Jim’s Not Being Sillie

I have read once again that there are rumors of a team being moved from the Southern States to Southern Ontario. Good or Bad? Is he going to buy season tickets? What am I in for?

There are a few things that worry me about this move and a few that excite me. I am excited for a new team to cheer for that may actually do something on a consistent basis. I love the Leafs, at least I have for the past seven and a half years, but if I have noticed anything about them it has been their inconsistency. One minute they’re up the next they are playing golf with the Senators, and loving it. Moving a team to Hamilton would be a chance for a hockey infused city to get behind a new team other than the Bulldogs. And, they would get behind another team as well.

After going to school in Hamilton all year I have really seen how big the city is and that it can handle some more publicity. A new team could also bring better transportation into the city. As of right now there is a GO train that goes as far as Burlington and then you have to transfer to a bus to get into the Hamilton Downtown core. Go transit would see an increase in travel to Hamilton if the team were to go ahead as planned and hopefully therefore build the train line into Hamilton. These are all good things.

The fans of hockey in the Southern Ontario region need something new to cheer for. Sure, the Toronto FC came, and the Raptors do alright but hockey in Toronto is something completely different. It brings out a whole different level of fans and those fans (who have been shunned to the nose bleeds in the ACC) need a chance to be front and centre. They are begging to do so.

My worries consist of money. Can the economy and the businesses of late handle a whole new franchise? Never mind that fact, can the people of Southern Ontario afford to attend these games if they do happen? Going to a Leaf game these days requires a new job bringing in a new paycheck, and that’s for 2 people. These financial concerns are something that needs to be crossed when and if this actually happens. Just ask the Hamilton Predators. (Scott was a season ticket holder. Hahaha.) Again, this is a part of the what if game.

There is one thing I need to bring to the attention of the NHL Board of Governors. If Jim Balsillie can create one of the most popular cell phones and he WANTS to bail out a team for you and he WANTS to bring it to a new market and make MORE money and awareness for the National Hockey League, LET HIM. What have you got to lose?

Nothing.

To make your voice heard and to agree with me go to his site makeitseven.ca

For OpenIceHockey.com, I’m Heather Smith