The Oilers begin due diligence in Oklahoma City

by Derek Zona on Jan 13, 2010 10:30 AM MST in News

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I had a conversation with Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett three weeks ago. During that conversation we talked about the possibilities of an AHL team in Oklahoma City as well as the arena lease that the new ownership group, Prodigal Hockey, had signed. We discussed the outstanding hockey market in the area and the now-defunct Oklahoma City Blazers, a CHL team that drew 8,000 fans per game. We danced around the topic of an Edmonton affiliation, though it has been rumored since July, because nothing was set in stone.

Now comes word that an Edmonton-area marketing firm is doing some due-diligence in the Oklahoma City market. OKC Slackers, the only forum dedicated to Oklahoma hockey had a couple of posts up yesterday afternoon with reports of former Oklahoma City Blazers season ticket holders receiving phone calls asking them to take a survey about pro hockey in Oklahoma City. Users reported many questions about preferences, including the name of a new team, with the survey taker suggesting Oil-based names like "Oilers" and "Oil Cats". The firm doing the surveys claims that they are not affiliated with the Edmonton Oilers, but that they were simply hired to do marketing research about the possibilities of professional ice hockey in the Oklahoma City area.

Combine this with the debut of Prodigal Hockey's new web page and it looks as if though AHL hockey with an Edmonton affiliation in Oklahoma City is imminent.

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Connect the Dots LA LA LA LA!!!

by HF4L on Jan 13, 2010 11:10 AM MST reply actions

Maybe Cracker instead of Oil

“Oil-based names like “Oilers” and “Oil Cats”."

They’re kidding right?

Blazers
B-L-A-Z-E-R-S

If they want their AHL team to be the Oilers,
they should be looking to Tulsa

by Mr DeBakey on Jan 13, 2010 3:20 PM MST reply actions

there is no worry it will be the Blazers

by HF4L on Jan 13, 2010 5:49 PM MST reply actions

Something I heard them ask me about a Founders Club. Where you would purchase season tickets for 3 years. And you would get premium parking(assuming underneath the Incomparable Myriad). You would get a numbered plaque, and some team apparel.

by HF4L on Jan 13, 2010 6:50 PM MST reply actions

the Oilers and their AHL franchise

I wonder why the Oilers want to bring in another ownership group. They own the rights to the AHL roadrunners franchise, so why do they need a local ownership group. As the interview mentioned, there is no hockey in OC, so if the Oilers signed a exclusive hockey contract with the Cox Center then they would control the future of hockey in a large american market. So if the NHL wanted to expand or relocate a team their, they would have to buy the hockey rights to the Cox Center from the Oilers. Plus, if the Blazers really could bring in that many fans (and corporate business) than the Oilers/Katz could make more money in the long run in hockey operations, then by selling their AHL franchise.

one of the founders and most prolific writers of Bringing Back the Glory

by B.C.B. on Jan 14, 2010 10:42 AM MST reply actions

The ownership group already has the infrastructure setup, and then they don’t have to worry about finding people to run the day to day. Just my opinion, Prodigal Hockey may just run the day to day operations of the team. Most of the people the Prodigal Hockey employs already does alot of day to day stuff for other events. And they have contacts with getting potential corporate sponsorship for the team.

by HF4L on Jan 14, 2010 11:50 AM MST up reply actions

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