Lemieux getting a 3rd sheet

[Denis Lemiuex]

Among other things,

 

https://butlerradio.com/lemieux-sports-complex-to-expand-after-receiving-grant/

[nemesis8679]

If it truly is for testing safety equipment, that's awesome. 

If it's just a ruse to get half a million in free grant money for private businesses, that's shameful. 

[hockeyisgreat]

Pretty sure they are already doing some of that with Covestro!  I thought I heard that they are trying to improve the Boards to make them safer!

[Spear and Magic Helmet]

7 hours ago, nemesis8679 said:

If it truly is for testing safety equipment, that's awesome. 

If it's just a ruse to get half a million in free grant money for private businesses, that's shameful. 

If it helps, technically UPMC is a non-profit. They own the building and I think the business.

[forbin]

This smells a lot like the start of building room for the rumored USHL expansion team….

[Happy Hockey Fan]

16 minutes ago, forbin said:

This smells a lot like the start of building room for the rumored USHL expansion team….

That would be awesome.

[Novos51]

On 12/2/2022 at 1:50 AM, nemesis8679 said:

If it truly is for testing safety equipment, that's awesome. 

If it's just a ruse to get half a million in free grant money for private businesses, that's shameful. 

I’m sure it’s both

[sadday4hockey]

Human Performance Lab.......... sounds like something out of the former Eastern Bloc and current CCP

I remember when we played hockey in the street every day after school and I couldn't have had more fun.

What happened to the fun part?

[Pucks11]

1 hour ago, sadday4hockey said:

Human Performance Lab.......... sounds like something out of the former Eastern Bloc and current CCP

I remember when we played hockey in the street every day after school and I couldn't have had more fun.

What happened to the fun part?

$$$$$$$$$$

[Eddie Shore]

On 12/2/2022 at 11:30 AM, forbin said:

This smells a lot like the start of building room for the rumored USHL expansion team….

A USHL expansion team?  The area doesn’t support the Junior Team, the ACHA club teams or the NCAA D1 & D3 organizations.  Guess they want to play in front of a bunch of empty seats ?

[PensRule]

There appears to be some early signs of construction happening near the facility already... anyone know if it is related? And how long would such an expansion project take after kicking off? Exciting stuff!

[forbin]

4 hours ago, Eddie Shore said:

A USHL expansion team?  The area doesn’t support the Junior Team, the ACHA club teams or the NCAA D1 & D3 organizations.  Guess they want to play in front of a bunch of empty seats ?

True, however none of those teams have a brand new rink in a highly populated above average income area that is tied to the Pens name. If done properly and branded right, it will be very successful. 

[dazedandconfused]

It seems like a lot of premature excitement about something that's at best a long-shot. Has the USHL announced any expansion plans? I can't find anything on the website about any expansion plans. The key to the USHL success and why it has equaled or surpassed the OHL is because they've never given in to expansion so it has never been watered down. Why change that?

Based on what little has trickled out this is actually being built as the NHL practice facility so they no longer have to share with a youth organization and the general population of insane 5 year old and up parents.

I also don't even think it's going to be in the same proximity to the current rinks but instead back by the hotel.

If nothing else, maybe they'll consider putting in enough seating so that all fans who want to watch HS Championship games can actually get a seat.

[Eddie Shore]

13 hours ago, dazedandconfused said:

It seems like a lot of premature excitement about something that's at best a long-shot. Has the USHL announced any expansion plans? I can't find anything on the website about any expansion plans.

Really?  You did see where they said, “hey let’s put an expansion team in an area where an NCAA D1 program just folded, but our model will be successful because we will put our team 15 minutes up the road where all the rich people live”.

I’m being told this will make is a huge success……….

[RJUSHL]

14 hours ago, dazedandconfused said:

The key to the USHL success and why it has equaled or surpassed the OHL is because they've never given in to expansion so it has never been watered down. Why change that?

I think an even bigger reason the USHL has had success is that players still maintain NCAA eligibility, unlike the Canadian Major Junior leagues (OHL, QMJHL, and WHL). More and more top Canadians are even going the USHL --> NCAA route. They play in a fantastic junior league, and then continue to develop while getting that college experience.

But you're right, fewer teams does tend to concentrate talent. I know many will disagree but I don't think it's too far fetched to think that the average talent level on a USHL team is better than many CHL teams. Even if that's not true yet, it's trending that way.

Personally, I doubt there are plans for a USHL expansion team in Cranberry. I doubt there are even plans for a NAHL team. But it wouldn't surprise me if they do have plans for some money-making questionable Tier III junior program.

Edited December 15, 2022 by RJUSHL

[Spear and Magic Helmet]

Just out of curiosity - where have people been saying the CHL (Canadian Major Junior) is being passed by the USHL?? I'm not arguing the point, just haven't heard this before.

[Lifelongbender]

20 hours ago, Spear and Magic Helmet said:

Just out of curiosity - where have people been saying the CHL (Canadian Major Junior) is being passed by the USHL?? I'm not arguing the point, just haven't heard this before.

I was curious about the same thing.

[aaaahockey]

20 hours ago, Spear and Magic Helmet said:

Just out of curiosity - where have people been saying the CHL (Canadian Major Junior) is being passed by the USHL?? I'm not arguing the point, just haven't heard this before.

https://thejuniorhockeynews.com/rating-the-junior-hockey-leagues-2022-edition-top-twenty-leagues-at-all-levels/

[Wes]

On 12/15/2022 at 8:40 AM, Eddie Shore said:

Really?  You did see where they said, “hey let’s put an expansion team in an area where an NCAA D1 program just folded, but our model will be successful because we will put our team 15 minutes up the road where all the rich people live”.

I’m being told this will make is a huge success……….

IMHO the RMU D1 programs folded due to the former President of the college.  Not due to lack of interest.

 

[dazedandconfused]

On 12/15/2022 at 8:40 AM, Eddie Shore said:

Really?  You did see where they said, “hey let’s put an expansion team in an area where an NCAA D1 program just folded, but our model will be successful because we will put our team 15 minutes up the road where all the rich people live”.

I’m being told this will make is a huge success……….

Who are "they"?

I see that's what Forbin said but I didn't realize that Forbin was the Commissioner of the USHL either.

The USHL website has nothing on it about future expansion so if you know where there is something other than Forbin's opinion then please enlighten us instead of being a massengale's product.

[forbin]

A USHL expansion team to Pittsburgh is not MY opinion, nor is it by any means a verified fact right now. I am only sharing what I heard from a long time friend and business partner who is now a very reputable person directly involved in the planning and construction of the new ice surface at UPMC. I don’t come on here to spread MY created rumors. I have no skin in that game so I apologize if I have misrepresented the information provided to me.

Do I think it would be awesome to have a USHL team in Pittsburgh? Yes I do. I’d most certainly buy season tickets. 

[Danner27]

12 hours ago, aaaahockey said:

https://thejuniorhockeynews.com/rating-the-junior-hockey-leagues-2022-edition-top-twenty-leagues-at-all-levels/

Don’t ever listen to this guy. He’s employed by the usphl. He owned a team at one point. He was an advisor at one point m. He’s has the ncdc ranked higher than the bchl lmao. 

[aaaahockey]

11 hours ago, Danner27 said:

Don’t ever listen to this guy. He’s employed by the usphl. He owned a team at one point. He was an advisor at one point m. He’s has the ncdc ranked higher than the bchl lmao. 

I'm not listening to anyone personally  I just posted it for people who were asking where it was being said.  

[Danner27]

5 hours ago, aaaahockey said:

I'm not listening to anyone personally  I just posted it for people who were asking where it was being said.  

Just giving a heads up those that don’t know who this guy is. He’s even got the usphl premier ahead of the cchl ?

[dazedandconfused]

Danner..... he's such a clown. Full of contempt for everything because his kids didn't "make it" so he belittles E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G

The OHL has 20 teams. The USHL has 16. Here are the last 4 NHL drafts going back to pre-covid days

 

2022 NHL draft

USHL - 57 players

OHL - 35 players

 

2021 NHL draft

USHL - 50 players

OHL - 30 players

 

2020 NHL draft

USHL - 51 players

OHL - 31 players

 

2019 NHL draft

USHL - 52 players

OHL - 25 players

 

So...... for those who asked I think these facts should speak for themselves? But we all know the world today doesn't believe in facts..... it just gives in to those who yell the loudest.