Goon Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I've seen USHL hockey, and I have a tough time believing that real Sioux fans would forego their UND hockey tickets if Fargo got a USHL team. There is a very definite difference in the quality of hockey. Even if the USHL had better quality hockey, I personally would not give up my Sioux tickets and I don't think many others would either. For the few lukewarm Sioux fans that would leave, there are others on the waiting list for Sioux hockey that will step in. It is repulsive for me to even consider a Sioux fan buying USHL season tickets rather than Sioux season tickets because they are cheaper and you get more home games. If a pseudo-Sioux fan did that, it would be a good thing for both sides as they would save money and we would get a more caring fan in the seat in The Ralph. The bigger concern (to some) would be the suites in a new facility, which could take away from the Fargodome. Your right, they aren't going to give up their UND tickets to watch second rate hockey of the USHL. Don't see it happening because if someone from Fargo leaves their ticket will be bought by someone else. Not to say on another weekend where there isn't any Sioux hockey they wouldn't go see a game in Fargo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roper1313 Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 From what i've heard the suites at the proposed arena are being sold for $18,000 per season. I don't know what suites at the REA are going for now, but I thought a remember $25,000 being kicked around back when it opened. I'm sure that price has increased. Off course the suites at the REA at top notch and you get access to some great concerts and other events. I don't think this facility is going to compete with the Fargdome and proposed BB arena for smaller shows due to the fact that for 7 months a year this building will be full with all the HS, youth and now USHL games in the area. As a hockey parent in fargo I hope this all comes to fruitition. We've needed a facility like this for 20+ years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LB#11 Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I've seen USHL hockey, and I have a tough time believing that real Sioux fans would forego their UND hockey tickets if Fargo got a USHL team. There is a very definite difference in the quality of hockey. Even if the USHL had better quality hockey, I personally would not give up my Sioux tickets and I don't think many others would either. For the few lukewarm Sioux fans that would leave, there are others on the waiting list for Sioux hockey that will step in. It is repulsive for me to even consider a Sioux fan buying USHL season tickets rather than Sioux season tickets because they are cheaper and you get more home games. If a pseudo-Sioux fan did that, it would be a good thing for both sides as they would save money and we would get a more caring fan in the seat in The Ralph. The bigger concern (to some) would be the suites in a new facility, which could take away from the Fargodome. We have a suite @ the Ralph...I plan on keeping it for the rest of my life. We live in Fargo, I had someone come to our office a month ago to discuss the new suites at the new rink coming up here in Fargo. The suites look to be very nice, I know I plan on going in on one with some other people. Youth hockey is getting very big here, if Dean Blais was to coach a USHL team here I think it would work. With a beautiful new rink and a proven winner in Coach Blais, this could finally be something that will be successful in Fargo. Someone mentioned in another post that the facilities would make a big difference, I think that would probably be a bigger influence than getting one of the best hockey coaches in the United States. In case anyone hasn't noticed, we are a very spoiled society that likes to be comfortable when we watch our hockey. This weekend I was listening to Mike McFeeley on the radio. After convicting Toews, Oshie & Bina, he decided to weigh in on the new arena in Fargo. The man is completely negative on hockey in Fargo, wouldn't you think someone that is involved in sports would want to promote something that is good for the city of Fargo? I understand there has been a lot of failure with hockey here the past 10 years, but this seems to be a good plan. Good thing Mr. McFeeley is a sports writer and not a promoter of hockey. PS I was going to call into his show this weekend, but that would have been playing into his hand. I think I would have came unglued on what he said about the incident up at Judy's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sioux-per Villain Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I agree with this, with a couple of caveats. First, if there are local players on the USHL roster, that may have an effect on some people. Otherwise, the quality of the product and the entertainment value is not close. Recall that Fargo-Moorhead at one time had a USHL team coached by Scott Sandelin (the FM Bears) that failed, and later became the FM Ice Sharks that also failed. You can make a case that facilities had some effect on the failure, particularly the Ice Sharks who played in the Coliseum. However, most true Sioux fans prefer the D1 College game, particularly played at the level that it is played by the Sioux. Second, if the Sioux were to struggle, some may decide not to continue to make the trip from Fargo and decide to go to USHL games or high school games instead. As a Fargo resident, I definitely would NOT trade Sioux hockey for USHL hockey, but I would attend the games when the Sioux are on the road and not being televised. That being said, I think Fargo would have a pretty good casual fan base. Not sure those people are potential season ticket purchasers though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skateshattrick Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Not that it matters, but they were actually coached by Steve Johnson, who now coaches the Lincoln Stars, not by Scott Sandelin. You are correct. Scott Sandelin coached the FM Express of the old American Hockey Association, which also folded. That makes at least 3 failures with the top junior hockey leagues. Maybe it will be different this time, but even with a new facility, its going to be a tough sell in Fargo. There is just too much competition for the Friday and Saturday night dollar. Not only is there UND hockey, but there is NDSU and UND basketball, high school hockey (which is extremely popular in Moorhead and getting very popular in Fargo with South's recent success) and all of the youth activities. I wonder if F-M isn't better off with the Jets and the NAHL. It is still Junior A hockey, and its getting better. It is comparable to the AJHL and the SJHL, and a step ahead of the MJHL. The USHL and BCHL are a notch above as Tier 1 junior hockey leagues, but there are more kids getting D1 scholarships from the NAHL than ever as the USHL gets younger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightonsioux Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I can kind of see McFeely's point about hockey in Fargo. Especially since it has failed in the past. It would be no different then if someone was to say they were bringing a collegiate baseball team here to Grand Forks. We all know how well the Channel Cats and that other team I can't even think of right now went over in Grand Forks. When something fails like that over and over again it makes it hard to bring it back again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMT Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 You are correct. Scott Sandelin coached the FM Express of the old American Hockey Association, which also folded. That makes at least 3 failures with the top junior hockey leagues. Maybe it will be different this time, but even with a new facility, its going to be a tough sell in Fargo. There is just too much competition for the Friday and Saturday night dollar. Not only is there UND hockey, but there is NDSU and UND basketball, high school hockey (which is extremely popular in Moorhead and getting very popular in Fargo with South's recent success) and all of the youth activities. I wonder if F-M isn't better off with the Jets and the NAHL. It is still Junior A hockey, and its getting better. It is comparable to the AJHL and the SJHL, and a step ahead of the MJHL. The USHL and BCHL are a notch above as Tier 1 junior hockey leagues, but there are more kids getting D1 scholarships from the NAHL than ever as the USHL gets younger. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the FM Express a "semi-pro" team? If I remember right Scott Koberinski played for them and some former NDSU club players (back when they were good) as well. Not that it matters.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray77 Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I can kind of see McFeely's point about hockey in Fargo. Especially since it has failed in the past. It would be no different then if someone was to say they were bringing a collegiate baseball team here to Grand Forks. We all know how well the Channel Cats and that other team I can't even think of right now went over in Grand Forks. When something fails like that over and over again it makes it hard to bring it back again. I hear what you're saying and I see your point. One thing that I can say will be different about this go-round is that there seems to be more planning that has gone into this than earlier attempts. Gino and the rest of the USHL owners are not going to let "just any" team join the USHL. The USHL is a top flight league with teams owned by Mario Lemieux, Luc Robataille and the like. If they do bring in Dean Blais to run the ship for a few years and get the program started (until he gets back into college coaching), he will hopefully be able to get the team off to a great start here in Fargo. To clarify an earlier post that I made...I do not think that all Fargo residents that have Sioux season tickets will give them up for this USHL team. Especially posters on this site, who are the "die hard" fans. Certainly the first year or two there will be a feeling out process in the Fargo community, but I think with the new rink and a guy like Blais at the helm, this will take off...unlike the Bears in the Moorhead Sports Center and Ice Sharks playing in that sh*thole they call the John E. Carlson Coliseum. Seriously...Pee Wee's should be the absolute highest level of hockey played in that rink...and that's a stretch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottM Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Good thing Mr. McFeeley is a sports writer and not a promoter of hockey. I think you're being too kind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1siouxfan22 Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Way too kind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverman Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 playing in that sh*thole they call the John E. Carlson Coliseum. Seriously...Pee Wee's should be the absolute highest level of hockey played in that rink...and that's a stretch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobo Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Would this new privately owned facility compete with the Fargodome and proposed new arena addition for events (revenue) when it is not being used for hockey? From the City of Fargo view of the expansion, they are hoping to capture more of the small events that are not going to the Fargodome. If there is another player in town for those events, their cut of the pie may get smaller. Playmakers Pavilion in Fargo gets most of the smaller types of shows. I know more and more bands have been going to Playmakers to play so it will be interesting to see if the new arena can compete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siouxman Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 If they get that new arena built, that would be a major first step in NDSU getting a real hockey team. That would do more for NDSU than anything else their sports could do. Bemidji State has started getting national recognition the past few years. A successful USHL team might make it tougher for NDSU to get going. It would be tough to support two teams in town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacksonW Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 You are correct. Scott Sandelin coached the FM Express of the old American Hockey Association, which also folded. That makes at least 3 failures with the top junior hockey leagues. Maybe it will be different this time, but even with a new facility, its going to be a tough sell in Fargo. There is just too much competition for the Friday and Saturday night dollar. Not only is there UND hockey, but there is NDSU and UND basketball, high school hockey (which is extremely popular in Moorhead and getting very popular in Fargo with South's recent success) and all of the youth activities. I wonder if F-M isn't better off with the Jets and the NAHL. It is still Junior A hockey, and its getting better. It is comparable to the AJHL and the SJHL, and a step ahead of the MJHL. The USHL and BCHL are a notch above as Tier 1 junior hockey leagues, but there are more kids getting D1 scholarships from the NAHL than ever as the USHL gets younger. Not sure about the NAHL getting better over the years, they are using older kids, but most get walk-on offers to the schools in the WCHA,CCHA,HE, and ECAC. The scholarships are to the smaller D-1 schools for the most part. Many teams finances are shaky primarily due to poor attendance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UNDLeafsGuy Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 We have a suite @ the Ralph...I plan on keeping it for the rest of my life. We live in Fargo, I had someone come to our office a month ago to discuss the new suites at the new rink coming up here in Fargo. The suites look to be very nice, I know I plan on going in on one with some other people. Youth hockey is getting very big here, if Dean Blais was to coach a USHL team here I think it would work. With a beautiful new rink and a proven winner in Coach Blais, this could finally be something that will be successful in Fargo. Someone mentioned in another post that the facilities would make a big difference, I think that would probably be a bigger influence than getting one of the best hockey coaches in the United States. In case anyone hasn't noticed, we are a very spoiled society that likes to be comfortable when we watch our hockey. This weekend I was listening to Mike McFeeley on the radio. After convicting Toews, Oshie & Bina, he decided to weigh in on the new arena in Fargo. The man is completely negative on hockey in Fargo, wouldn't you think someone that is involved in sports would want to promote something that is good for the city of Fargo? I understand there has been a lot of failure with hockey here the past 10 years, but this seems to be a good plan. Good thing Mr. McFeeley is a sports writer and not a promoter of hockey. PS I was going to call into his show this weekend, but that would have been playing into his hand. I think I would have came unglued on what he said about the incident up at Judy's. I agree with your assessment of McFeely, anti UND hockey, anti Fargo hockey ..... Look at his background born in Minn, primary school in Minn, Secondary school in Minn, which leads me to my next thought ............ perhaps he is a goofer fan ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FightingSue Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 I agree with your assessment of McFeely, anti UND hockey, anti Fargo hockey ..... Look at his background born in Minn, primary school in Minn, Secondary school in Minn, which leads me to my next thought ............ perhaps he is a goofer fan ! McFeely is from MSUM so maybe he just doesn't like a school that has had some success in athletics. Honestly I think it's his job to stir things up a little. Most of his post are very bias and I haven't liked him as a journalist long before this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sioux-per-man Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 You build it and they will come. Fargo is long overdue for a hockey arena. I have no doubt that it will be successful venture. The hockey base in Fargo/West Fargo/Moorhead is huge, on the youth level. The only piece missing was a decent venue to play. We have 88 squirt teams coming to Fargo in two weeks for the Flyers Internation tournment, with this facility, tournaments will keep getting bigger and better. Will it take away from the Sioux, absolutely not!!!! Sioux hockey is the best game in the State. People will drive a 250 miles away to watch a home game at the Ralph. I couldn't be more excited to have Dean Blais coaching in Fargo. He will build a winning team, and people will always come out to watch a winner. Who knows maybe my kid will get a chance to play for him. What more could a guy ask for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proudsioux Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 i wonder how dean will like coaching with only 3500-4000 fans in the stands? Been a long time since he has doen that last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sappysieve Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 You build it and they will come. Fargo is long overdue for a hockey arena. I have no doubt that it will be successful venture. The hockey base in Fargo/West Fargo/Moorhead is huge, on the youth level. The only piece missing was a decent venue to play. We have 88 squirt teams coming to Fargo in two weeks for the Flyers Internation tournment, with this facility, tournaments will keep getting bigger and better. Will it take away from the Sioux, absolutely not!!!! Sioux hockey is the best game in the State. People will drive a 250 miles away to watch a home game at the Ralph. I couldn't be more excited to have Dean Blais coaching in Fargo. He will build a winning team, and people will always come out to watch a winner. Who knows maybe my kid will get a chance to play for him. What more could a guy ask for. I agree with what you are saying here. Fargo might not be a true hockey town, but hockey is popular there from what I've seen in the past. I remember going to an Ice Sharks game back in 2000 and that dumpy old arena was packed to the rafters. I think it'll work in Fargo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roper1313 Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 i wonder how dean will like coaching with only 3500-4000 fans in the stands? Been a long time since he has doen that last. At this point I think Dean could care less. He just want to get behind the bench and be able to develop players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roper1313 Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 More info in today's forum: Info on arena: http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm...mp;section=news Info on Blais: Dean Blais Reportedly on Board: http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=156674 Much more information will come next week. Presser is scheduled for Febrary 22nd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siouxman68 Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 By the time that arena is built and Fargo aquires a USHL team, Dean will be long gone to a college hockey program. His part in this thread is a waste of time. DG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray77 Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 By the time that arena is built and Fargo aquires a USHL team, Dean will be long gone to a college hockey program. His part in this thread is a waste of time. DG Well, since you say so, maybe we should just end this thread then. Thanks for that inside info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagies Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Dean Blais was on Hot Talk today with Scott Hennen. They covered a number of topics including the new USHL organization for Fargo, Hakstol and the coaching staff, and comments about the Gopher team that you might enjoy listening to. Click on the Hot Talk radio clip, and fast forward to about 2:34:20 for the Sioux/Gopher related stuff, and earlier to about 2:08:50 or so for the USHL stuff. The Sioux/Gopher stuff is definitely worth a listen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trunk Monkey Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Dean Blais was on Hot Talk today with Scott Hennen. They covered a number of topics including the new USHL organization for Fargo, Hakstol and the coaching staff, and comments about the Gopher team that you might enjoy listening to. Click on the Hot Talk radio clip, and fast forward to about 2:34:20 for the Sioux/Gopher related stuff, and earlier to about 2:08:50 or so for the USHL stuff. The Sioux/Gopher stuff is definitely worth a listen. :<img src=" border="0" alt="wink.gif" /> Cmon Daggies, PCM would have summarized... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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