Bellville losing hockey franchise..

[stevieray]

Wow, just found this out watching the evening news..

Bellville is losing they`re beloved hockey team, the Bellville Bulls. Yes, it doesn`t get any more Canadian than this folks!!! Apparently, the franchise has been sold to Hamilton. As of next season, they will now be known as the `Hamilton Bull Dogs`. OMG!! Even though I`m from Kingston, (Bellville`s arch rivals), my thoughts and prayers go out to them. Terrible news indeed...

 

[cb123]

So the Jets move their farm team from St. John's to Winnipeg.

The Habs move the Bulldogs to St. John's, and thus Belleville moves to Hamilton.

 

[Aardvark154]

So the Jets move their farm team from St. John's to Winnipeg.

The Habs move the Bulldogs to St. John's, and thus Belleville moves to Hamilton.

That makes sense but it still stinks!

 

[spankingman]

The Bulls will adopting the name of the Montreal AHL farm team Hamilton Bulldogs that are now moving to Nfld. where they keep losing and getting back teams.

Toronto should have put the Marlies in Hamilton This area is LEAF country NOT Habs country. Only time Hamilton sold out the lower bowl approx 9-10.0000 seats was when the Marlies came to town!

Hamilton has a history of not supporting Jr. hockey over the last 30 years. Fincups,Dukes,Steelhawks all left to go somewhere else. BTW I live in Hamilton.

 

[DanJ]

Andlauer, who also owns the AHL team and is part of the Habs ownership group, is supposedly looking at building a more suitable OHL size arena in Hamilton. He has a couple years left on the lease at Copps (sorry, don't know it's new corporate name). I think in a proper building, junior will work in Hamilton, and build a nice rivalry with Niagara.

 

[surferboy]

Strange i gotta go to Belleville next week for biz & i haven't spent anytime there in almost 20yrs since my Jr A days.I might have to climb in the box for old time sakes lol

 

[saxon]

Andlauer, who also owns the AHL team and is part of the Habs ownership group, is supposedly looking at building a more suitable OHL size arena in Hamilton. He has a couple years left on the lease at Copps (sorry, don't know it's new corporate name). I think in a proper building, junior will work in Hamilton, and build a nice rivalry with Niagara.

Andlauer has sold the AHL Bulldogs to Montreal and bought the Belleville Bulls and is moving them to First Ontario Centre. The Canadians will keep their farm team in St. John's for two seasons and then move them to Laval Quebec where they are building a 10,000 seat arena. I have worked at First Ontario Centre (formerly Copps Coliseum) for over 20 yrs and we saw this coming several weeks ago.

 

[SkyRider]

Wonder if Cobourg will lose their Junior A team because of the sex scandal?

 

[Ironhead]

I guess the ownership group wanted out. Anyone know how Belleville's attendance was ?
Maybe Cobourg Cougars(have not heard of the sex scandal) will move in.

The OHL should have expanded by two. Put one in Hamilton and the other in New York state.

 

[elwoodinontario]

I guess the ownership group wanted out. Anyone know how Belleville's attendance was ?
Maybe Cobourg Cougars(have not heard of the sex scandal) will move in.

The OHL should have expanded by two. Put one in Hamilton and the other in New York state.

The Bulls moving has nothing to do with attendance. The city of Belleville wasn't willing to negotiate for a new/refurbished arena. Home arenas are a big issue with recruiting players, swaying them away from the NCAA.

My heart goes out to the Bulls fans. I was crushed when the Battalion left Brampton for North Bay.

 

[DanJ]

My heart goes out to the Bulls fans. I was crushed when the Battalion left Brampton for North Bay.

So you're that guy lol.

It's amazing how big a business the OHL has become. The Plymouth Whalers are also moving next season to Flint Michigan as well.

 

[spankingman]

Erie Otters are moving as well I believe.

 

[saxon]

I guess the ownership group wanted out. Anyone know how Belleville's attendance was ?
Maybe Cobourg Cougars(have not heard of the sex scandal) will move in.

The OHL should have expanded by two. Put one in Hamilton and the other in New York state.

Belleville had the lowest attendance in the OHL.

 

[Ironhead]

The Bulls moving has nothing to do with attendance. The city of Belleville wasn't willing to negotiate for a new/refurbished arena. Home arenas are a big issue with recruiting players, swaying them away from the NCAA.

My heart goes out to the Bulls fans. I was crushed when the Battalion left Brampton for North Bay.

Belleville had the lowest attendance in the OHL.

I bet it has a lot to do with attendance.
And not to trivialize what Elwood posted, arena issues were likely a factor.

Now I have visited Belleville a couple times and North Bay many times and I would much rather play in Belleville.

 

[whitewaterguy]

I've watched a few Bulls games. Attendance is pathetic..and the OHL was insisting on a new arena or upgrades..to what....??....attract more spectators?. No way that would happen. I saw nothing what so ever wrong with the arena in terms of optimally facilitating a game of hockey or meeting the needs of the crowd. Same old story..corporate fraudsters much like Walmart, trying to hold a town and taxpayers at ransome.. It's Maybe best if not sad, that they are gone.

 

[SkyRider]

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/201...s-allegedly-subject-of-sex-assault-probe.html

Hockey players behaving badly.

 

[DanJ]

Erie Otters are moving as well I believe.

That was 2013's rumour, that they were going to Hamilton. They have signed a lease in Erie until spring of 2019.

 

[elwoodinontario]

So you're that guy lol.

It's amazing how big a business the OHL has become. The Plymouth Whalers are also moving next season to Flint Michigan as well.

Yeah, I'm that guy.

I found a new home, rooting on the Brampton Beast, in the ECHL. Good hockey, fair prices. Come see for yourself!

The Whalers are a different scenario. The Compuware Arena in Plymouth was purchased by USA Hockey, to be the new home for the USNDP. I hope Flint works for them.