Ohio

Who has the scoop on the new Ohio franchise? I hear that they sell very few tickets, that most of the tickets are essentially given away for free to NHL season ticket holders and others, and that the actual attendance at games is around 150. Any truth to this story?

Why don't you tell us? You seem to know a lot already.

they have a myspace page and they always post bulletins about having free tickets. From the experience another fan had out there for games earlier this season, the attendance numbers that pointstreak shows seems to be pretty accurate. I believe the NHL Blue Jackets season ticket holders had to pay a little extra this year because of the USHL team (they got season tickets to USHL with their purchase of NHL season tickets)

They live and practice in Cleveland. It has to suck having to travel however many miles for a HOME game.

if past teams have been any indication, Ohio won't be around after this season

That is too bad, they have some fine players.

BucsDM wrote:

if past teams have been any indication, Ohio won't be around after this season

An indication? Of what? The past is just that. It has no bearing on what's going on in Columbus this season.

Jrhockeyfan wrote:

BucsDM wrote: if past teams have been any indication, Ohio won't be around after this season An indication? Of what? The past is just that. It has no bearing on what's going on in Columbus this season.

From what I've heard, Columbus is planning on being around next year as well. I think they are even going to live in Columbus

I don't know that they would be around after that because Goebel would age out

So the Ohio team was started just to give a kid a place to play? I see he is negative seven at the moment.

OldHockman wrote:

So the Ohio team was started just to give a kid a place to play? I see he is negative seven at the moment.

That's basically the reason Ohio is around. The Chicago franchise is like that too.

Jrhockeyfan wrote:

BucsDM wrote: if past teams have been any indication, Ohio won't be around after this season An indication? Of what? The past is just that. It has no bearing on what's going on in Columbus this season.

Ohio averages 744 people...that will not be enough to keep the team there...just like Rochester, Dubuque, North Iowa, Twin Cities...etc...the next team up the ladder averages 2,336! If that isn't an indicator, I don't know what is!

BucsDM wrote:

Ohio averages 744 people...that will not be enough to keep the team there...just like Rochester, Dubuque, North Iowa, Twin Cities...etc...the next team up the ladder averages 2,336! If that isn't an indicator, I don't know what is!

It's NOT an indicator, so you don't know what is one, I guess.

Now, I don't claim to know exactly what Ohio's deal is with the league. In fact, I have no clue. But don't you think that it might be possible that they have a "deal" worked out with the league that negates their failing to meet attendance standards and the like? Are you not aware that it was a well known fact well before this season started, that Junior Blue Jackets players would not be billeting in Columbus this season? I am GUESSING that it is an understood, but privately know fact, that this is a throw away year for the franchise. Now, if there is no solid plan for a new building for the Junior Blue Jackets to play in fairly soon, then you might well be able to start playing the "What city will this franchise be in next year?" gamw at that point.

Until then, everything said about the stability of the franchise, including by me, is pure speculation. Predicting doom and gloom simply on what they are averaging at the gate this season more than likely has little, if any bearing of their long-term viability.

Does anyone know if Redmann is really playing that bad or is defense a major factor in his record. I always thought he was a very good goalie that benefitted big-time from a great defense while with the 'Nado. He is such a nice, good kid that I really hate to see things go bad for him.

Jtornado wrote:

Does anyone know if Redmann is really playing that bad or is defense a major factor in his record. I always thought he was a very good goalie that benefitted big-time from a great defense while with the 'Nado. He is such a nice, good kid that I really hate to see things go bad for him.

Ohio allows over 40 shots a game. That'll make it hard on any goaltender.

Shots per game could be defense or might not be. Some goaltenders give up big rebounds then end up with three or four shots. Other goaltenders in the same situation swallow the puck on the first shot. Cannot just look at the stats, need to see the player play the game.

OldHockman wrote:

Shots per game could be defense or might not be. Some goaltenders give up big rebounds then end up with three or four shots. Other goaltenders in the same situation swallow the puck on the first shot. Cannot just look at the stats, need to see the player play the game.

True.

But, remember, there is SOME legitimacy is the numbers. Ohio gives up an average of OVER 40 shots a game. The league low is around 26. A team giving up 40+ shots a night generally doesn't win a lot of games. Isn't doesn't mean that Ohio has bad goaltending. Remember, to get to the goaltender, an offense has to get past anywhere from 3 to 5 skaters first.

From what I'm hearing, Ohio goaltending is doing the best they can, but they need more help than what they're getting.

had a chance to catch Ohio play this weekend. Their forwards and defense were pretty much horrible, Derek Roehl, Eric Rex, Sean McCauley, and Tim Hall were the only ones who were worth a darn for the BJ's. Redmann and Palmisano are very good goalies, but they can't stop 40-60 shots a game. If Ohio can get their defense to not suck so much, their goalies may be able to steal a game down the road for them.

Sad that they are in the playoffs.

I was thinking that the attendance requirements were a USA Hockey requirement for Tier I, but I can't remember for sure. Anyone know if this is a league requirement or a USA Hockey requirement?

kevgraub wrote:

I was thinking that the attendance requirements were a USA Hockey requirement for Tier I, but I can't remember for sure. Anyone know if this is a league requirement or a USA Hockey requirement?

I thought when Topeka was in the league the magic number was 2000 a game.

Topeka Blade wrote:

kevgraub wrote: I was thinking that the attendance requirements were a USA Hockey requirement for Tier I, but I can't remember for sure. Anyone know if this is a league requirement or a USA Hockey requirement? I thought when Topeka was in the league the magic number was 2000 a game.

I think it's 1800 to have Tier 1 status, if I'm not mistaken. I'm just not totally sure how the league can afford to keep Ohio around any longer than this year.

Columbus Attendance

Essentially every ticket used for the games in Columbus were either part of the season ticket holders packgae or the tickets are given out at the local ice rinks for free. i.e. essentailly every ticket is a freebie.

The NHL rink is being used because no other rink in town has enough seats. The USHL was so eager to have a team with a close NHL affiliation that they even loaned the franchise to the Columbus group. That is, Columbus did not have to buy the team.

The team will remain at least one more year in Columbus as MacLean's kid has one more year of Junior eligilibty.