Deadline week PT- Expansion Cities?

[Smarch 3,196]

VHLE Destinations

 

With the Victory Hockey League announcing the addition of the third league, the Victory Hockey League: Europe Vacation. The VHLE as it will be called, much to the chagrin to one of the men in charge of the new league, is expected to house players between 200-399 TPE. In today’s article we wish to got outside what might be considered the norm, and go over some long shots as the next city to play host to a VHLE franchise.

 

Gothenburg, Sweden:

 

Although the VHLM already had a team based in Gothenburg, with the Gothenburg Eagles, we believe the VHL would be in a prime position to return to the Swedish city. Everyone wants a Swedish based team in Vasters or Stockholm, but Gothenburg has a strong hockey following that could support another team alongside the Gothenburg Indians. With a 12,000 seat arena already built and filled almost each time the Indians play, a VHLE team in Gothenburg could benefit from the established arena and hockey crazed fan base. 

 

Berlin, Germany:

 

When the VHL finally expanded to Germany with the Cologne Express back in Season Thirty-One, German hockey fans were elated, but that excitement quickly faded when the team was rumoured to be leaving in Season Fifty-Seven. The league leaving had to do with the bad position of the league at the time and not the performance or support of the team, so heading back to Germany given the opportunity should be a nature fit, even if it’s not a return of a VHL franchise. 

 

Paris, France:

 

I am basing this selection off the early push France got from the VHL community. With a population of over 2 million people and a arena that can hold 15,000 fans for hockey, Paris has the intangibles to be successful, only question is will the fans show up each night. France has been showing better on the international stage for hockey, so hopefully the excitement from that can carry over to the country first VHL franchise.

 

Zurich, Switzerland:

 

While we understand the league already has a team based in the near by Davos, we believe another franchise can work in Switzerland. Bern of course was a VHLM franchise until their departure to Las Vegas in Season Fifty-Four, which again like many moves in the league had nothing to do with performance of support. With many current and past hockey superstars coming from Switzerland, the country at least deserves to be included in a serious conversation for the VHLE franchises. 

 

Manchester, England: 

 

While the VHL recently expanded to England, with the London United franchise, we believe a team in a country the size of England has to be worth a look. Manchester has the Manchester Storm hockey club that was founded in 2015, but the club currently plays out of a 2,167 seat arena, which wouldn’t work for the VHL. The city has the fifth largest population in England with 547,627, but is included in the Greater Manchester area that included 2.8 million people. With many different transportation options available, a team in Manchester could have access to lots of “local” support. With no current infrastructure for a VHLE team, this may be the biggest hurdle to get a team in Manchester

 

Capped TPE for the week of June 14th-21