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Post by IceMan_M on Apr 27, 2024 12:27:41 GMT -5
Just saw on Innisfail's socials that they're hosting the 2025 Allan Cup.
Wonder if that's going to drum up some more interest for Western region teams!
Fingers crossed it brings out some more.
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Post by IceMan_M on Mar 5, 2024 10:54:29 GMT -5
I agree that it's kind of backwards if you really think about it, but without any additional funds contributed from HC, they need that year to get the funds together. Only other option off the top of my head (that I know would not be looked upon fondly) would be some sort of entrance fee into the AC that each participating team has, or even better, every AAA designated team puts forth at the BEGINNING of year to off set some travel costs for teams out of province. But they I feel would turn away more teams than it would lure.
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Post by IceMan_M on Feb 27, 2024 16:33:45 GMT -5
Love it. Would be super cool. A little East vs. West showcase.
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Post by IceMan_M on Feb 21, 2024 10:47:01 GMT -5
It would be interesting to see how the Chinook league does next season, I'm hearing Cremona is coming back, with the same ownership group (which is concerning as to how it played out last time) and the possibility of one more team joining, making it a 4 team league again. I had also heard early rumblings of a Calgary area team, but nothing concrete or for a while.
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Post by IceMan_M on Feb 6, 2024 11:06:46 GMT -5
If you look at how the US Sr hockey is being run - there is a TON of them blowing up Instagram, they run it like a "for profit" organization, lots of community support for sponsorships and mascots. They get great attendance, part in parcel to their locations (Vail, Breckenridge, and Jackson Hole come to mind) and have the communities involved. They also fly in teams from across the country to play - whether it be the NYPD, Boston Police, Chicago Misfits, etc.
They make it entertaining, they have the 2 fight rule so they get a few entertaining tilts a game (as much as some people don't like it, it draws crowd energy and engagement), and their Insta accounts get picked up by Spittin' Chiclets, Bardown, etc.
I'm using the teams in the west as they seem to get the most traction and attention, but from what I see, there is more and more of that happening.
I think there needs to be some rule changes made to make the Senior game more engaging, getting them out of the big markets like the GTA who you need to compete with 100 other options to spend your money for a night out with.
I don't know how you translate that to the Canadian market, but if it's being pulled off south of the boarder, why not up here?
Powell River played in Breckenridge the other weekend and they have Youtube streams going on of the games and announcers who either do it as a hobby or are just stepping into their broadcasting careers.
I don't see ANY of the Canadian games being streamed, other than the odd EOSHL game.
Out here in Alberta, I don't know where I'd be able to find ANY of the senior games online, other than maybe the one-off Facebook livestream.
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Post by IceMan_M on Nov 11, 2023 17:47:06 GMT -5
You can get NHL tickets for close to $55 in Canadian markets if it’s not a marquee matchup….
I still feel if you make it $5 and $5 beers, you’re gonna draw a crowd. I heard Cremona did a $10 ticket and a free beer for their home opener last year. That’s one way to bring in a crew
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Post by IceMan_M on Oct 23, 2023 9:45:10 GMT -5
Stony wins the first game 7-6 in Overtime.
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Post by IceMan_M on Oct 5, 2023 12:07:46 GMT -5
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Post by IceMan_M on Sept 14, 2023 12:31:36 GMT -5
Innisfail did play there a few seasons back, but that ended horribly with all the shenanigans.
I'd agree that Stony would have zero desire to go that far south.
I should say they were not accepted into the NCHL and like you said, have no desire to go to the RHL.
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Post by IceMan_M on Sept 13, 2023 13:51:56 GMT -5
Sounds like there's been some scrambling to put a league together in Alberta for AAA. Both teams we not accepted into NCHL or RHL.
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Post by IceMan_M on Sept 4, 2023 19:05:13 GMT -5
Cremona officially folded
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Post by IceMan_M on Aug 31, 2023 13:37:31 GMT -5
Can confirm that it doesn't look like Cremona is playing this year. The AG society was their last hope, and that hasn't transpired yet.
The prior GM has stepped away, and another one of the starters who was helping near the beginning of the year has also taken a step back from what I hear, so doesn't look like anyone is left to run it. They went through 3 different coaches during the season, heard there was conflict with lack of ability to coach how they wanted. Too much input from the GM, which forced the coaches to walk.
It's a shame, the Chinook was such a prestigious league at one point, but in recent years (pre-COVID), it just wasn't sustainable. Teams were dropping left and right, talent wasn't spread out evenly, which made games landslides sometimes. Maybe it's time to hold a draft like some of the senior leagues out east? Food for thought.
Either way, shame to see.
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Post by IceMan_M on Aug 28, 2023 16:57:59 GMT -5
By all accounts it's almost a certainty that Cremona is folding. Will have to see where the other two land, as I don't think the Ranchland will be too welcoming of any Eagles joining their league.
That being said, last season we heard rumblings of a team joining from the Calgary area (Tsuut'ina Nation at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex), as well as some other ones interested in getting in on the action. So I'm a bit surprised nothing has surfaced recently.
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Post by IceMan_M on Aug 26, 2023 12:12:41 GMT -5
Hearing out west that it could be a two-team league in the Chinook
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Post by IceMan_M on Jul 26, 2023 9:11:20 GMT -5
Speaking of - seems like all three are back for another season in the Chinook league.
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