Roaming The Rinks

We've decided to help arena roaming fans keep track of new arena opportunities, as well as those venues that may end up with new hockey tenants, or end up closing or vacant this upcoming season. We'll have a series of reports as the season gets closer, and this week we will continue our look at Tier 2 Junior A hockey in Canada and the U.S.  We'll break things down league-by-league and let you know what to expect for next season

OJHL:  Plus -  Markham Centennial Centre, Markham, ON     Markham Royals

             Minus - Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena, Hamilton, ON     Hamilton Red Wings

In the OJHL this year there is a single switch among arenas.  Hamilton moves to Markham, giving new life to the Centennial Centre, who last hosted the Markham Waxers.  Hamilton fans will get a new Allan Cup Hockey League Semi-pro team in place of the Red Wings. 

CCHL:  Status Quo

In Eastern Ontario things will remain the same this season, with a dozen teams taking the ice in the same locations as last season.

LHJQ: Plus - Centre Sportif Robert-Lebel, Chambly, QC     Chambly Forts

                         Buckingham Arena, Gatineau, QC     Gatineau Flames

              Minus- Kahnawake Sports Complex, Kahnawake, QC     Kahnawake Condors

                            Arena Pete Morin, Lachine, QC     Lachine Maroons

                            Stade L.P. Gaucher, St.-Hyacinthe, QC     St.-Hyacinthe Laureats

                            Thibault Sports Complex, Sherbrooke, QC     Sherbrooke Cougars  

Some changes in Quebec find a new team further west than in the past, with Lachine moving to Gatinuea to take the place of the Gatineau Mustangs of the EOJHL, who were elminated from that league when the Junior B circuit affiliated with the CCHL.  Kahnawake moves to Chambly, and Sherbrooke and St.-Hyacinthe head for the CEGEP collegiate league in Quebec.  The LHJQ will skate with 12 teams this season.

MHL:  Status Quo

In the Maritimes things will stay the same this season with 12 clubs again in action across the 3 Maritime Provinces.

Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston, PA will become a Tier 2 venue this season as the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights move from the Eastern Hockey League to the NAHL

NAHL:  Plus - Revolution Ice Centre, Pittston, PA     Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights

                         Middletown Ice World, Middletown, NJ     New Jersey Titans

                          IceWorks Skating Complex, Aston, PA     Aston Rebels

            Minus - Pullar Stadium, Sault Ste. Marie, MI     Soo Eagles

                           Perani Arena,  Flint, MI     Michigan Warriors

                           The Ice Mine, Connellsville, PA     Keystone Ice Miners

                           Town Toyota Center, Wenatchee, WA     Wenatche Wild

                           State Farm Arena, Hidalgo, TX   Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

On the U.S. Tier 2 scene there has been a bit of a shakeup,with the loss of 2 teams to their Canadian counterpart leagues (Soo and Wenatchee), and a movement east which finds the NAHL in Eastern, PA and New Jersey.  How crowds take to the Junior product in these areas that have pro teams close by will remain to be seen until the season starts, as Wilkes-Barre, Aston, and Middletown all has Tier 3 teams which flew under the radar as far as attracting large crowds go.  

Stay tuned to the Plus/Minus Arena Report as we will have reports from the Junior B, Semi-Pro, and College ranks before the season gets into full swing.