Wednesday, June 1, 2011

How are we going to stop the loss of NHL Teams in America?

First of all, I would like to give my best wishes to Mr. Bosman’s Boston Bruins; they are the last remaining American based team in the NHL Playoffs and a series win against the Vancouver Canucks will keep the Stanley Cup in The United States.
When the WHA and the NHL merged in 1979, (the last day of the Carter Administration) there were 6 Canadian based Hockey Teams and 15 American based Hockey teams. In short, 71% of all NHL teams were based in The United States. As an aside, the New York Islanders beat the Philadelphia Flyers for the Stanley Cup that year. Over the years, between the end of the Carter and the beginning of the Obama Administrations, the Quebec Nordiques moved to Colorado, The Winnipeg Jets moved to Phoenix, the Atlanta Flames moved to Calgary Alberta and Ottawa obtained a team. So at the beginning of the Obama Administration, there were 6 NHL teams based in Canada. Meanwhile, during this same time period, new NHL hockey teams such as the San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators and the Columbus Blue Jackets came out of the wood-work, to help expand the League to 30 Teams. In the 2007-08 NHL season, (the last season during the Bush years) 24 of the 30 NHL teams were based in the United States or 80% (up from 71%.) The Detroit Red Wings beat the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Stanley Cup that year.

The Atlanta Thrashers are set to move to Winnipeg from the 2011-12 NHL Season. To be sure 23 (77%) NHL teams will still be based in the United States. While it is true that America’s influence in the NHL is still greater now than during the end of the Carters years, it is a disturbing trend nevertheless especially with rumors of Phoenix either folding or moving.

It appears that Mr. Obama’s Socialistic policies are not helping our national interests within the NHL. While I realize that Hockey is not as popular in America as Baseball, Football or Basketball, this is still very disturbing. I am rather interested to hear how each of the GOP candidates plans to deal with this problem. I look forward to solutions to reverse this negative trend.

12 comments:

Noelle said...

I'm not really a hockey fan, but I know that hockey fans out there are VERY serious about it. Good luck to the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals. Sounds like they have a pretty arduous task in front of them.

Dave said...

OJ,

Do you think it has something to do with receipts?

You said yourself that Hockey isn't as possible. Maybe they are simply following the money and the interest.

Dave said...

(sorry having computer issues)

OJ,

Do you think it has something to do with receipts?

You said yourself that Hockey isn't as popular as football and baseball. Maybe they are simply following the money and the interest

Anonymous said...

Haha, good second post OJ. I like the tone you used in the entire piece with...never once stepping out of character to reveal the tongue-in-cheek quality of the writing. I actually thought Doug had written this and was pleasantly surprised to see your sense of humor displayed.

Good Job!!!

jerseyrepublican

Ohio JOE said...

Thanks Jersey!

"Maybe they are simply following the money and the interest." True, but if the Fed would not have encouraged inflation, more people could afford to see the games, haha.

BOSMAN said...

Great post OJ,

I took the liberty to add some art work. I figured that we were all behind the AMERICAN team now. You know, Mitt's favorite Boston Bruins.

Feel free to delete the art work if you like.

Unfortunately, I think Dave may be on to something.

Perhaps one of the Republican candidates may add hockey ticket subsidies to their platform?

Maybe Sarah if she gets in?

Ohio JOE said...

Thanks for the Bruin graphics Bosman. Yes, Mr. Romney knows how to pick Hockey teams. BTW, the Alaska Aces just beat Kalamazoo for the Kelly Cup.

I have a better idea than ticket subsidies. Keep taxes and regulations low. The economy would boom, the dollar might even strengthen and more people would have enough money in their pockets to see more games.

BOSMAN said...

Oj,

But why wouldn't America's HOCKEY MOM, take this task on?

It's right up her alley!

Ohio JOE said...

Yes, I believe she is up to taking this task on. I look forward to seeing how other candidates would take it on as well, haha.

Anonymous said...

77% of the teams in the NHL are from the United States, and only 22% of the players are American.
If Winnipeg wants to try and field an NHL team again then more power to them. I don't look at the NHL as USA vs the World. I don't count the number of Americans and Canadians on every roster. I love the way Vancouver plays hockey and that is why I will be rooting for them to win the Stanley Cup.

Reaganesque

Pablo said...

OJ,

I am glad to see you write here. I have a couple of questions.

1. RW says that it was tongue and cheek? Was this supposed to be satirical? If so, my dense self does not get it?

2. If it was not satirical, are you claiming that Obama's policies are the cause of NHL teams moving to Canada? Do you not think it mighy be because hockey is just not that popular here in America?

Ohio JOE said...

Yes Pablo, Jersey is correct, it is tongue and cheek. I would not say you are dense, you are just not into satire like some in both our camps.