Kansas City Does Not Place Well In Latest NHL Study

Recently, the American Business Journals along with sister publication Sports Business Journal conducted a study of what markets have the necessary income bases to support an NHL team.
The study (which estimated that an NHL team needs an income base of $37.6 billion.) analyzed the latest income data for 58 U.S. and Canadian markets that are currently outside the NHL, seeking the best candidates for expansion or relocation. Of the 58 markets only 22 have the necessary income bases to support an NHL team. Among the prominent candidates are Houston, Las Vegas, Orlando and Seattle.
The study doesn’t bode well for Kansas City which ranks 57, only ahead of Cleveland and behind such cities as Tulsa, Akron and Green Bay.
For a full list of markets click here.

Missouri Mavericks Extend Head Coach Scott Hillman's Contract

Missouri Mavericks’ president and general manager Brent Thiessen announced Friday the Central Hockey League (CHL) club has extended head coach Scott Hillman’s contract for two more seasons. Hillman will guide the Mavericks at least through the 2013-14 season.
Overall, Hillman has led the Mavericks to a 107-71-18 regular-season record in three seasons for a .592 win percentage, and the Mavericks have made the playoffs in each of their first three seasons. Missouri is also the only team in the CHL to have won a playoff series in each of the last three seasons.
“If you look at where we were in year one to where we are now, it was an easy decision to bring Scott back,” said Thiessen. “Our goal is to bring a championship to our great fans in Independence, and extending Scott’s contract is a step in the right direction if we want to reach our goals.”
The Mavericks are also coming off their best season in which the team went 39-21-6 for 84 points finishing tied for second place in the Turner Conference and just three points out of first place. Hillman, a native of  LaSalle, Ontario, also guided the Mavericks to the team’s deepest playoff run this past year falling in game seven to the Fort Wayne Komets in the Turner Conference Finals, just one game short of the Presidents’ Cup Finals.
Prior to coaching the Mavericks, Hillman captured back-to-back championships with the Southern Professional Hockey League’s (SPHL) Knoxville Ice Bears. During his two seasons with the Ice Bears, his team compiled a record of 67-32-12 (.660), and he was named SPHL Coach of the Year in 2008-09.

Easter Weekend Preview

This weekend is lite on home team activity. The Mavericks are waiting to see who they will play in the next round of the CHL Playoffs and the Command are on the road against Chicago. You have a couple of avenues to get a hockey fix this weekend. You can head west on I-70 and catch the Topeka RoadRunners in the NAHL Playoffs. The RoadRunners will host the Texas Tornado for the first two games of the South Division playoffs on Friday, April 6th and Saturday, April 7th at Landon Arena. Both games will begin at 7:05 p.m.

The RoadRunners went into the final weekend of the regular season tied with Texas for the second seed and the right to have home ice for the first postseason series. Texas applied the pressure by winning on Friday and Saturday. Topeka responded by dominating the Odessa Jackalopes, winning 6-3 and 3-1 , securing their playoff position.
If you decide to catch these games. I suggest that before the game you stop by Blind Tiger Brewery and Restaurant for an early dinner. The place has great food and some nice beers on tap, you won’t be disappointed.
If you rather stay close to home, you can head to The Blue Line Sports Bar. The place is paradise for the KC hockey fan. There are televisions all over the place and every available game able to be viewed. The menu is outstanding also. I suggest the Mavericks Mac & Cheese or the Scouts Meat Loaf.
You can still get a Mavericks fix this weekend. Carlyle Lewis and Mac will be at Shocking Prices on Saturday from 12:00-1:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
The Kansas City Command are heading to Chicago for a Saturday night game against the defending Central Division champion Rush!  It will mark the fourth straight game for KC against a 2011 AFL division champ.  The schedule has been tough but the players and coaches are working hard to improve and get that first win to begin the build towards a playoff run.  There is still a lot of season remaining with 15 games left to play.
The game will be broadcast on Sports Radio 810 WHB. The game can also be viewed on the web via the team's Ustream channel, accessible at www.kccommand.com/webcasts.
While none of the local teams are hosting games this weekend you still have some nice options to enjoy some arena sports. 

The Blue Line Club, hockey themed bar opens in KC @ the River Market.

The Blue Line Club at 5th and Walnut downtown Kansas City is now open.

Enjoy the hockey themed bar and grill with great tv viewing of all NHL games and select NCAA college hockey tournament action.

Great menu, great bar and where hockey is front and center.

Look for Stanley Cup watch party there during the Stanley Cup Finals. 

Website and Facebook pages are: 

thebluelinekc.com

on facebook.com