The Burnaby Express are one step closer to returning to their original home in Coquitlam.
They filed their application for re-location to the BCHL Tuesday. The application is for the franchise to return to their original home in Coquitlam for the 10-11 season where the Express called home from 2001-2005.
The application is now in the hands of the BCHL where it will be reviewed then forwarded to the BCHL's board of Governors for a vote during the annual meeting during the All Star Game festivities in Nanaimo in January.
Attendance has steadily declined from an average of 992 in the Express first season in Burnaby in 05-06 their Royal Bank Cup season, to 583 through 13 home games this season. The Express average attendance was 1091 in their final season in Coquitlam in 04-05.
The Coquitlam Sports Centre where the Express called home in Coquitlam is currently under massive renovations that will see the facility dramatically improved from when the Express left in 2005.
Click below to hear my interview with Express President and GM Darcy Rota and Head Coach Dave Mclellan on the application for re-location filed Tuesday.
For more on this story read Dan Olson's article from the Coquitlam Now Newspaper by clicking on the link below.
Click here to read the article
To check out the Coquitlam Sports Centre renovation project website click on the link below.
Click here to visit Coquitlam Sports Centre renovation project website
6 comments:
I personally don't think this move will make much of a difference. Location is not the problem for the Burnaby Express.
I am suprised that a coaching change has not been made to try and get something out of this season. If attendance has been bad this far just wait to the second half when it is obvious the Express are well out of playoff contention.
The coaches have been given assurances they will remain behind the bench for the rest of the season.
I am just thankful I did not renew my tickets when I heard the Coach had his contract renewed. The few games I have attended have been lacking emotion and most important entertainment. At some point, you have to hold the coach responsible instead of the steady parade of players being brought in and out of the program....
ARE YOU KIDDING??? THIS IS AWESOME!!! COQUITLAM IS NUTS ABOUT HOCKEY AND THIS IS WHERE WE WANT IT! WE HAVE WANTED THE EXPRESS TO COME BACK FOR YEARS, AND WE GOT OUR WISH! THIS IS WHAT WE WANTED BABY!!! i just hope the BCHL lets them come back!
I have to agree Location is not the problem. The coaching has been terrible for at least 1 1/2 seasons now. There is little entertainment value as a steady stream of players have come and gone. Those leaving have usually gone on to success (ie. Kevin Jebson, Spencer Bennett), this leads me to believe coaching is at fault . I've been a season ticket holder for 4 years and have watched a steady decline in this team. As for attendance there is little to no marketing of this team in the Burnaby/New West area other than a few blurbs in the local papers. There is Douglas College, BCIT, and SFU all close by and a great opportunity to get some younger people interested in this team , but I don't see it . If a move occurs I will probably come out to 5 - 10 games just to keep supporting junior hockey in the lower mainland!
Post a Comment