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Drury18 · 12-01-2013, 12:23 AM

I don't hate the Billings option. I think they would work well because:

1) Close to Calgary (8 hour drive, 1 hour flight) so call-ups can make it to Calgary quickly if needed. And it's a much easier 8 hour drive (no Mountains I believe) to Billings then it is to Abbotsford so you could have more Flames fans heading down there for games.

2) There are a number of Engineering and Architect firms (i.e. $$$ Companies) with HQ in Billings as well as banks, oil/gas and auto companies with operations in Billings so corporate sponsorship or ownership should be easy to find. I think there's also a dozen breweries based out of or close to Billings. I can't imagine money or sponsorship would be an issue.

3) Largest media market in Montana is based out of Billings so there would be lots of media coverage for the team. It's primarily a basketball state, but I think hockey could catch on being Canada is pretty close and Washington State right next to them has a couple of WHL teams.

My only question would be where do they play. MetraPark? They don't seem to have a dedicated ice arena that would seat enough people. Centennial only seats 500 or so.

12-01-2013, 12:23 AM	#23
Drury18 Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Exp:	I don't hate the Billings option. I think they would work well because: 1) Close to Calgary (8 hour drive, 1 hour flight) so call-ups can make it to Calgary quickly if needed. And it's a much easier 8 hour drive (no Mountains I believe) to Billings then it is to Abbotsford so you could have more Flames fans heading down there for games. 2) There are a number of Engineering and Architect firms (i.e. $$$ Companies) with HQ in Billings as well as banks, oil/gas and auto companies with operations in Billings so corporate sponsorship or ownership should be easy to find. I think there's also a dozen breweries based out of or close to Billings. I can't imagine money or sponsorship would be an issue. 3) Largest media market in Montana is based out of Billings so there would be lots of media coverage for the team. It's primarily a basketball state, but I think hockey could catch on being Canada is pretty close and Washington State right next to them has a couple of WHL teams. My only question would be where do they play. MetraPark? They don't seem to have a dedicated ice arena that would seat enough people. Centennial only seats 500 or so. Last edited by Drury18; 12-01-2013 at 12:25 AM.