NHL Dreams

One step closer?

City Hall's NHL subcommittee meets today and nobody knows what's going to happen. Will sparks fly as Councillor Terry Whitehead and Mayor Fred Eisenberger jockey to be the point man on the Coyotes file?

There's pressure on the city to sort out the Copps Coliseum lease. Jim Balsillie needs that in place as the Coyotes and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman face off in bankruptcy court.

Canadians believe it's time this country deserves another NHL franchise. The flight of the Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets still smarts after all these years. But a poll says they're not sure Jim Balsillie is the man to bring it home. Read that story here.

Steve Milton writes that opposition to a Hamilton franchise is softening among some NHL owners. Funny what a financial implosion among teams south of the border will do.

And what about the Bulldogs? Hamilton's AHL franchise is certain to get kicked out of Copps if the NHL comes to town. Owner Michael Andlauer accepts that. But he's not so happy that City Hall hasn't talked to him about the team that has brought Hamilton its only professional championship in many years.

Keeping track of this story can be tough. Follow the details so far here.

Hortons guru Ron Joyce doubts a team in Hamilton would flourish. We asked an academic specializing in sports management what he thinks.

The Coyotes aren't the only team with money woes. As this drama unfolds in Phoenix, The Star's Kevin McGrann writes about the Dallas situation.

But don't assume the story in Phoenix is done. There's a move afoot among fans to keep the team in place.

Morning round up

A Spectator story this morning says Hamilton mayor Fred Eisenberger says he expects to have a deal in place with the Balsillie group sometime this week, while Tim Hortons magnate Ron Joyce, who tried to bring an NHL team to Hamilton in 1990, says he's not optimistic a team can survive in Hamilton. Columnist Andrew Dreschel says the Bettman and Balsillie battle isn't the only one going - the mayor and a councillor have a pretty good one going too.

The Star's Kevin McGran is reporting that it's the NHL's position that Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes gave up control of the franchise in exchange for $38 million to keep the team afloat in November.

Garth Woosley at the Star says the battle over the Coyotes has an us versus them feel to it while the Globe's Bruce Dowbiggen says markets like Phoenix are part of the NHL strategy to grow the game's revenues.

Cox on Hamilton situation

Damien Cox of the Toronto Star has a column today on how Hamilton has been used and abused by NHL suitors over the years. The reference he makes to Ron Joyce's skepticism can be found in a National Post story here.

Balsillie on HNIC

Jim Balsillie was interviewed on Hockey Night in Canada before last night's Pens/Caps playoff game. The CBC story coming out of the interview can be found here and the interview itself can be found in two parts below.





The subject was also discussed on the Hotstove segment between the second and third periods.



There is also an interesting piece of analysis by Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe.

Saturday round up

We start today's round up with the Spectator story that there is another group trying to bring an NHL franchise to Hamilton, as well as a letter from Spec publisher Dana Robbins urging NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to look seriously at Hamilton. We also have piece with various politicians weighing in.

Steve Milton has two pieces, one on the NHL laws governing franchise location and a column on the problems with having a franchise in Phoenix. Reporter Joan Walters has a story that serves as a summation of the issues at hand.

Stephen Brunt of the Globe and Mail has an interview with Jim Balsillie, as well as a column on what Gretzky will do. Reporter David Shoalts has the view from Arizona.

The Star has a piece on the motion by Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes against the NHL.

We asked you for names ... You gave us a few

1. HAMILTON TIGERS

The name of Hamilton’s original NHL franchise in the 1920s.

- Mark Robinson

2. Hamilton Tigers
Hamilton Wild Cats
Hamilton Wild Tigers

I like the thought of bringing back The Hamilton Tigers--something our city lost many years ago.

 - Bill Pauhl

3. Nothing out of the ordinary here. I lived in hamilton for 5 years and love the city!
I'd like nothing more than Hamilton to have an NHL team there. (I live in Missisauga and would adopt Hamilton as my new team instantaniously!!)

Hamilton Steelhawks
Hamilton Shield
Hamilton Steelers
Hamilton Steel
Hamilton Hammer
Hamilton Mohawks
Hammerhawks
Hamilton Steelhawks
Hamilton Smoke
Hamilton HAWKS

- Steve Vecchiola

 4. I believe the Spec already ran a naming contest for a potential NHL franchise. Anyway, I'm  going to stick with the same suggestion I made then:

The Hamilton Scarpfaces

- Ian Ward

5. I think the Hamilton Jets would be a great name. Winnipeg might not get the Jets back, but Canada can.

- Abdul-Haseeb Ahmad

6. I have always liked the idea of incorporating Burlington and Hamilon so my team name
would be the "Bay Area Bandits".  Their uniforms would by black and white striped like the
Ottawa 67's.  Many good slogans to go along with this team name like "steal 2 points" "got
mugged in the steal city"

- Mike Schutte

7. I think the new NHL team should be called The Hamilton Tigers.

- James F. Stewart

8. Hamilton Bettman’s

- Chris

9. Hamilton Hammers
Hamilton Rogues
Hamilton Steelheads
Hamilton Comets
Hamilton Lionhearts

- Steve Burtch

10. Maybe we can fool the little hitler into thinking Hamilton is not the Coyote's new home.
Call the team The Northern Thunder (or TNT). Bettman will never suspect ....

- Rob Muir

11. The HAMILTON STEELHAWKS
That is the name Ilike.

- Pasquale Ciarmoli

12. I think it's pretty obvious that an NHL team in Hamilton should be called the "Hamilton
Hammers."  For two reasons:  Hamilton is affectionately called the Hammer by many people
including prospective owner Jim Balsillie and if we get the team it will prove to all that
Hamilton is actually a place that one such as Gary Bettman shouldn't underestimate!   The
logo could possibly be a hockey stick (or two crossed on over the other) formed to look
somewhat like a hammer.

- Brian Dunlop

13. As a big Hockey fan in Hamilton, the only chance of us getting a Team here is if we name the team:

HAMILTON BETTMANS

With Gary running the show hockey will not come here ( hope I'm wrong though ) by having his face on the jerseys it might be our best chance.This may also be a good option cause all the other teams we play will want to aim the puck at his forhead giving a less likely chance at scoring LOL will send us to the cup the first year.

- Mike Augello

14. The name has to be "The Hammer", with the piture of a forceful sledgehammer coming down hard. The coulors should be silver and burgundy.

- John Mattinson

15. I like the Hamilton Wolverines. I thought this logo is kinda cool.

- Kerri Ambridge

16. The perfect name would be the Hamilton Hammers!  Hamilton's often referred to as "The Hammer" and it sounds tough too. Plus Hamilton has a heavy industrial/manual labour economy which would suite The Hamilton Hammers.As for logo I was thinking a hammerhead shark but we've already got the San Jose Sharks so pass on that.  The mascot would be awesome: a hammer, kids would love it.
Hope The Hammer gets this team!!  So tired of being a Leaf fan.

- Chad Taylor

17.I was always a big fan of the Hamilton Steelhawks.
Not just the team with the likes of Shayne Corson and Keith Primeau, but the name, the logo, the uniforms, the colours. Everything. So, if a team comes here, I would love for them to be modelled after the Steelhawks. Just my 2 cents.

- James McKinlay

18. Ummm…are you kidding me?  Hamilton has one of the most intriguing unfinished stories in the history of the NHL with the Hamilton Tigers team from the 1920’s and you would lead this “story” with the idea of a Hamilton Coyotes team name?  The Hamilton Tigers were on the verge of a Stanley Cup in 1925 before going on strike and being sold through mob connections to become the New York Americans.  You couldn’t ask for a more “Hamilton” story. Black and Gold.  Tigers eat ‘em raw.  All the sports traditions that this city holds dear are not from the TiCats, but the Hamilton Tigers.  This is not even a question but rather a question of which of the three original sweater designs the new ones will be based on.

- Derek Weidl

19. Although I’m in Ottawa, I am hoping that the Coyotes move to Hamilton.  It’s long overdue for Hamilton and Canada to get another team. The Hamilton team name should be The Steelhawks.  The name and logo from the OHL team in the 80’s was the best.

- Michael Frenken

20. You gotta first think Tigers or Steelhawks to pay respect to hockey tradition in this town. The problems are Steelhawks would be called "Hawks" for short, then when you play Chicago  you have the Hawks against the Hawks, and with the Tigers you are awfully close to the  Ti-Cats.  So maybe something new would be good, "Steelheads" like that CTV show from the  90's???  But then you you have the short name of Heads, and that is terrible!?!?!Ah screw it, I vote Tigers!!!!!  That is a great name that has a classic feel to it, its a no miss round these parts too!!Oskee-wee-wee chants could be used as well with no alterations.

- Matt Belanger

21.I know this sounds a bit crazy, but I would love the name of the NHL Team in Hamilton to be the Bulldogs.  I know that name is owned by someone else in another league, but the Bulldogs have been a part of Hamilton's Culture for over 10 years.I've always said that Hamilton has a better shot at getting an NHL team, and winning the Stanley Cup even before the Toronto Maple Leafs come close to it.
Hamilton Bulldogs AHL graduates to Hamilton Bulldogs NHL!  What a concept!  I'm sure Michael Andular would be willing to sell the name to Jim for this!

- R.C. Tyler Shepherd

22. I've always loved the name 'Hamilton Steelhawks'.It has mention of our famous steel industry, and a logo could be a really steely looking hawk wing similar to the old logo when we had the minor league Steelhawks.

- Jason Leach

23. When the Phoenix Coyotes NHL hockey team is moved to Hamilton, the team should have a new name to reflect Hamilton.I believe that the name should reflect the new Hamilton and not the old Hamilton, thus names such as Hammer, Steeltown, Steelers, etc. should not be used. Manufacturing and the steel industry is on a decline in Hamilton and reflects the old city.The new city is becoming associated with the fantastic educational centres here, the medical complexes, the waterfront, the Niagara Escarpment, the hiking trails and most recently its waterfalls.

In fact Hamilton with its 125 waterfalls and cascades (at last count) is now called "The City of Waterfalls" and "The Waterfall Capital of the World" Thus the new name of the team could be the "Hamilton Waterfalls" or the "Hamilton Waterfallers".

For those who think the name is corny, how did we get names like the "Toronto Maple Leafs" or "New Jersey Devils"or the "Anaheim Mighty Ducks" (maybe we could call it "Hamilton Mighty Waterfalls").
"Hamilton Waterfalls" would make a statement that Hamilton is both "The City of Waterfalls" and "The Waterfall Capital of the World" and would reflect the new Hamilton, a green, environmentally sensitive and an outdoors type of a city.It makes sense to me.

- Joe Hollick

24. In response to your question about naming a possible Hamilton team, I say stick to tradition  and call them the Hamilton Tigers. Use the original "H" logo.

- Joe Camilleri

25. Hamilton Falcones

- Rob Reed

26. Hamilton Thunder

- Darryl Holditch

27 I have always loved the name "Hamilton Steelhawks"

- Chris Fleming

28. Leave the name and logo the same!

- Rod Reichheld

29. I think the team should be called the "Rodney Motts."  A little unwieldy, perhaps, but at least no one will be surprised when the team: (1) repeatedly promises to win but fails to deliver and (2) is sold and shut down after only two years.

- David Pedler
(Hamilton native now living in Erie, PA, USA)

30. Just as the Ottawa Senators revived their former NHL team name, I think Hamilton should do the same and go with "Hamilton Tigers." Good luck, Hamilton!!  Hope the NHL finally comes to your worthy city. P.S. Beat the Leafs!

- Len Stewart

31. The Hamilton Never-Gonna-Happens.

- Kathy Chamoun

32. I have two ideas for team names.

Hamilton Hawks
Hamilton Heroes

I have an idea for a possible logo for the Heroes, it could be a Shield with two hockey sticks crossed in front of it ( like swords ). If it were the Heroes, they could wear Yellow or Gold, or Silver, and if there were some Yellow/Gold or Black it would fit the motif of a Hero, and would be fitting for our city's tradition of making steel.

- Matt C.

33.  How about the "Hamilton Waterfalls"; the "Hamilton Chutes" or the "Hamilton Cascades" - something that pays homage to the fact that we have the most waterfalls of any urbanized area in the world. What I don't want to see is the "Hamilton Steelers" - this town has GOT to shed its industrial image if its ever going to thrive again. Thanks for all the hockey coverage - it's great!

- Hamish Campbell

34. Since coyotes have become a significant part of the local landscape (I loved the picture on the Spec's website earlier this week of the one sipping water from a placid Lake Ontario!), and since Gary Bettman is fanantical in his zeal about keeping "Hamilton" out of the NHL, and since Jim Balisillie is fast becoming a local hero and deserving of acclaim - and perhaps some extra promotion of his little side businesses, may I submit the following as team name:The Balsillie Blackberry Coyotes....of Southern Ontario

- Rich Gelder

35. HAMILTON BLACKBERRIES
HAMILTON  WOLVERINES
HAMILTON  "STEALERS"
HAMILTON  PHOENIX
HAMILTON  "COPPS"
HAMILTON CRUSADERS

- John Turner

 

Reinsdorf as an owner

Interesting story from the Chicago Tribune that Bettman's hand-picked owner for Phoenix is apparently a long shot to take over.

What should Hamilton's NHL team be called?

 

What's in a name? You tell us

Remember Hamilton's wild coyotes roaming the beach strip?

This is the face of the city's native coyote. Well, now the entire city is excited by the prospect of a new kind of Coyote coming to town.

Should Jim Balsillie be successful and a National Hockey League team move to Hamilton, what should it be called?

What name or logo should replace the Coyote's face? Give us your ideas.

Today's coverage

Spec columnist Steve Milton was in Phoenix yesterday covering the bankruptcy hearing and filed this story. He filed a smaller story on Balsillie lawyer Richard Roddier saying a team could be in the Hammer as early as this season.

Hamilton mayor Fred Eisenberger says the city is trying to secure a long-term lease to host an NHL club at Copps.

Gary McKay has also written a profile of Balsillie. And apparently Walter Gretzky isn't crazy about the idea of having an arena named after him.

We're also asking for your thoughts on what the Coyotes should be called if the move to Hamilton. Submit them as comments to this post.

Don Cherry has weighed in. He says he doesn't like Balsillie's tactics in trying to secure an NHL team.

We've also got stories from the Globe and the Star. Stephen Brunt has weighed in, as has Garth Woolsey and Dave Perkins.

Here is the Arizona Republic story on the issue..

The next hearing is scheduled for May 19.

NHL Dreams, today's coverage

Welcome to the Hamilton Spectator's newest blog, NHL Dreams. We'll use this forum to keep you updated with news, information and multimedia regarding the city's pursuit of an NHL franchise.

This is our current story setting up the day ahead.

We start today with the Spec's comprehensive coverage from today's paper. Business reporter Steve Arnold has a piece on A1 about the Coyotes' case for bankruptcy. The documents he refers to in the story can also be found here. Sports columnist Steve Milton has two stories, the first on the learning curve of Jim Balsillie in his pursuit of an NHL franchise, the second on the personal nature of the battle between Balsillie and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

Reporter Ken Peters examines the feasibility of a renovation to Copps Colesium and a separate piece looks at the Balsillie camp's efforts to secure the arena. A second group is also reportedly pursuing Copps as a potential location for an NHL team, says John Kernaghan.

Columnist Scott Radley has an FAQ on the situation.

Columnist Andrew Dreschel also weighs in on Burlington's role and the Spec's editorial board has their say.

We've even got a cartoon.

We aren't the only media outlet covering this story, obviously. Damien Cox of the Toronto Star says owning an NHL team isn't Balsillie's right and makes the rarely-found defense of Bettman. The Star also has a piece on the importance of Wayne Gretzky in this deal. Garth Woosley also has a profile of Balsillie.

At the Globe and mail they have a main story plus an Alan Maki column on Bettman's neck being on the line.

The Arizona Republic has some excellent coverage on this story. They have a news story,  a column, a interesting blog posting on the lease agreement in Glendale.

Finally, here's today's Wall Street Journal story and video from yesterday with commissioner Gary Bettman talking about the Pheonix situation and Balsillie's bid to buy the team.