drummer4now Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 Winnipeg hockey fans await return of AHL franchise with open arms Jets brass won't reveal farm team's Winnipeg name yet Winnipeg will soon be home to two professional hockey teams, and hockey fans at the MTS Iceplex Thursday night said they await the Jets farm team with open arms. The Jets' American Hockey League affiliate, currently known as the St. John's IceCaps, will relocate from Newfoundland and Labrador to the Manitoba capital for the 2015-16 season. It will mark the return of theAHL to Winnipeg, which had the Manitoba Moose until True North Sports and Entertainment purchased the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers in 2011, moved the franchise north and renamed it the Jets. Hamilton Bulldogs moving to St. John's, IceCaps to Winnipeg The Moose moved to St. John's and were renamed the IceCaps. True North still owns the AHL team, which became the Jets' farm team. Winnipeggers happy about AHL return Brendan Arnold was happy to hear the news of the franchise’s return to Winnipeg. "I think it's pretty cool to have the Moose back,” said Arnold, referring to the IceCaps. “It will be nice to have another team in Winnipeg." Nick Doyle, who also fondly referred to the team by its old name, said he looks forward to watching to AHL hockey in person again. "I like the Moose and it's fun hockey to watch,” said Doyle. “I went to about 10-15 games each year." Dylan Stockl, who plays on the Winnipeg Warriors hockey team, said he thinks local sports fans always welcome more hockey. “I think it's good for the city,” he said. “I think our fans will be happy to have them back." Challenges, pros to having 2 pro teams There could at first be certain logistical challenges facing the MTS Centre with two pro teams sharing the same ice, but Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said it will all work out in the long run. "We're well equipped with the IcePlex facility being state of the art with respect to four ice sheets and the availability of practice time," said Cheveldayoff. "Utilizing the IcePlex with fuller capacity, we believe there's going to be a unique way that both teams' needs get served." The Jets GM said the organization is investing in infrastructure renewals and renovations to both the IcePlex and MTS Centre to accommodate both teams, and to help ensure that the AHL has a future in Winnipeg. "We're going to dig in and we're going to try and make this a home that lasts for a long time," said Cheveldayoff. "You're going to see some building going on that is going to cement the commitment for the short-term and hopefully for the long term." Allan Dreger said he thinks both teams stand to benefit from being in the same city. 'The more hockey, the more entertainment for the city — what a wonderful thing.'- Steve Gould Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 Heard about this earlier today. Great news for Winnipeg hockey fans who can't get tickets to the Jets due to demand. As an added bonus, fantastic to have prospects so close for management to see on a regular basis, allowing them call up quicker, and get prospects to become more familiar with the city a lot sooner, allowing them to build ties to the city at an earlier age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuonGO Canucks Go Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 I know it was hard before, but now with AHL expanding west Canucks should move theirs to northwest too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 I know it was hard before, but now with AHL expanding west Canucks should move theirs to northwest too. I'm not sure how geography works in your head, but Winnipeg is nowhere near the Northwest. And the teams that moved to the West are all in California so there is no 'North'. Or are you aware of some other team in the AHL in the Northwest? But for Winnipeg, I wonder if the fanbase will be strong enough long term. Just thinking demand-wise, with two major hockey teams in town and the population that is available to support them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BananaMash Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 They should bring back the Moose name and jerseys because they were beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Building Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 I came in to say good for them, and Canucks fans shouldn't bother getting any silly ideas about our farm team moving out to BC any time soon. Looks like I was too late. Leave successful Utica alone. About the Moose, True North owns the name so I see no reason why they wouldn't re-use it. Instant cache, not that they would need it, but from a marketing perspective it never hurts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Money Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 Oh, come on now. OF COURSE they're going to be called the Manitoba Moose. They tried this "we don't know what the team will be called" crap before, when everybody knew it had to be the Winnipeg Jets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avelanch Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 They should bring back the Moose name and jerseys because they were beautiful. they would be idiotic to not bring back the moose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BananaMash Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 they would be idiotic to not bring back the moose. I have a Cory Schneider jersey from when he was with the Moose and it is a work of art. It would be incredibly stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avelanch Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 I REALLY hope they go with these jerseys: I loved those ones. the green home, white away. so good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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