Canada could support two new NHL teams: study

I don't know much about the situation in Quebec but Hamilton is going to be really messy. First it is too close to Toronto and would be, under league rules I believe, an intrusion on their territory. Secondly I believe that Buffalo (Pop.~300,000) is staying alive on fans from Southern ON and transfer payments. This would hurt them big time.

A reasonable location would be West of Waterloo Region so it could draw from the Region, London, Guelph and possibly Hamilton. The snag here is that there is no available NHL standard Arena.

This does add up population wise as Waterloo Region has more people than Hamilton with easy access to both Guelph (~125,000) and London (~400,000). Also the economy of Hamilton is not exactly vibrant.

In Ontario, London or K-W would be the more reasonable places to put a franchise, providing of course they could find a backer willing to build an arena.
K-W would be perfect. One hour from London, ~one hour from the GTA, 45 minutes or less from Hamilton.

Plus, it's only minutes away from major urban areas like Paris and Washington

As much as it pains me to say this...

Houston, TX, should get a team before Canada.

They have all the requirements, and have successfully supported the Houston Aeros (AHL). They average attendance to an AHL game not far off than some NHL teams...cough...Phoenix...cough.

And it could seriously pay off in the long run, for fan development in the down south.

I am all for having more NHL teams in Canada, but for the future of hockey, we need more sustainable teams South of the border, not more North of the border.

Yeah but I think the problem with Houston would be the same with Phoenix. Way too many pro, semi-pro and college teams already exist there. Although with 2 million more people in the metro area, Houston might be able to support another team. Either that or bring the Aeros into the NHL.
Either way, there's no reason Phoenix should move to QC even if they already had an arena. The east just doesn't need another team right now.
If and when Phoenix does move, I wouldn't be surprised to see them go to Seattle, provided a serious commitment was in place.
That would be good for Vancouver too. I think it would have the potential to create a really fun Vancouver/Seattle rivalry which would help to boost interest in a Seattle team.

Jim Balsillie (sp.), co- founder of Research in Motion, who tried to buy the Phoenix team, would have that kind of money. I have also heard that he owns a large piece of property near Ayr ON (midway between Cambridge and Paris) where it could be built. All considered a more or less perfect location.

Actually I don't think anything is going to happen in ON. I figure the NHL wants US franchises and I sense they may not like Balsillie. Given that US prospects are available I figure the status quo is set for quite awhile to come.

Actually for your $$ Major Junior is a much better deal.

Quebec City, yes. I was never a Nordiques fan, but the fan base is there and as passionate as ever. The Montreal-Quebec City rivalry was always intense.

Hamilton, no. That 'city' is a dead issue, and is too close to Toronto and Buffalo.
If anything, a hockey team out east would make more sense. Maybe Halifax, and/or
Moncton.

-J.

Only if it was accessable to the enitire maritimes. Othewise it's cuts your population base down drastically. That is one of the major concerns of the CFL and probably a reason that they haven't located a team there yet so, I imagine the NHL would have the same concerns.

My town is about a half hour ride by car to Moncton. I'd definitely pay to see an NHL team in Moncton or even Halifax. But the truth is lots in New Brunswick are Leafs fans or Habs fans and I feel like it's partly religion and partly language.

If hockey did what the Europeans did with their hockey leagues, and soccer and rugby, and had promotion and relegation, every city could have a professional hockey team. So I could go watch a fourth division Moncton team but also cheer for the Leafs or the Habs, depending on my preference.

I want more Canadian teams but I think it's so expensive to become an NHL club that it's no wonder that Phoenix can't support a team. Teams like that should be demoted not deleted.

Just my two cents, anyway.

There's a major push on in Seattle right now for a new NBA/NHL capable arena. A lot of people want another basketball franchise there to make up for when they lost the Supersonics. The other West coast NHL teams are doing well enough so Seattle should definitely be on the shortlist for one if the arena gets built. Agree on the immediate natural rivalry with Vancouver. The games ought to be fun-filled bloodbath.

nah....along with beer offer bongs.

Quebec City I could see happening for sure. It would be great to have the Nordiques back since Winnipeg has come back into the league. 2 teams that never should have left to begin with.

Seattle... hope that happens! That would be a fun rivalry for the Canucks.