articles to 4 paragraphs of less with a link

back to the original article.

Thanks

Big McLargehuge
DU Moderator

[SmileyBoy]

16. It's my own writing. I spent a good 45 minutes typing it.

I repeat: The only person the text belongs to is ME. It is NOT copied from jetsowner.com or any other site or publication. Is it possible to put it back???

Thank you.

[hippiechick]

13. We love hockey !!!

Whaddeva it takes to keep it goin' !!!

<Altho I have personal reasons for wanting the Pens to leave Pitt and head west> ....



:hippie:

[LeftistGorilla]

14. although I loved the Jets....

I don't see it happening...sorry...
:shrug:


Go Leafs Go!

[SmileyBoy]

19. The city with the most hockey rinks per-capita in North America...

is Winnipeg.

people BREATHE hockey up there. It's true that Canada is a big hockey country, but hockey to Manitoba is what football is to Texas or Florida.

[SmileyBoy]

15. Um, Skinner?? elad??? Why did you edit it for copyright reasons??

The writing is my OWN work. It is NOT that of Darren Ford or of jetsowner.com. It's MY PERSONAL writing. Please put it back???

Thanx.

[northzax]

17. as the old joke goes

the only things that come from Winnipeg are whores and hockey players...

[SmileyBoy]

18. And some of the best rock bands on the punk and hardcore scene today.

:P