Burke sounds off on HEAT

[Bingo]

http://www2.canada.com/abbotsfordtim...1-0276b20092c2

good publicity as the writer points out

[Resolute 14]

Despite all of his incoherent rambling, Burke is very clearly scared of the impact the Heat would have on the Bruins. If he was confident in Chilliwack's ability to sustain the WHL, he wouldn't be so flustered by the move.

That said, I have no clue what he is complaining about. If Swift Current, Cranbrook, and Moose Jaw can make a go of it, Chilliwack - with a city population equal to those three cities combined, certainly can. If the Bruins fail, I'd look to the ownership for the reason, and that includes Burke.

[MelBridgeman]

It's time for the lower mainland to show that they are a hockey area..I agree with above I see no reason why both teams cannot survive

[Orv]

Suck it up, buttercup.

[Eddie Bronze]

I think in some respects this goes beyond the Flames putting a team near one he is involved with. I know he wanted and tried to get a western-based AHL team when he was the GM in Anaheim. He wasn't happy about it as you can imagine. He was told that if they could establish a western division, it could become a possibility. So for him to now see a team so far west, be it Canada or the States it doesn't matter, I'm sure it sticks in his craw pretty bad.

[C.F]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

It's time for the lower mainland to show that they are a hockey area..I agree with above I see no reason why both teams cannot survive

LOL. The lower mainland doesn't need to show you anything. Like every else in Canada, it is a hockey area. It's not debatable.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by C.F

LOL. The lower mainland doesn't need to show you anything. Like every else in Canada, it is a hockey area. It's not debatable.

I don't think every where else in Canada is a hockey area. Case in point the Marlies struggle in the shadow of the Leafs. Toronto is a Leafs area not a hockey area.

[C.F]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

I don't think every where else in Canada is a hockey area. Case in point the Marlies struggle in the shadow of the Leafs. Toronto is a Leafs area not a hockey area.

There's a heck of a lot more to being a hockey area than support for an AHL team. Again, having lived in the Fraser Valley my entire life, I think it's obvious that the Fraser Valley is a hockey market for the simple fact that almost everyone either has an interest in hockey, plays hockey, or has played hockey in the past.

I think it's also worth mentioning that the Giants are one of the best supported franchises in the CHL.

[coldraptors]

Fans are loving it!!! Thanks for the publicity Mr Burke

Link

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by C.F

There's a heck of a lot more to being a hockey area than support for an AHL team. Again, having lived in the Fraser Valley my entire life, I think it's obvious that the Fraser Valley is a hockey market for the simple fact that almost everyone either has an interest in hockey, plays hockey, or has played hockey in the past.

I think it's also worth mentioning that the Giants are one of the best supported franchises in the CHL.

If it truly is this great hockey area that you say it is, I'm sure people can get over who the Heat are the farm team of. You seem to think that it won't be fully realized because of the association with the Flames. I say if you are right and it is a pure hockey market, the fact that its Mikeal Backlund and not Cody Hodgson won't matter.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by coldraptors

Fans are loving it!!! Thanks for the publicity Mr Burke

Link

That's fantastic to see the throngs of excited Abbotsfordians!