Tuesday, March 25, 2008

USHL Expansion Rumors

I've been meaning to post this for a few days, but am just now getting to it.


Just recently, the was some turmoil in Bloomington, Illinois with the IHL team. They owed lots of money and the USHL was knocking on the door, trying to get into that market. The PrairieThunder blew through a few deadlines for getting the money paid off, but eventually, the team's lawyers ponied up the money and the PT will stay in the IHL, shutting out the USHL in the Bloomington market....for now.

There has also been a rumor floating around about Ohio being sold to a group in Youngstown, Ohio. That seems to have cooled off, and Youngstown would be a bad idea for the USHL, in my opinion.

The newest rumor seems to be that of the USHL possibly opening up in Muskegon, Michigan. Now this one is a little interesting. Tony Lisman, who was the previous owner of the Bloomington PrairieThunder that racked up quite the debt, runs the arena in Muskegon. It's been talked about that Lisman has been in talks about bringing a USHL team in to replace the IHL's Muskegon Fury franchise. This seems to have some legs, though most stuff is just speculation at this point.

I think it'd be great to get a USHL team in Michigan, though I don't think Muskegon is the right place. They have had pro hockey for many many years, and I have a feeling most would not take too kindly to the USHL.

There isn't much more known than that, but I will try to keep up with anything that changes along the way.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

What about the texas tornado. I heard that they are loaded with money and draw a couple thousand fans each night making them a strong canadate to jump from the nahl to the ushl.

Ryan said...

I've heard that over and over and over, but I've been told it's really really unlikely Texas will ever join the USHL.

Anonymous said...

they dont draw more than 1500 anymore

Anonymous said...

The USHL doesn't want Texas.

Wausau will be great.

The USHL has generally struggled following pro teams (ie Topeka), but maybe Muskegon would work.

Despite that factor, I've always thought Bloomington would be good.

-gbpuckfan

Anonymous said...

I would like Bloomington too. We go through there on two or three seperate trips a years and quite frankly, I just don't think the facility in Bensenville is a credit to the USHL in any way, shape or form.

Anonymous said...

Muskegons in

John Meissner said...

Yes, Muskegon's in....Michigan. Now, you wanna tell us what you actually mean?