It is now official. There has been much talk of this, but the league has finally released a statement to make it as official as can be.
Junior Blue Jackets Cease Operations
The United States Hockey League announced today that the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets have ceased operations for the 2008-09 season, ending the team's two-year run in Ohio's capitol city.
"Many people, from Tom Goebel and his ownership to others around the USHL worked tirelessly to find a location where this franchise could be a success. But with the timing and the lack of an adequate facility in potential new centers, it was decided that it was in everyone's best interests that the franchise cease operations," said USHL president Gino Gasparini.
The USHL Board of Governors approved the franchise going dark and also voted to transfer the returning veteran players on Ohio's protected list to the expansion Fargo Force. As a result, the expansion draft scheduled for May 13 has been cancelled. It is expected that 10-12 players will be a part of the transfer. Also with this agreement, Fargo will relinquish their picks in the first three rounds of the USHL Entry Draft, scheduled for May 14.
All players on the Ohio affiliate list will become free agents.
"As a league, we certainly appreciate the time, effort and hard work that Tom Goebel and his people put into making this team and the Columbus market a success. Unfortunately, without the support of the Columbus Blue Jackets we could not continue to have the team operate the way it was," said USHL board chairman Jim Kronschnabel. "The organization did a good job and put together a pretty good roster of talented players and we're happy that the ones that are returning to the USHL will have a home with Fargo."
The Junior Blue Jackets spent two seasons in Columbus, compiling a record of 39-68-13 and finishing in fifth place in the East Division each year. Their only playoff appearance came after the 2006-07 season, when they were eliminated in a four-game sweep by Cedar Rapids. Prior to their time in Ohio, the franchise skated as the Thunder Bay Flyers from 1984 to 2000.
With the expansion team entering in Fargo and the departure of Ohio, the USHL will remain a 12-team circuit for the 2008-09 season. The West Division will consist of Fargo, Lincoln, Nebraska, Omaha, Sioux City and Sioux Falls. The East Division will feature Cedar Rapids, Chicago, Des Moines, Green Bay, Indiana and Waterloo.
The USHL is America's only Tier I league and the premier path for developing players in America. The league has over 170 current players committed to Division I colleges and 19 players that have been selected in the NHL Draft. For more information on the USHL and its member teams, visit us on the web at www.ushl.com.
14 comments:
Well, a few thoughts.
* Instead of having to carve a "team", Blais get a corps of 12 (or so) players that already know each other. This could either be a plus or a minus, depending on how they are with each other. Blais knows what he's doing, I would think this will work out.
* No more odd number of teams next year. THANK GOD. The season is already too long. This will eliminate at least a week or two, not to mention eliminating a number of Tuesday and Wednesday games. Not a bad thing.
* The Ohio experiment clearly didn't work. While the NHL tie-in was nice, I guess, we (should) all know that this league works best where it is the top hockey option (GB, SC, SF, TRIC, WLO, CR, LIN) or has been well entrenched (DM, OMA). It struggles in the transition from pro hockey (IND, TPK, Tulsa) This league struggles/fails against much bigger competition like Ohio faced (CHI, STL, TWN CT, MAD). For future growth, the league needs to focus on either new markets (like Wausau, Wis.). Even those struggling IHL cities which are attractive geographically (Bloomington) are crapshots, I think.
* Yes, some teams will benefit from this - either not losing players or if they get their draft picks back (which I don't think they should.) However, let's face it, the Ohio situation needed to end. After that, I think the teams just had to deal with what was left.
* Thank you to those who decided to not to make a decision to place Ohio elsewhere without doing due dilligence, having the financials in place, etc. We don't another team to fail.
* Do I feel for the Ohio players who got "traded"? Hmmm, not really, no. C'mon, it couldn't have been any fun playing in front of no one in Ohio. Many players have loved getting out of there. They get to keep their teammates. They still have one of the longest bus rides, though. But, let's face it, one of the tradeoffs of the exposure, facilities and equipment provided in the league, however, is that you could be traded at any time. As a housing parent who's had a player come home and say he needs to be in another city the next day, I know how tough it is. But, all in all, for hockey, I'd see a trade to Fargo and Blais as an upgrade.
* Gee, I wonder what Green Bay's coach thinks of all of this. Oh, wait, that's right, we don't have one.
-gbpuckfan
When the Ohio franchise came into existence, many thought it was to allow the then GM of the Bluejackets, Doug MacLean a chance to have a place to play for his son, Clark, to play junior hockey. After MacLean was relieved of his GM duties, the franchise was an unwanted step child. In the first year, the team housed and practiced in Cleveland (correct me if I am wrong) and played in Columbus.
Now, the chance to play in front of 2-3 thousand fans per night, that has to be a good thing. Plus the league has a better travel alignment with the east and west based teams.
I would not worry about how these kids who are being "traded", feel about going to Fargo. Fargo has had junior hockey so I am guessing housing and support will be superior to what they have had the last 2 years.
Besides, all these kids want is a chance to play and get the exposure to NHL and College scouts.
hey gppuck fan, you posted that same memo on a few different blogs today, tell us how you really feel.
Nice thoughts GB. As for your last comment, are you getting worried that the draft is 3 days away and you guys are coachless?
This Fargo team's shortest bus trip of the season is 3 and a half hours to Sioux Falls, and that's a divisional opponent! I hope the fargo boys like long bus rides every weekend or every other weekend at least. Hope the Fargo franchise is saving up gas money as we speak.
To Sioux Falls: 3.5 hours
To Sioux City: 4.5 hours
To Omaha: 6 hours
To Lincoln: about 7 hours
To Des Moines: 7 hours
To Waterloo: 7 hours
To Cedar Rapids 8 hours
To Kearney: 8.5 hours
To Green Bay: 8.5 hours
To Chicago: 10 hours
To Indiana: 13 hours
What happens to guys drafted last year who haven't played yet? Do they go to Fargo automatically also, or is that just the returning players?
First, I don't know who reads what blog. Sorry if it bugs you.
Second, yes the lack of a coach has been worrisome, although an announcement may come today (Monday).
Third, Fargo and GB are tied for farthest closest road trip then, because it's 3.5 hours from us to Chicago. Des Moines is closer than Ohio, so we gain some time divisionally.
-gbpuckfan
The Ohio Draft picks that were traded will just be skipped, that is what happened with STL
"What happens to guys drafted last year who haven't played yet? Do they go to Fargo automatically also, or is that just the returning players?"
If they played enough games to be considered a vet (10 games) then they are included in the "trade"; otherwise, they are free to be picked again. Futures picks from last fall's draft are not included.
-fangers
I dont think all of ohio's players will make fargo's team just because i think blais wants his own guys. What are your guys thoughts???
I think you are right.
Each and every player will have to EARN a spot on the Fargo team. Blais has a pretty good eye for talent. My guess is he knows what type of player he is looking for. You'd better not think just because you are a vet that you will have a spot reserved for you. The Force is a new franchise and Blais will put his own "stamp" on it. Good luck to all!
Very disappointing to see a team leave this great league...
I really would have like to have seen the Ohio JBJ look at moving to one of the many other regional markets throughout the Great Plains that would have welcomed a USHL team with open arms (Especially in Minnesota, Kansas, or Missouri) instead of going dormant.
"Very disappointing to see a team leave this great league...
I really would have like to have seen the Ohio JBJ look at moving to one of the many other regional markets throughout the Great Plains that would have welcomed a USHL team with open arms (Especially in Minnesota, Kansas, or Missouri) instead of going dormant."
Where have you been the past two or three months? OJBJ folks been trying to move/sell the team for awhile now, if there was anyone interested from those parts you'd think they would have come forward...but none did. Neither Bloomington, Muskegon, Youngstown or Detroit worked...
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"I dont think all of ohio's players will make fargo's team just because i think blais wants his own guys. What are your guys thoughts???"
Agree, which is why many of those players likely would have preferred a dispersal draft...that way they would know the team picking them would at least have some interest in them....IMHO, the league didn't do right by these players...
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