River Rats moving?

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051216/NEWS/512160363

I didn't know if anyone else has submitted this but if not, what are your thoughts?

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051216/NEWS/512160363

I didn't know if anyone else has submitted this but if not, what are your thoughts?

Hmm

AHL hockey in NJ, sounds intruing. Wonder how ECHL is doing in Trenton?

Hmm

AHL hockey in NJ, sounds intruing. Wonder how ECHL is doing in Trenton?

I aint B.S.ing anyone.... If the Trenton Titans were the Devils AHL affiliate, id be there every home game, without question.....

I aint B.S.ing anyone.... If the Trenton Titans were the Devils AHL affiliate, id be there every home game, without question.....

No doubt, AHL Devils talent central to the populus of the whole state would to alot for the Devils fan base throughout the state. It would be an half hour journey from my door. I would definately check out alot more games.


The reason I ask is because the Sovereign Bank Arena has an affliation to the Flyers but its ECHL. They probably draw alot from Bucks County.

It's 15 minutes away from me (Jackson). I'd definitely be there...especially when they play Hartford (or wherever the Wolfpack are moving to).

That'd be great if the Rats were moved to NJ. I'd definitely make the trip down to Lakewood to catch a few games a season.

It's 15 minutes away from me (Jackson). I'd definitely be there...especially when they play Hartford (or wherever the Wolfpack are moving to).


Wolfpack are moving? Wow Hartford is going to get an NHL team! :sarcasm:


Hartford Penguins

That'd be great if the Rats were moved to NJ. I'd definitely make the trip down to Lakewood to catch a few games a season.

I'm sure the players themselves would thrilled that they wouldn't have to drive to and from Albany everytime someone is called up.

I don't think it's a matter of whether they're moving, I think it's a matter of when and where they're moving. I guess it remains to be seen if this particular plan pans out, but I hope the people in Lakewood know what they're getting themselves into.

Maybe they'll move in to Newark with the Devils?

I live in Albany and I would love the team to move. I just can't root for future Devils. Sorry, I just can't. If the Wolfpack were to move here, I would buy season tickets the day they made the deal, and I would go out of my way to go at every opportunity. My Brother used to work for the Rats and they are a cheapskate sham of an organization. They treated their people like crap unless you were "one of the boys" in which case they paid two to three times as much. Good Riddance.

I live in Albany and I would love the team to move. I just can't root for future Devils. Sorry, I just can't. If the Wolfpack were to move here, I would buy season tickets the day they made the deal, and I would go out of my way to go at every opportunity. My Brother used to work for the Rats and they are a cheapskate sham of an organization. They treated their people like crap unless you were "one of the boys" in which case they paid two to three times as much. Good Riddance.

Spoken like a true Albany Resident. I am here for one year on business and this place is a black hole. The Area, the people, just pathetic.

If this happens I'll welcome a new name change with open arms. This team needs a major overhaul anyways. "River Rats" just doesn't do it for me. Who exactly is intimidated by the image of a drowned rat?

If this happens I'll welcome a new name change with open arms. This team needs a major overhaul anyways. "River Rats" just doesn't do it for me. Who exactly is intimidated by the image of a drowned rat?
Well that's assuming that they would come up with a good name. I don't know about you, but the name Blue Claws doesn't strike fear into my heart.

I aint B.S.ing anyone.... If the Trenton Titans were the Devils AHL affiliate, id be there every home game, without question.....

I agree with you 100% on that one. I would buy the season package myself.

If this happens I'll welcome a new name change with open arms. This team needs a major overhaul anyways. "River Rats" just doesn't do it for me. Who exactly is intimidated by the image of a drowned rat?

Although I happen to like the River Rats name, if they decided to come to Jersey & change the name, I'd be willing to offer up a name:

The New Jersey Slammers

For those not living in NJ, the name is stems from the large New Jersey Bluefish that are pretty damn strong. They'll slam your bait, torque your fishing rod & just about nearly jerk you over the side of the party boat when you get a hit.

Big, powerful, feared by many (smaller prey) & fun at the same time.

The red, black & white colors won't match, (these would be more like the old Seattle Seahawks colors) but at this point...change would be good.

Spoken like a true Albany Resident. I am here for one year on business and this place is a black hole. The Area, the people, just pathetic.
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by that. Depending on where you are, your comment is accurate. There are decent places around though. The problem is that it isn't a Major League city. For a guy who is from one, like San Francisco, I could see how you would be less than impressed. The people who put the Pepsi arena here were a bunch of scam artists who scoped out ghetto property, bought it all at rock bottom prices and then sold it back to the city (even though they were the ones deciding where it would be built) at inflated prices. So our arena is in a neighborhood that is pretty much unsafe to walk around in at night. They have thrown money at that area for years, but I don't think it matters. Even succesful teams just don't survive here. Maybe I'm wrong for not supporting my town's team, but I hate the Devils as much as any team in the NHL. (I'm not saying that to stir things up, it's because I am a Rangers fan and the competition between the two teams has built that.) I'm not going to go support that. The Devils don't sell out their own arena in NJ, why on earth do they think they can plop an affiliate in upstate NY and get support. In my mind the prototypical situaation is what Philly has, with the affiliate in the same town. Fans can go to see both teams if they like. Anyway, I got way too long winded with this. I think the Devils would be better served by moving their team to an area with more Devils fans.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by that. Depending on where you are, your comment is accurate. There are decent places around though. The problem is that it isn't a Major League city. For a guy who is from one, like San Francisco, I could see how you would be less than impressed. The people who put the Pepsi arena here were a bunch of scam artists who scoped out ghetto property, bought it all at rock bottom prices and then sold it back to the city (even though they were the ones deciding where it would be built) at inflated prices. So our arena is in a neighborhood that is pretty much unsafe to walk around in at night. They have thrown money at that area for years, but I don't think it matters. Even succesful teams just don't survive here. Maybe I'm wrong for not supporting my town's team, but I hate the Devils as much as any team in the NHL. (I'm not saying that to stir things up, it's because I am a Rangers fan and the competition between the two teams has built that.) I'm not going to go support that. The Devils don't sell out their own arena in NJ, why on earth do they think they can plop an affiliate in upstate NY and get support. In my mind the prototypical situaation is what Philly has, with the affiliate in the same town. Fans can go to see both teams if they like. Anyway, I got way too long winded with this. I think the Devils would be better served by moving their team to an area with more Devils fans.


Mark my words, Albany will not be the same city 6/8 years. Lots of money as well as infrasturcture improvements in terms of private equity is coming in the form of tech firms. In others words, a mini boom town if you will. Albany reminds me of our fair state capital, Trenton. Except Albany is a media market onto itself. Its definately a NYC team fan base.

The Philly situation is unique. The Spectrum was never torn down and the sturcture has been given to be used for Lacrosse/Hockey/Indoor Football. Plus Philly has great fans for all things Philly. They draw decent and are great for the guy who can't take his family across the street.

I heard this last night from my mother.

I'm excited as hell since I live by the shore. I'll be there every game when they face the Wolfpack.

I heard this last night from my mother.

I'm excited as hell since I live by the shore. I'll be there every game when they face the Wolfpack.

How about this:


River Rats to Jersey

Wolfpack to Albany or the nets brooklyn arena (NY team for NY state)

Hartford be given the Penguins/Hurricanes/Preds/Panthers

It would be great to strengthen the concentration of teams as well as rivalries in the region.

Does this mean this thread is getting moved to the Trade Proposal board?

How about this:


River Rats to Jersey

Wolfpack to Albany or the nets brooklyn arena (NY team for NY state)

Hartford be given the Penguins/Hurricanes/Preds/Panthers

It would be great to strengthen the concentration of teams as well as rivalries in the region.

Why would the Wolfpack move to Albany, though?

Because it is the stuff of my wildest dreams, that's why...
There was speculation that because apparently the lease between the Pack and the company that leases the building to them was expiring. With some NHL franchises situation less than stable, (Pitts-cough-burgh-cough!) Some people were thinking there could be a return of NHL hockey to Hartford. I don't think there's any fact to it, just speculation...

Lakewood seems "small" for an AHL market though... it's quite intriguing that another minor-league arena would be built in New Jersey but I think the Somerset County market would be a lot better. It's an affulent area where youth and HS hockey are also popular, and they've done very well with the baseball team there. I think what limits that area is where it would be built... parking is iffy at the Somerset Ballpark and and there would have to be an arena squeezed in near the site, which in my opinion is the most logical location (close to I-287). I've often floated the idea of a Central New Jersey arena in my head many times (even wrote a letter to the Courier News that wasn't printed proposing my idea). You can add an arena football team and even have indoor lacrosse again, considering it's probably more popular in Central NJ compared to the rest of the state. I think it would be great if the Devils do in fact follow through on moving the AHL team anywhere in New Jersey. (All this coming from a Rangers fan, no less)

Lakewood seems "small" for an AHL market though... it's quite intriguing that another minor-league arena would be built in New Jersey but I think the Somerset County market would be a lot better. It's an affulent area where youth and HS hockey are also popular, and they've done very well with the baseball team there. I think what limits that area is where it would be built... parking is iffy at the Somerset Ballpark and and there would have to be an arena squeezed in near the site, which in my opinion is the most logical location (close to I-287). I've often floated the idea of a Central New Jersey arena in my head many times and I think it would be great if the Devils do in fact follow through on moving the AHL team anywhere in New Jersey. (All this coming from a Rangers fan, no less)

I would LOVE it if the Devils' farm club moved to Somerset County. If only because I'd be less than 40 minutes away from it:).

Regardless, I hope the Devils' farm club moves to NJ so that it's closer to the parent club and increase interest in hockey/the Devils within NJ.

(Aside: Sorry, but the NJ Slammers would be a stupid name. I think most teams named after fish aren't good (sharks excepted). I think any Devils farm club moving to NJ should be called the Demons. Same colors as NJ, but with a far more menacing logo. Or a simple "NJHC" around an X formed by hockey sticks.)

(Aside: Sorry, but the NJ Slammers would be a stupid name. I think most teams named after fish aren't good (sharks excepted). I think any Devils farm club moving to NJ should be called the Demons. Same colors as NJ, but with a far more menacing logo. Or a simple "NJHC" around an X formed by hockey sticks.)

Somerset Demons
New Jersey Demons
Somerset Devils
New Jersey River Rats?!? (Commerce Bank Ballpark is on the Raritan)

Somerset Demons
New Jersey Demons
Somerset Devils
New Jersey River Rats?!? (Commerce Bank Ballpark is on the Raritan)

NJRR isn't a bad idea if the team moves near the Raritan. I wouldn't be surprised if there are rats in the Raritan.

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/SPORTS/512180464/1002

Is Lakewood big enough? The ECHL was in AC and it didn't work out...I'm not so sure the AHL would work so well, even though Lakewood is more residential.


The Titans are doing fine, but then again that's the ECHL. I figured there were sitll rumors that the Devils would take control of the Titans and they would move up to the AHL.

Titans do very well.

Lakewood is too far from Newark to be effective in getting the AHL affiliate close by. I would think the top distance should be 45 minutes away - Lakewood is more along the lines of 80-90 minutes from Newark.

I went to Seton Hall and dated a girl at Georgian Court U in Lakewood and it was a haul.

Somerset would be better, but it's still kind of far.

MORRISTOWN would be nice - that city could use some positive influx...

Woodbridge..

But I really think if you're going to bring the AHL team to New Jersey (which is a good idea that I've said from the beginning), keep it within 45 minutes of the NHL team facility.

Titans do very well.

Lakewood is too far from Newark to be effective in getting the AHL affiliate close by. I would think the top distance should be 45 minutes away - Lakewood is more along the lines of 80-90 minutes from Newark.

I went to Seton Hall and dated a girl at Georgian Court U in Lakewood and it was a haul.

Somerset would be better, but it's still kind of far.

MORRISTOWN would be nice - that city could use some positive influx...

Woodbridge..

But I really think if you're going to bring the AHL team to New Jersey (which is a good idea that I've said from the beginning), keep it within 45 minutes of the NHL team facility.

I go to Seton Hall now and actually commuted from Somerset County during freshman year... its roughly 35-40 minutes and it's not that bad. I personally think that location is better geographically and financially, given the economic support of the region.

I go to Seton Hall now and actually commuted from Somerset County during freshman year... its roughly 35-40 minutes and it's not that bad. I personally think that location is better geographically and financially, given the economic support of the region.
The biggest problem with Somerset County right now is that the infrastructure is very strained. A drizzle causes major backups on 287.

That being said, I would LOVE for the AHL team to move here. Why not try to put an arena in New Brunswick? They are widening route 18 between the t-pike and new brunswick, and its a city that is turning itself around building luxury apartments and such. Plus you have the Northeast corridor line going right through the center of town.

The biggest problem with Somerset County right now is that the infrastructure is very strained. A drizzle causes major backups on 287.

That being said, I would LOVE for the AHL team to move here. Why not try to put an arena in New Brunswick? They are widening route 18 between the t-pike and new brunswick, and its a city that is turning itself around building luxury apartments and such. Plus you have the Northeast corridor line going right through the center of town.

I work in New Brunswick, that would be Awesome!

They should talk to Rutgers. Rutgers plays Ice Hockey in the ACHA (an organized club association), not NCAA. Maybe if they split the cost of the Arena, or Rutgers simply provides a place to build one and lets the Devils build one on land on the outskirts of the campus (or owned land in NB), they can both benefit.

Rutgers could then sponsor Men's and Women's Division I NCAA ice hockey, and Devils would have their AHL team within reasonable distance to the major league club's arena.

There have also been alot of rumors about the Wolfpack leaving Hartford. If they did Albany is a pretty logical spot for a Rangers farm team.

Titans do very well.

Lakewood is too far from Newark to be effective in getting the AHL affiliate close by. I would think the top distance should be 45 minutes away - Lakewood is more along the lines of 80-90 minutes from Newark.

I went to Seton Hall and dated a girl at Georgian Court U in Lakewood and it was a haul.

Somerset would be better, but it's still kind of far.

MORRISTOWN would be nice - that city could use some positive influx...

Woodbridge..

But I really think if you're going to bring the AHL team to New Jersey (which is a good idea that I've said from the beginning), keep it within 45 minutes of the NHL team facility.

I would also love to see a team in the New Brunswick/Somerset area, but I have a feeling the Devils don't want their minor league team that close. They're probably afraid of losing attendance at Devils games from fans that would rather go a see a few AHL games for the price of one Devils game. With Lakewood, you don't really have this problem since there aren't too many fans in that area coming up to East Rutherford/Newark for games anyway.

True, but then the reverse is also true - your NJ Devils primary fanbase will not be traveling to see the minor league team, so why bother with the expense of buying one, building a rink, etc...

The most likely fans to go are the casual Devils fans living within a 30-60 minute drive from Newark who go to 1-5 games per year. You could get more money out of them at the cheaper venue.

I think New Brunswick/Piscataway is the perfect location. It's almost exactly between New York and Philly, has RAIL ACCESS via NJ Transit and Amtrak (like NY, Newark and Philly)...

It's close enough to allow folks in central and south jersey to have easy access to the team, and close enough to get the north jersey folks there...

PLUS - the benefit of aligning with the STATE UNIVERSITY is huge.. allowing us to have D-1 hockey in New Jersey! Imagine being able to see the future Devils in the AHL, and future stars from Michigan, BC, BU, Providence, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Minnesota, etc all in the same facility, centrally located in NJ?

Right. Build it.

PLUS - the benefit of aligning with the STATE UNIVERSITY is huge.. allowing us to have D-1 hockey in New Jersey! Imagine being able to see the future Devils in the AHL, and future stars from Michigan, BC, BU, Providence, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Minnesota, etc all in the same facility, centrally located in NJ?
Imagine being able to see the future stars from Michigan, BC, BU, Providence, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Minnesota, etc come in and stomp all over the Scarlet Knights just like the NCAA superpowers (and not so superpowers) do in football.
Not sure that Rutgers Alumni would go for it.
Besides, the traffic on River Road is bad enough.
}:-(>

Satan's Children

That name should pizz off the NJ senator who wants the Devs to change their name :soap:

Tr

I think New Brunswick/Piscataway is the perfect location. It's almost exactly between New York and Philly, has RAIL ACCESS via NJ Transit and Amtrak (like NY, Newark and Philly)...

It's close enough to allow folks in central and south jersey to have easy access to the team, and close enough to get the north jersey folks there...


As a resident of Edison, I am 110% behind this idea. NB/Piscataway is 40 minutes to an hour away from Newark and it would be where a lot of NJ fans are.

Except...where are you going to put an arena? The NB/Piscataway area is pretty full as is. I'm trying to think of some large open spaces on where to put an arena, but I'm coming up empty. Then again, I don't have to build this thing; so I wouldn't know where to put it anyway.

Still, if it's possible, I would love to see a NJ minor league team in NB/Piscataway. Call it the Central Jersey Demons or the Raritan River Rats (heh) or something like that. It would be SWEET.

As a resident of Edison, I am 110% behind this idea. NB/Piscataway is 40 minutes to an hour away from Newark and it would be where a lot of NJ fans are.

Except...where are you going to put an arena? The NB/Piscataway area is pretty full as is. I'm trying to think of some large open spaces on where to put an arena, but I'm coming up empty. Then again, I don't have to build this thing; so I wouldn't know where to put it anyway.

Still, if it's possible, I would love to see a NJ minor league team in NB/Piscataway. Call it the Central Jersey Demons or the Raritan River Rats (heh) or something like that. It would be SWEET.
Maybe out on Busch if they did it as a partnership between NJD and RU. There seems to be some open space out there.

Maybe out on Busch if they did it as a partnership between NJD and RU. There seems to be some open space out there.


That's a cluster f area and RU is always looking to expand.

How about the old Ford Plant on Route 1 or the old GM plant in Linden?

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=piscataway,+nj&ll=40.517518,-74.457200&spn=0.010879,0.021567&t=k&hl=en

There seems to be some space near the football stadium, could keep the same parking scheme and just lose maybe a couple soccer fields.

Busch campus is almost packed as is. I *guess* you can find room by Rutgers Stadium, but it'd be tight; I don't know if it's enough either. Busch campus is not always easy to get to or around, either (I say this after 4+ years of commuting to there).


How about the old Ford Plant on Route 1 or the old GM plant in Linden?

Ford Plant on Rt. 1 (literally walking distance to where I live) is a negative. Plans are already set to build homes there.

Here are a couple of articles from the Albany papers:

Troy Record: River Rats face uncertain future in new year (http://www.troyrecord.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15791254&BRD=1170&PAG=461&dept_id=31002&rfi=6)

Times Union: Rats may hook up with new franchise (http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=431670&category=RIVERRATS&BCCode=&newsdate=12/21/2005)

How about...the old GM plant in Linden?
Oh Lord, no!
}:-(>
As if 1&9 weren't bad enough...
Besides, I wouldn't want to be there if there's a chemical emergency at Merck.

Actually I was thinking either on Livingston toward the preserve or a bit of the preserve, on Cook (actually, that old Sears property on Route 1 that abuts Cook), or near Stadium and Yurcak.

There's room.. Rutgers has a massive campus.

The key is to keep it on the outskirts so its accessible to the public and not disrupting but still accessible to the students.

NJdevs: yeah yeah, funny. Rutgers is going to a bowl, at least things are getting better.

Actually I was thinking either on Livingston toward the preserve or a bit of the preserve, on Cook (actually, that old Sears property on Route 1 that abuts Cook), or near Stadium and Yurcak.

There's room.. Rutgers has a massive campus.

The key is to keep it on the outskirts so its accessible to the public and not disrupting but still accessible to the students.


Oh, I imagine there would be an absolute outrage if anyone touches the preserve. But Cook or the Sears property could work, now that I think of it.

I don't think it would happen, but it's nice to dream regardless...

Or they could use all that wooded land between Joyce Kilmer Ave and Suttons (northeast of the RAC) on Livingston.

The added benefit there is that they could build it for basketball and hockey and the damn building would be used a good 80-90 times a year.

Have to keep the acoustic feel of the RAC in mind if that's the case, but...

There's a ton of land Rutgers has there... so much available, so many places to put stuff.. I was just browsing it on google maps.. satellite images... even ignoring the preserve... altho piscataway had no problem allowing juts into it for developments on the south end.

but busch and livingston have plenty of room for a nice arena.

And of course, cook.. the only drawback to cook is walking/quick bus for students.

LETS DO IT. It's perfect.

E-mail the devils suggesting it.

App.com: Lakewood Arena Falls Through (http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060105/NEWS/60105017)

App.com: Lakewood Arena Falls Through (http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060105/NEWS/60105017)

:handclap:

Not that it really makes a difference. The ball is still in Albany's court whether to renew the contract.

Good. Because there is no better site than New Brunswick/Piscataway.

- Rail (AMTRAK and NJ Transit)
- NJ Turnpike, Route 1, I-287, Route 18, and GSP all close by
- Central location - an hour to NYC, a little more to Philly
- Rutgers University (State University of NJ)

Could put the Arena on the campus/border of the campus and put RU basketball (Big East Conference) in the same building. They need to replace the LBAC.

This is a total slam dunk. There is no better place for the Devils' minor league team than there - it also satisfies what I feel is an important condition of being within an hour of Newark to truly capitalize on the primary fanbase of the Devils, yet, central enough to support ALL of New Jersey including South Jersey, to broaden the reach of the NEW JERSEY Devils throughout the state.

Let's get it done.