Thursday
Apr212011

Saying Goodbye

Wednesday night brought a couple of possible "last times" in the NHL.

For example, with the Red Wings' sweep of the Phoenix Coyotes, it could turn out to be the last time fans gathered to watch an NHL game in Glendale, Ariz. Rumors have run rampant that any deal to keep the team in the desert has dried up (I intended that pun) — paving the way for a relocation back to frosty Winnipeg.

Those pesky rumors also suggest that such an announcement would be imminent as soon as the club's playoff run ended — which it has, in rather short order. It could be today (Thursday) or even as soon as tomorrow. On one hand I'm hoping they don't move because I can only imagine the devastation for the few hardcore Coyotes fans. But then again, I'd be fascinated to see another rebranding this offseason — and thrilled to see Canadians getting one of their teams back.

Another last time: If the Tampa Bay Lightning don't turn things around in their series against the Penguins, Wednesday night could prove to be their last time wearing black jerseys for the foreseeable future. Icethetics readers are well aware of the rebranding efforts unveiled in January, which eliminated the black from the team's identity

Imagine if the Bolts were to win the Cup wearing black (again). It would make it a lot harder to see them completely lose that color scheme in the following season. But if they keep playing the way they have been, that won't be an issue. They face elimination in Game 5 first thing Saturday in Pittsburgh.

One more thing hockey fans are saying goodbye to are the WHL's Chilliwack Bruins. It's official. They played their final game on April 2 in a 6-4 loss to the Spokane Chiefs.

At a media conference today, the league announced the sale and relocation of the club to Victoria, B.C. The ECHL's Victoria Salmon Kings are expected to be sold or folded, according to the Times-Colonist. Either way, it boils down to two groups of fans losing their teams.

Chilliwack Bruins third jersey / BruinsA website has already launched — www.vicwhl.com — for the Victoria franchise. By the way, the Chilliwack Bruins' website has been wiped from cyberspace and you'll find no reference to the team on the WHL's website. It's kind of annoying, actually. But I digress.

Currently, the new owners of Victoria's WHL team are holding a poll on their website asking fans what name they prefer for the team. The choices are Victoria Capitals, Dragons, Force, Royals, Tide and Thunder. (They do not offer a "none of the above" option. But Royals would probably be for the best.)

My guess is that poll couldn't matter less. The jerseys are probably already headed into production along with a load of knick-knacks with the new name and logo — whatever that may be. Though it could just be my cynical side saying that.

What else are we saying goodbye to in 2011?

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Reader Comments (20)

as a Victorian I couldn't be more happy with the switch. WHL is just so much better than ECHL, and we get to see future NHLers.

With that said, the team names aren't very good at all and I'm skeptical about the jerseys (though the Salmon Kings unis were nice)

Apr 21 · 7:19 AM PDT | Unregistered CommenterColin

I personally think they should just expand to 32 NHL teams and have 4 Eastern Canada teams and 4 Western Canada teams. You could have 2 all-Canadian divisions with that format.The alternative is pushing Vancouver to the Pacific Division and isolating them from their Canadian rivals. Though, understandably, money is more important than sound divisional structure, so I get that.

Apr 21 · 11:23 AM PDT | Unregistered CommenterTorontoSharksFan

TorontoSharksFan:

With so many teams in trouble at the moment, the NHL couldn't afford to expand to a 32 team league. Even if the other two teams are in Winnipeg and Hamilton or Quebec. Plus, if the NHL did expand to 32 teams, with Bettman in charge, Kansas City and Las Vegas would likely get top pick of a team over Winnipeg. Its not really a viable option.

That being said, I'm not convinced the Coyotes are moving back to Winnipeg. I won't believe it until a team wearing blue, white, and red has taken the ice in the arena at 300 Portage Avenue.

I'd also love to see a team swap between the Victoria Salmon Kings and Chilliwack Bruins. This way Chilliwack gets its an ECHL team for its troubles.

Apr 21 · 12:28 PM PDT | Unregistered CommenterDavid

There's a rumor going around that the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs might be moving from the CHL to the SPHL. While nothing is confirmed, the owner has indicated that the move would be made in an effort to save money. I know it's really not a goodbye, but it would be a departure from the type of hockey Mudbugs fans are used to.

Apr 21 · 1:32 PM PDT | Unregistered CommenterDrewski

The Force? Would they have Star Wars themed jerseys? What a horrible name that would be.

Apr 21 · 2:14 PM PDT | Unregistered CommenterMatt

I've said it before, I think. If Phoenix moves to Winnipeg, likely given the Goldwater Institute's stance on the conditions of sale, they will move to the Northwest Division, with Colorado taking their place. It would be four Canadian teams in the same division for the first time since 1993.

Apr 21 · 3:23 PM PDT | Unregistered Commenterjrzman

When I saw the title I thought you were ending the blog. Don't scare me like that Chris!

Apr 21 · 5:36 PM PDT | Unregistered Commenter_Justink

I'm from Victoria, it really seems like we always get the short end of the stick when it comes to team names. Capitals or Dragons IMO. Not much better than the rest of those names though.

Apr 21 · 8:38 PM PDT | Unregistered CommenterJake

I love all the people saying they hope the Coyotes don't move because of the fans. In an ideal world, sure, but you guys do know there are still a ton of Jets fans in Winnipeg, right? They not only had their team moved on them (with no resistance from the league) they've been strung along for years with constant rumours about them coming back.

Sorry for being the bad guys in this situation, I guess. We only lost our team a while back too.

Apr 21 · 8:45 PM PDT | Unregistered CommenterPB

I'm pumped for the WHL coming to the Island! I've been wishing for that for years! And I agree, Royals would be for the best. Force? Tide? Say what?

Apr 22 · 12:58 AM PDT | Unregistered CommenterSpencer

Manitoba Moose - better colors, better logo, better jersey! True North would own both the Jets and the Moose. The arena is already midnight green and copper. Much better marketing if they move the Moose name and color scheme to the NHL. Honestly, the Jets logo is not very good. Anybody else think agree?

Apr 22 · 8:38 AM PDT | Unregistered CommenterDB

Sad to hear that they just wiped the Chiliwack Bruins from existence. Glad I got a jersey a couple years back when all the pre-RBK ones went on sale. One of my favorite WHL jerseys too.

Apr 22 · 9:47 AM PDT | Unregistered CommenterFranco

@DB - ummm, no.

Apr 22 · 11:52 AM PDT | Unregistered CommenterJ Wooley

totally disagree about the manitoba moose. winnipeg doesn't have to keep the old jets logo but they absolutely have to keep the jets name!! it's just too classic to give up and the last thing the nhl needs is another teamed named after a "scary animal"

Apr 22 · 12:33 PM PDT | Unregistered Commenterph

Winnipeg Jets... it needs to be Winnipeg Jets.

Apr 22 · 3:04 PM PDT | Unregistered CommenterG-Man

I totally agree, the name should be the Jets. And please go back to the original uni's.

Apr 22 · 3:47 PM PDT | Unregistered CommenterKelly

Winnipeger, all my life, and seriously, the Jets was a terrible name and logo, and is only considered "classic" because it doesn't exist anymore. The history behind the name is based off of how we were supposed to be the Northern Hub of North America, Canada's Chicago, big plane hot spot. Well....that turned out well. The team is dead and gone, MOVE ON PEOPLE!

Apr 22 · 11:59 PM PDT | Unregistered CommenterIan K

The Victoria Tide? If that's the case, at least they'll have a good, clean corporate sponsor!

Apr 23 · 8:02 AM PDT | Unregistered CommenterJD

The Victoria team should keep use maroon jerseys with gold accents like that Bruins' third sweater and call them the Royals. That's a great colour combo.

Every other name they suggested is ridiculous. I would have liked to see them use a nautically or timber industry themed name.

Apr 24 · 12:28 PM PDT | Unregistered Commenterel

Fifteen years ago to the day that the Jets played their last game. Perhaps the new anniversary to remember will be April 20.

Apr 28 · 6:39 PM PDT | Unregistered CommenterTed

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