Quote:
Originally Posted by nobles_point
After watching numerous AHL games this year, the quality of hockey played by "men" is immediately and noticeably better than junior hockey played by "teenagers". It's basically human physiology, but I think it is a matter of time before Saskatoon and/or Regina gets an AHL team.
Junior hockey has a long history in big cities, so it will be tough to leave, and probably not without a fight. Although substantial portions of salaries are covered by NHL teams, the challenge is competing with with junior hockey where salaries are next to nothing.
I just find it absurd that professional basketball has been attempted numerous times in Saskatchewan, but never professional hockey.
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Appearantly the Jets, and the Edmonton Oilers were both looking to place their respective AHL teams in Saskatoon. Unfortunately, the lease agreement with the arena proclaims that the Saskatoon Blades are the sole tenant, and that can only be broken, if an NHL team were to be moved to the area.
There was a "handshake" agreement between the AHL and the WHL years ago, that prevented each league from invading the other leagues territory. However, the AHL broke that agreement by placing a team in the BC Lower mainland (Abbotsford Heat), when the WHL had granted an expansion team to Chiliwack.