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THE NHL IS EYEBALLING SOUTH TEXAS FOR THEIR NEXT EXPANSION TEAM

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The NHL has announced they are looking into putting an expansion team in either Houston or Austin, Texas. The league also has not ruled out bringing a new team to either Atlanta or Arizona in markets the NHL has already been in. The NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has come to an agreement with the Friedkin Family. Dan Friedkin is the CEO of the Friedkin Group & prospective owner of a new NHL franchise. It will be a hefty price of 3.5 million dollars which will be used to help build a new arena in whichever Texas city. Some of that 3.5 billion covers what the NHL calls an expansion fee to become the 33rd NHL team. The league will conduct a six month investigation of the two cities and then decide if either town will get a NHL team. Texas, like Arizona, and Hotlanta, have one thing in common which is they are huge markets. Which is a shame because some of the other options just sound better than adding hockey to a warmer climate in North America.

Other mentioned cities that have been talked about to join the NHL with an expansion team include Indianapolis, New Orleans, Portland (Oregon), Kansas City, and Quebec City. I also have a few cities in my mindset which should be considered for getting an expansion team – especially if some cities get multiple chances. The last two expansion teams, the Las Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken, have been nice additions into the league. The way the Golden Knights make the Stanley Cup Finals and have already won a Cup makes your own city want to ditch their current team and replace them with an expansion team. The Kraken have also made the post-season already in their short history. The old Arizona Coyotes could not get a arena built in the desert for some odd reason. They moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and found a better supporting cast, as in fan base, around the Mammoth. Some times it’s not the fan bases of these cities that make the owner move the franchise elsewhere. These new teams always start with a fan base because the city is usually excited about something new in town. Most of the time it’s the greedy owners that ruin everything and break the hearts of the fan base or just turns them off. Nobody wants to continue lining the pockets of a Greedy Gus. The owner then moves the franchise. The NHL itself is responsible for this kind of foul play. Yes, you Mr. Bettman, the Commissioner of the hockey world should take a look at your ugly self in the mirror. You hope the mirror speaks back and tells him the truth.

What are the pros and cons of some of these cities on the expansion list? Would you want to visit these cities to watch hockey?

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Austin Texas has had some minor league teams in their city. The Austin Ice Bats played in town from 1996-2008. They played in two leagues: the Western Professional Hockey league and the Central Hockey league. The Texas Stars are the current team playing there. The Stars are the Dallas Stars affiliate who play in the AHL. The city of Austin does not have any of the 4 main professional sports teams in its city. The City of Austin you could compare it to Nashville, who now have the Titans in the NFL and Predators who play in the NHL.

HOUSTON, TEXAS

The city of Houston has three professional teams from the 4 main sports. The Houston Texans of the NFL, Rockets of the NBA and those cheating bastards the Astros of the MLB. Houston does have some hockey history. They had the Houston Apollos from 1965-69 which was a farm system for the Montreal Canadiens that played minor league hockey. The Aeros have been the staple of Houston Hockey. The Aeros once won back to back championships in the WHA (World Hockey Association) back in 1974 & 75. That league disbanded. The Aeros would return in 1994 and last until 2013 playing in the IHL (International Hockey League) and the AHL (American Hockey League). Both leagues were minor league hockey.

That jersey with that logo I would love to see in the NHL.

OTHER POTENTIAL LOCATION FOR EXPANSION

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Atlanta once had the Flames from 1972 through 1980 and then they moved from the state of Georgia to Calgary. To this day they are still the Calgary Flames.

Then Atlanta received another expansion hockey team in 1999 in the NHL. The Atlanta Thrashers lasted 11 seasons and then moved to Winnipeg in 2011. The incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets resurfaced after their city lost their original team in 1996. Those original Jets became the Phoenix Coyotes who then became the Arizona Coyotes.

ARIZONA

Then the Coyotes moved to Utah to become the Mammoth. I would not give the state of Arizona or Atlanta, Georgia another franchise. The NHL has done this did that. You can say bad owners had those franchises. It can still happen again. Even though both are big markets and both have professional teams from the 4 major food groups.

PORTLAND, OREGON

The Buckaroos is a name I would love to see on an NHL jersey. Not in present day, the youth would not buy this name or jersey. Portland has some nice hockey history which includes these Buckaroos who played in the Western Hockey League from 1960-1974. The early Buckaroos which also were later called the Eagles played hockey in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association from 1928-1951. Then we can’t forget about the Portland Rosebuds who played in the same Pacific Coast Hockey Association from the early years of 1914-1918. The city of Portland only has the Trail Blazers of the NBA as their main professional team. A Portland team could be a nice rival to the Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks. Would Seattle and Vancouver lose some fans if Portland, Oregon landed an expansion team?

MONTREAL CANADA

When the NHL moved the Quebec Nordiques to Colorado, it was a travesty. The Nordiques was part of the WHA World Hockey Association in the 1970’s from 72-79. They won the WHA championship in 1977. Then they were one of multiple teams when the league disbanded went to the NHL. From 1979 to 1995 they played in the NHL. Then they moved to Colorado to become the Avalanche. I always thought the city of Quebec got a raw deal. It’s a city that loved its hockey team. The Jets got their team back the city of Quebec should get theirs back.

Another city that should get their team back is Hartford Connecticut. The Whalers are now the Carolina Hurricanes who just won the Stanley Cup. The Whalers left Hartford back in 1997. The Whalers were one of those teams that played in the WHA from 1972-79 & then transitioned to the NHL. They were the New England Whalers at the time in and then they became the Hartford Whalers in 1979 until 1997 which is 25 years. I know the Hurricanes wear that Whalers jersey a few times a year. The Whalers jersey should be in the NHL in present day. To bring them back to Hartford would be a great idea.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

The city of Indianapolis has some hockey history. One team name, the Racers, who played in the World Hockey Association from 1974-78 has me interested. They obviously named the team after the famous car race that is in the city of Indianapolis every year. The Indianapolis Ice played in the CHL and the IHL from 1988 until 2004. They won two titles in 1990 and 2000. The city of Indianapolis had the Capitals, a team that played in the AHL back from 1939-52 and won two Cups – one in ’42 and the other in ’50. The city of Indianapolis has the Pacers in the NBA and Colts in the NFL. This is an interesting option. I like the fact it’s a colder state and kids growing up probably skate outside on frozen rinks loving the game.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

Once upon a time ago, the city of Kansas City did have a NHL team in 1974 that lasted two seasons. They were called the Scouts and Kansas City likes those Indian names like the Chiefs they have in the NFL. The Scouts then became the first Colorado Rockies which now they have a baseball team named that. Then the Rockies left Colorado to become the New Jersey Devils. The city of Kansas City also has the Royals in the MLB. Other hockey history in BBQ town was the Outlaws who skated in the United Hockey League from 2004-2005. They had the Kansas City Blades from 1990 until 2001 in the IHL as they won the Turner Cup back in 1992. Kansas City is a town from the Midwest that has seasons that the youth would bring out the hockey sticks and net to play on some local frozen lake or rink.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

The city of New Orleans does not have a rich history in hockey. They have two professional teams in the Saints of the NFL and Pelicans of the NBA. From 1997-2002, New Orleans had a minor league hockey team called the Brass. Cool logo with horns and trumpets playing that New Orleans style music. They were in the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League). If the city of New Orleans did get a team in the NHL, you could probably come up with a cooler name involving Cajun, gators, crocodiles or voodoo in the name. The Big Easy is an awesome city. Come on hockey. No way.

WILD SHAMROCK RANKINGS ON WHICH TEAM SHOULD GET THE EXPANSION TEAM FROM 1-10

(1 being the top cities & 10 being no way Jose)

#1. Quebec (It’s time the NHL corrected a wrong.)

#2. Indianapolis (No longer just a basketball state, ask Indiana University that.)

#3. Hartford (Another wrong the NHL needs to address and bring back the Whalers.)

#4. Houston (Only if they are nicknamed the Aeros and can play at the old Astro dome which would be cool.)

#5. Portland (Great craft beer town and a gorgeous state in general.)

#6. Austin (I can see Nashville part two as being a nice destination for a weekend away with lots to do there.)

#7. Kansas City (BBQ, BBQ, and BBQ)

#8. Arizona (Only if they have a pool at the new arena like they have with the Diamondbacks stadium in baseball.)

#9.Atlanta (Did that already twice.)

#10. New Orleans (Do they even know what hockey is down there?)

A honorable mention for shits and giggles: Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo could be nicknamed the Wood Chippers. Yes, that is piece of wood not a wooden leg.

Or the Fargo Ice-Holes

THE LOVE OF BEAN TOWN SPORTS LANDSCAPE LOSING IS PRICELESS

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The city of Boston’s sports landscape is backed by a die hard fan base. Boston sports may have the backing of one of the most passionate fan bases in the states and in the sports world. You have to love the city of Boston for all the historical stuff. Including one of the best baseball stadiums that is still standing in present day, Fenway Park. The greatest sitcom of all time is based out of Boston. Where everyone knows your name in Cheers. Out of the 4 main sports in America starting with baseball, then football, basketball, and hockey, Boston has done very well winning titles. In basketball the Celtics have won the most NBA titles with 18. In football we had to watch the Patriots dynasty steam roll the competition with Tom Brady and his coach Oscar the Grouch, Bill Belichick, collected 6 Superbowl trophies which is tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most all-time.The Bruins, an original six team in the NHL, has a 6 pack of their own in titles won which is 4th most on the ice. Then the Red Sox with 9 titles. We have come accustomed to hate the Evil Empire Yankees because they spend money and buy their titles. What about LA? The dream team Dodgers and all of that Hollywood crap. Boston can’t hide anymore. Bean Town has become the city with 4 teams that are annoying to the rest of the world. I love when the shit hits the fan in Boston because it is epic when things go bad.

Let’s roll the calendar back to the month of February as somehow the New England Patriots made it back to the Superbowl. The Patriots took advantage of an easy schedule. The Patriots made a savvy hire in signing somehow available Mike Vrabel, a former player who helped this franchise win three titles as a linebacker. Vrabel brought back Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator who was a big part of that hated dynasty with Tom Brady all those years. The Patriots were the number two seed and played the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game and won. Of course the Broncos were playing this important game without their starting quarterback, Bo Nix, who was injured. The Patriots find a way as the Mandalorian would say. It was a rematch of an old Superbowl from years ago with the Seahawks and Patriots clashing. That Superbowl Seattle should have won if they only handed the ball off to Marshawn Lynch at the goal line to seal the deal. Pete Carroll, offensive coordinator back then, went with a pass that was intercepted and once again Tom Brady prevails. Only a few months ago this go around, Seattle would get revenge and beat up on this Patriots team that probably should have never gotten there in the first place. The Patriots like always make headlines off the field like they did back in the day during the dynasty. Before the Superbowl, Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore had an incident with his girlfriend who he pushed to the ground. Then another classy citizen, Stefon Diggs, choking a female chef about the bill. Let’s not forget the affair of Varabel with ESPN side line reporter Dianna Russini. Her career is screwed while Vrabel will be on the Patriots sideline this season.

The Buffalo Sabres, a team that broke the longest playoff drought in the NHL this season, squared off against the Bruins in the first round. The Sabres dominated this series. They dispatched the Bruins in six games of which game six was on Boston’s home ice which is always priceless to see a team you’re rooting against loose in front of the home faithful. The Bruins were booed off their home ice in game 4 when the Sabres blew them out on a Sunday afternoon. After the blow out loss, goaltender Jeremy Swayman’s frustrations boiled over in an outburst. The Bruins had multiple stick infractions in this series versus the Sabres. In game six, the Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy delivered a high stick on the Sabres’ Zach Benson in the remaining seconds of the game. Yes, these are two teams that don’t like each other. Yes, it was a chippy series with plenty of words and threats exchanged in the six games played. In my book the Sabres were the quicker team. They were the better team and that did not go well with the Bruins players as they tried to get their revenge with dirty play. In the end seeing both teams line up for the hand shake, which the NHL does to conclude all post-season series was priceless. Seeing the Bruins season end, you immediately went into your happy dance.

In baseball the Red Sox just fired their manager, Alex Cora, who helped the Red Sox win a title in 2018. The Red Sox have started out of the gates poorly & that has led to Cora’s dismissal. Cora came from the Houston coaching staff of the Astros who stole the 2017 World Series with sign stealing. Cora was let go by the Red Sox in 2020 because of the part he played with the Astros in that sign stealing scandal. After only missing one season, Cora was quickly reinstated by the Red Sox. Because baseball let these guys off easily. How many scandals did the Patriots dynasty get into? We had deflate gate. We had the Tom Brady new tuck rule. Bill Belichick was busted for spy gate and you are surprised it was not a peep hole in the cheerleaders’ locker room. Let’s not forget the owner of the Patriots who got busted in a massage parlor for trying to land a hooker. Do you remember Aaron Hernandez, the tight end for the Patriots, that got life in prison for murder? Lots of classy citizens in Bean Town representing the Boston sports landscape.

The Boston Celtics won their last NBA title in 2024. The Celtics have always been a classy organization in the Boston landscape. The Irish name, the shamrock in the logo, and green and white uniforms make a statement. The Celtics stand out with superstars in the 1980’s like Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale. All classy guys playing the game of basketball the right way and winning championships like a team. Not every athlete who put on the Boston uniform of whatever sport they played should be dragged through the mud or lynched. Who does not like the Big Papi? David Ortiz and great Red Sox players like Jim Rice along with Wade Boggs were fan favorites. My favorite Red Sox players were Kevin Youkilis and Carlton Fisk, who switched their Sox allegiance to White. In Cheers, Ted Danson played an X-Red Sox reliever named Sam May Day Malone. Also in Cheers, Eddie LeBec, who played goalie for the Bruins & married Carla, is my favorite Boston hockey player.

When the Red Sox made that huge comeback in the post-season being down three games to none with the Evil Empire Yankees in the ALCS in 2004. The Red Sox would go one and win the World Series. I liked that team. You can’t jump on the Boston bandwagon. In 2005 it was the White Sox who knocked out the 2004 defending champions in the first round of the post-season. That was the first hurdle for the White Sox road to the World Series and winning it all while breaking an 88 year drought for the southsiders since they won their last in 1917. Boston sports landscape have been very rewarding for the Chicago sports landscape. In 2013 the Blackhawks dynasty rolled over the Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals to win one of three cups. Which included scoring two goals off the Bruins in 17 seconds in the last 1:16 of regulation to win it all in game 6. The Bears won their only Superbowl versus the New England Patriots in 1986 in a rout.

Michael Jordan and the Bulls never beat Larry Bird’s Celtics in the post-season. However Robert Parish won his 4th ring with the Bulls in the 1996-97 season helping them off the bench. The NBA has changed and is a league presently that does not play defense. Chucking three pointers all day & all night. The Bulls and Celtics should not even be talked about like the rest of the NBA. It was the Celtics that I may have even complimented them out of all the 4 main sports in Boston. Some cities’ sports landscapes can change. Boston once upon a time ago was easy to root for. The Patriots have killed that city after that dynasty and present day events from that franchise. The Red Sox and Bruins may have a liking sometime in the future. Right now Bean Town is better off rooting against them. Their failures are priceless.

MY TEN LITTLE INDIAN LOGOS

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When President Donald Trump speaks, many people may think, “here we go again.”

Some of Donald Trump’s agenda trying to make America better has been wanting to change certain names back to their original. In his second term, Trump has renamed 7 U.S Army bases back to their original names. Some of these military bases were named after Confederate Generals from the Civil War. Some of them were named after other military heroes. For example Fort Bragg in North Carolina was renamed Fort Liberty. Pfc Roland L. Bragg was a World War I paratrooper. I’m sure you can debate all the name changes and come up with pros and cons why former military men need or don’t need a base named after them.

Recently Donald Trump has brought up name changes in professional sports. His thought is that Cleveland should change back to the Indians and dump the Guardians. The Cleveland Indians have been around for 106 seasons. They were pressured to change their name for years and they finally did in 2021. The Guardians ownership does not want to go back to the Indians name. Trump may have more influence on the Washington Commanders franchise. Before the Commanders along with the Washington Football name in DC, they were called the Redskins. They were the Redskins for 83 years. When the pandemic came around and America was at a boiling point of hate, the Redskins became extinct. Now Trump may try to block Washington Commanders ownership from building a new stadium where they used to play at RFK stadium. Trump claims many Native Americans were very proud of the Indian names and logos in sports. It’s the new generation and many people that are not Native Americans are bothered by these old historical names and logos. You can debate this conversation until you’re blue in the face. Many of these old sports logos that were Indian style logos looked amazing. Even some of the cartoon style logos had some character to them. In team sports it takes the entire roster. Many Native Americans in our history books, like American Generals, were warriors, hard working, and had a team concept of how to win the mission. I will throw out my favorites of my top ten little Indian logos. I think they are all cool looking logos as I rank them from worst to first. However worst is still a solid Indian logo. They have made my list. Some of these logos are gone. Some of these logos are still around. These logos come from colleges and professional sports.

#10. KINSTON INDIANS (Minor League baseball)

The Kinston Indians existed from 1978-2011 in North Carolina. They were a minor league baseball team and played in the Carolina league. They were affiliated with the Blue Jays and Indians of the MLB in their history. I like the feathers around the baseball bat handle. Now the Carolina Mud Cats play in Kinston.

#9.BOSTON BRAVES (MLB)

Before the Atlanta Braves. Then before the Milwaukee Braves, the Boston Braves were around from 1871-1952. In 1953 they became the Milwaukee Braves. They were not always the Braves in Boston. Some of the years they had different nicknames. Babe Ruth played his last year in baseball for the Boston Braves. I like the Indian head logo. I love the hatchet and baseball bat below the Indian head. Sharp looking.

#8. WASHINGTON REDSKINS (NFL)

People think the nickname Redskins is a racial name. In the beginning it was not. The name Redskins went down a bad road later in life where people used it as a racial insult. I always liked the arrow logo with features on Washington’s helmets they wore from 1965-69. I like that better than their Indian head they wore most of their years as the Redskins.

#7.JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS (ECHL)

The Johnstown Chiefs were one of the original hockey teams in the ECHL. They played minor league hockey in Johnstown from 1987-2010. They played their home games at a stadium called Cambria County War Memorial stadium. This was the stadium where the best hockey movie was filmed, Slap Shot.

I love the Indian headdress on the logo with the hockey stick and hatchet.

#6. ORLANDO RENEGADES (USFL)

The Orlando Renegades only played one season with the cool hatchet and feathers on their helmets. It was the1985 Spring football league in the USFL. They won only 5 games that lone season. It was a losing franchise before they moved to Orlando. Originally they were the Washington Federals and they were the worst team in the league for years. A new city. New uniforms. A powerful logo could not make them a better team.

#5. CLEVELAND INDIANS (MLB)

I really do not care what people think but I loved the Cleveland Indians logo. I’m sure many fans loved the Indians logo. I bet many fans still wear their Indians swag at Guardians games. Chief Wahoo is a cartoon character. It’s like going to Great America and getting a caricature done of yourself on a skate board. The Chief looks like former Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen.

I’m Irish & I don’t get mad when the University of Notre Dame makes me look like a Leprechaun on their logo. I even have a Chief Wahoo beer sign in the man cave. Not a Cleveland baseball fan, but I did like Indians over Guardians on any day of the summer.

#4. ATLANTA BRAVES (MLB)

I grew up when the Atlanta Braves had their Indian logo. This guy looks like a bad ass mother chucker with the mohawk and a feather coming out of his head.

He reminds me of the guy in the movie Road Warrior. He was a villain but had that rally cry down pat. The Braves to me were never a villain type of team. They did have some great teams after the Indian logo. They still hold on to their name today even though they are still being pressured I’m sure to change their name or else. I do like the tomahawk logo they wear now. Too many Braves logos in this one already. Enough is enough.

#3. EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY HURONS (NCAA)

I thought that Eastern Michigan Hurons was always a classy style of logo. I loved the color of green they used. In 1991 Eastern Michigan gave in and change their name to the Eagles. I wonder what the stats are of schools going from a Indian logo name to an Eagle or some kind of Hawk. I guess birds are safe these days. Indians and birds have feathers in common. Just wait till the birds have their say.

#2. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI (NCAA)

In 2006 the NCAA wanted to remove any Indian mascots that were abusive and hostile. For the University of Illinois they had to get rid of Chief Illiniwek who performed Indian heritage dances at the games in the full headdress and Native American wardrobe. By 2007 Illinois did not have their mascot or their old logo. The Indian logo the University had was amazing looking. The colors blue and orange make that head dress bright on that logo. The term Illini refers to the Illinois confederation, which was a group of Native American tribes that lived in the Mississippi River Valley which the University named themselves after. What an insult to be wanting to name yourself after someone, or some group you respected.

#1.CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (NHL)

The Chicago Blackhawks is by far one of the best logos in sports. The Indian head with all the colored feathers is a logo anybody can respect. It is a logo which certainly gives respect to all of the Native Americans. The Blackhawks got their name from Chief Black Hawk who was a big part of Illinois history. The Chief was also prominent figure in the Sauk nation. The Blackhawks were one of the original six teams in the NHL. The Chicago Blackhawks do not get the pressure like other teams in sports that still have the Indian logo. The ties go back far with this hockey franchise and the Chief. They may never get severed. I just wish the Blackhawks front office could do a better job at building a winning team so the Native Americans and the rest of us could have something to cheer for on the ice instead of a few cold beers.