schedule

For kicks and giggles I was looking at the Bismark Bobcats schedule for the upcoming season and it left me perplexed. I noticed they will only play 4 different teams this year....4! North Iowa, Owatonna, Albert Lea and Alexadnria. Talk about boring! Imagine going to a home game and only be able to see 4 different teams all season. its good for rivalries but it sure doesnt do much for the league when all that is exposes is 4 teams. Cripes have the Bandits come up for at least one weekend, or the roadrunners, wenatchee or even marquette. Its not THAT far of a bus trip from thoes places. I just think the creativity of the scheduling is not creative at all....and frankly is just boring

Too true. There are several teams that (not counting the showcase) play very few games outside of there division.

The Avs play Kenai for 11 straight games!! I couldn't even imagine how old that would get.

There is a reason though. The league is planning on adding several teams next year thinking that each division would play (more or less) independent of the other divisions. I don't really like that idea, but its the one that makes the most sense financially.

Problem solved: Take control of the schedule out of the hands of the owners and even it up. If you cant afford the travel costs you shouldnt be an owner. The current ways does nothing to develop the players except provide ice time. Look at the WF/TT match ups over the years. We knew that when we played the TT 12 times a year we would get to see a brawl 12 times and get our asses handed to us, except for last year. Skills dont improve when you face the same teams over and over.

I was lead to believe the league did the schedule. Last year's schedule was way better and more exciting than this years same old same old.

I believe the owners must have a heavy hand in the schedule. It is just so obvious that if they dont have a hand in it the league is corrupt in how they come up with it.

Whats the point in having a "league" when teams dont play outside their own divisions? Why not just make 3 seperate leagues then? if they do this to minimize costs, then maybe its time to start shit canning teams that cant figure a way to have decent attendance and make it financially. Its stupid for the NAHL to have expansion teams in areas that wont draw dick. Motor city? When I played there were 4 detroit area teams, and combined the attendance average was less than 1,000. My prediction is that Motor City will average around 3-400 fans a game.

Well thats about what we are hoping to have. I must agree that our schedule is poor to say the least. Does nothing to promote the teams.
Reminds me of high school hockey. Yes, gas is expensive, yes the economy is down the tubes, but throw a bone out by playing other divisions teams once in a while. That's what you get when those in charge no nothing.

akbikerboy wrote:

The Avs play Kenai for 11 straight games!! I couldn't even imagine how old that would get.

holy cow... you may not have much of an attendance.

Wildcat Cowbell Ringer wrote:

akbikerboy wrote: The Avs play Kenai for 11 straight games!! I couldn't even imagine how old that would get. holy cow... you may not have much of an attendance.

Wow!

I do hope that we can count on Iowa and Owatonna fans coming to our home games being that we are so close and all.

I'd like to see a North division club once in a while. None of them came down here last year that I can remember outside of St Louis but yeah....

Yeah right! Not.

This schedule should reduce the number and frequency of scouts showing up at games. How often will they come to Owatonna to watch the same kids play over and over again. This schedule will reduce the broad exposure to scouts for all the kids around the league. Except for the Showcase.

Good points.

I also agree that this schedule will limit the number and frequency of scouts. However, looking at it from a business point of view and supplying a good quality product to the fans, (and in some cases to many teams with piss-poor attendance, the fan), its just a horrible schedule. The reality is, the NAHL and individual teams need to sell a better product to the communities that they are located in. High fan interest and good crowds will result in better recruitment, which in return will increase the caliber of play, thus attracting more scouts.

At least Springy has home/home with NI, Owat., Albert Lea and oes to NDTP outside the division...

Re: schedule

Keeper23 wrote:

For kicks and giggles I was looking at the Bismark Bobcats schedule for the upcoming season and it left me perplexed. I noticed they will only play 4 different teams this year....4! North Iowa, Owatonna, Albert Lea and Alexadnria. Talk about boring! Imagine going to a home game and only be able to see 4 different teams all season. its good for rivalries but it sure doesnt do much for the league when all that is exposes is 4 teams. Cripes have the Bandits come up for at least one weekend, or the roadrunners, wenatchee or even marquette. Its not THAT far of a bus trip from thoes places. I just think the creativity of the scheduling is not creative at all....and frankly is just boring

Maybe next year they can work you into that North West swing...

I found this article the other day, and thought it was kinda interesting related to scheduling.

http://www.theahl.com/news/league/index.html?article_id=7878

Wow...they started the schedule 6 months before the season started. With the look of the NAHL schedules, they couldve been started 6 days before the season