Poll Results: Where Should the Ontario Hockey League Expand?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tom_Samworth]Tom Samworth
In a recent poll, Ontario Hockey League fans were asked where they would like to see the Ontario Hockey League expand. Most potential centres in Ontario have already been tried in the past and have had their franchises shut down or moved. There are others that have the size but are a significant distance away. There are still others that go against the 'Ontario' in Ontario Hockey League and are located out of province.
Like the National Hockey League with Quebec and Winnipeg fighting to regain their franchises, this poll was led by North Bay, a city that had an OHL franchise from 1982 to 2002 before losing the club to Saginaw. The Centennials originally began as the St. Catherines Falcons in 1943, became the TeePees the Blackhawks before moving to Niagara Falls to play as one of the versions of the Niagara Falls Flyers.
Here are the results of the poll:
North Bay, Ontario - 21% - I have to agree. The North Bay / Sudbury rivalry needs to be restored.
Buffalo, New York - 13% - This one has been speculated about for years. It would be nice for the Erie Otters to have a close rival. The question is, are there enough fans on the Ontario side of the Niagara Peninsula to support the IceDogs, Buffalo Sabres and a new OHL franchise?? (sarcastic, but true...)
Thunder Bay, Ontario - 10% - The 'metropolis' of the north, Thunder Bay has the facilities and has hosted Junior A hockey before in the form of a USHL team. Of course, a team in Thunder Bay would bring a whole new level of travel for the OHL and could even usher in the need for chartered flights over the traditional bus ride.
Cornwall, Ontario - 10% - Tied with Thunder Bay, Cornwall has, of course, been in the Ontario Hockey League before. The Royals had a short but successful stint in the OHL before becoming the Sarnia Sting by way of the Newmarket Royals. Cornwall is such a great fit for the 401 corridor rivalry that starts in Oshawa and passes through Belleville and Kingston. Not to mention, being close to the nation's capital would also create a great rivalry with the   rel=nofollow [http://www.ohlalumnicentral.com/ottawa-67s/]Ottawa 67's.
Hamilton, Ontario - 9% - Thanks for the enthusiasm, Hamilton fans, but what makes anyone think that trying one more OHL franchise in the Steel City will be successful this time? If Hamilton does ever get another OHL franchise, though, I hope the resurrect the Fincups name!
Brantford, Ontario - 9% - They had the Alexanders. They had Bob Probert. They have a marginally adequate facility right beside a casino. Maybe. Just maybe.
Chatham, Ontario - 5% - I seem to remember a lot of talk, years ago, about putting a team in Chatham - Hunter brothers before they bought the Knights? I'd have to assume that the Memorial Arena's 2,500 capacity might be the problem.
Newmarket, Ontario - 5% - The Barrie Colts didn't exist when the Royals were in Newmarket. Wouldn't that be an awesome rivalry?
Toronto, Ontario (Ricoh Coliseum) - 4% - Let's be realistic. Who is willing to pay $20 to park for an OHL game?
Toledo, Ohio - 3% - Just thought I'd throw it out there...
Timmins, Ontario - 3% - Reaching Timmins after the long drive through nothingness from Sudbury is almost a surreal event for a first timer. No metropolis, but it is a bit of a shock to find 45,000 inhabitants in the middle of nowhere. With the main arena only seating 1400 or so, there would have to be some new digs. Still, you've got to think an OHL team would be the main attraction in this burg.
The poll was open to 'other' responses. There were the usual crazy responses like Atlanta, Georgia; Cold Lake, Alberta and Salt Lake City, Utah. Other responses were pretty good. Ajax, Ontario - Syracuse, New York - Niagara Falls (Ontario or New York wasn't specified) - Utica, New York and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Tom is the author of http://www.ohlalumnicentral.com/ (OHL Alumni Central). OHL Alumni Central is a daily updated blog featuring graduates of the Ontario Hockey League and their careers in professional hockey after leaving the OHL.
The centrepiece of ohlalumnicentral.com is the OHL Alumni Big List. The Big List is an on-going database of the whereabouts of all the active OHL grads.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Poll-Results:-Where-Should-the-Ontario-Hockey-League-Expand?&id=6430586] Poll Results: Where Should the Ontario Hockey League Expand?