Rumors have surfaced that the Wenatchee Wild NAHL Franchise could be moved to the Detroit area. Some would say this is being done in order to keep the NAHL happy and could be a negotiation to prevent them from further objections to the Wenatchee Wild Team switching leagues to the BCHL next season.
This would not mean that the Wild would move their team. If it were to take place it would be a relocation of the NAHL franchise rights only. This would require new staffing and a completely new roster. In some sense it would help reduce the pain of losing the Kalamazoo Jr. Kwings, in another sense it is more likely a complete disaster in the making.
The Detroit metro area has been home to five to seven NAHL franchises in the past, depending on how you count. Not one of these franchises has been successful long-term, and there are multiple reasons for the lack of success.
The Detroit Compuware Ambassadors existed for two years 1990 to 1992. Funded by Peter Karmonos, one of the wealthiest men in hockey, and it still didn’t work. After two years they were renamed the Detroit Jr. Red Wings and moved to the OHL.
The Dearborn Heights Nationals existed from 1991 to 1996 and is arguably the most successful NAHL franchise experiment in the Detroit area based on longevity.
The Detroit Freeze lasted from 1992 to 1997. The Fraser Highlanders ran from 1976 to 1980 in the NAHL. Fraser Flags from 1981 to 1984. Detroit Falcons from 1986 to 1987.
Most recently the Motor City Metal Jackets called Detroit home from 2008 to 2011. They are now the Jamestown Ironmen.
There are multiple reasons why Detroit is not, nor will it ever be a solid NAHL market.
The cost of media buys for marketing in a major market are cost prohibitive. Detroit is an NHL market. The OHL has teams within the area. There is too much competition for corporate advertising dollars. The economy is still recovering and the hockey fans in the area do not have extra dollars to spend on yet another hockey entertainment option.
The experiments of the Michigan Warriors and Port Huron Fighting Falcons should have provided enough information to the NAHL to say no to this idea. The Warriors and Falcons do not have the competition that a team in Detroit would have, and those teams still struggle.
Lets not forget that the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association is objecting to nearly every junior expansion or relocation application within the state in order toprotect its talent rich Midget AAA programs.
Moving an NAHL franchise cross country to facilitate a smooth transition to the BCHL would not be seen as an exigent circumstance under USA Hockey rules. Everyone has been aware that the Wild are going to the BCHL for years.
Mark Frankenfeld wants successful franchises in the NAHL. Not many would believe he would seek to re-enter the Detroit market at this time unless the organization prepaid a lease, and league dues for at least five years.
It is said that a fool and his money are soon parted.
IF the owners of Wenatchee think they can duplicate the success they have had in a market like Detroit then they clearly do not know the market. If this is a move to facilitate the Wilds move to the BCHL and offset the profits in Wenatchee with the losses in Detroit then they may have a successful plan. Anyone thinking that Detroit will support any junior product other than the options they already have, please refer back to the fool and money quote.
