Rock Maple
Was it a mistake to move from St John's Maple Leafs?
The team has attracted a fairly large crowd on the Rock but soon play before a crowd TINY Toronto …. even in the playoffs. Did the savings in travel to justify the move financially? Just a few details to add – the team sold out every game at St Johns – 6200 fans. The Fog Devils have only begun because the Leafs have left the city and build the new arena because of threats Leafs first.
Not only savings of $ Travel wise, but the CAP wise as a team in the same city can more easily move players back and forth, the savings on the hits of the CAP. That said, I agree. I do not know to what extent they were drawing in St.Johns but they have great fans and it's my guess that the Fog Devils have something to do with the decision as well. Probably 2 difficult to maintain markets in what I suppose is a great rink. In Halifax (a fan base bigger) we did not AHL but the Mooseheads (QMJHL) seem to draw better anyway. I suppose this is not much different there either because it seems we have a large population of newfs anyway. I am a Philly fan and they also have their AHL team up the street (literally). It is convenient and cost savings, but you a good point about "market expansion". A boy living in St.John 's (moved Cape Breton) has appointed Gary Greasy is a stain on local radio here every morning and I know he loves the Leafs and Leafs have the baby, but the Fog Devils "pure" anyway atleast hockey these guys have not been ruined by the millions yet. Grassroots hockey if you want. Once they start playing better hockey and produce some recognizable players, people will start to benefit as much as the AHL, if not more. Halifax has produced guys like Tanguay and Giguere and he is talking about their Players (Voracek) would go 1st overall this year. Many other guys too.