Saskatoon Star-Phoenix: All systems go for Saskato

[Shootmaster_44]

quote:All systems go for Saskatoon indoor soccer team

Clint Walper, The StarPhoenix

Published: Saturday, September 22, 2007

The Saskatoon Accelerators franchise is living up to its moniker.

At a media conference Friday at Credit Union Center, team president Mel Kowalchuk announced new developments that have jetted both the team and the Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League (CMISL) forward.

Edmonton's Darren Hood was introduced as the team's new majority owner after securing 80 per cent ownership from Kowalchuk, while Saskatoon's Brian O'Shea slides into the general manager role.

Hood, 33, has been involved in construction and the oil and gas industry for 13 years. O'Shea has been a Saskatchewan resident for 30 years, working in both sales and finance and has been actively involved in the local sports scene.

The potential of the league is what attracted both Hood and O'Shea.

"It's pretty huge and a pretty cool adventure," said Hood, who's been friends with the Kowalchuk family for more than 20 years. "It's something outside the box and it's a lot of fun. I'd like to see more people involved in it, it promotes family involvement and values and it's just good stuff."

Added O'Shea: "I'm very excited to be part of the sporting community as a whole. To be able to try and bring it to another level where more younger people are playing and it adds excitement into the sport would be great."

The CMISL was introduced to Saskatoon in March when the Accelerators played a doubleheader showcase against the Winnipeg Alliance FC in front of 2,102 fans at CUC. The league's original plan was to launch a full schedule beginning in November 2008, but it's now set to begin this winter.

"We felt there was enough energy, support and success in the centres that we tried it in to warrant going forward," said Kowalchuk.

"In Winnipeg's case we drew almost 8,000 people and in Edmonton we had approximately 4,000 people on fairly short notice. Overall, we felt that it was extremely successful."

The Accelerators will play a 12-game schedule, with six home and six away dates. While the schedule is still being ironed out, Kowalchuk pinpoints Dec. 28 as a likely start date, with the regular season wrapping up in late March. Playoffs would follow.

Edmonton, Winnipeg and Calgary join Saskatoon for the inaugural season. Expansion looms on the horizon.

"We're going to showcase the game in Prince George, B.C., on Dec. 1-2, and based on how that goes, we have a couple of gentlemen who, if they like what they see, will make franchises for both Kelowna and Prince George," said Kowalchuk.

A couple of eastern cities, with Hamilton leading the way, are also expressing interest.

From a personal viewpoint, Kowalchuk said retaining only 20 per cent of the Accelerators was bittersweet.

"I understand why the league wanted me to step aside and take on a majority owner so I could focus on promoting the league, but it was difficult when I sat back and thought about it because I wanted to own Saskatoon."

cwalper@sp.canwest.com

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007

Well I'll be damned, some news out of the CMISL and from Saskatoon of all places. Good to see that the Accelerators have an owner finally and things are falling into place. Looks like Kelowna and Prince George are interested in expansion teams and Hamilton wants in as well. This is good to hear and I will definitely be curious as to what tickets will be like.

[Cheeta]

3 month season? Whole scheme was weird to start but it's getting weirder as we go along.

Well, I guess walk before you run.

[Shootmaster_44]

Three months is likely the best they could do as hockey playoffs begin in late March/early April so that would mean there would be few available dates in the buildings. Since they wish to kickoff after Christmas, that gives them a 3 month window to complete the season and wrap up their playoffs before the buildings are unavailable.

I'm glad that this league is still on track. I've never been a soccer fan before, but I was curious and checked out the Showcase Series and had a good time. I was getting a little worried that I'd never see another game in Saskatoon. But this news relieved me, now hopefully this owner puts some money into the logo and uniforms of the Accelerators. The logo is pretty ugly and the uniforms were very plain for the Showcase Series.

[mrpopulistfutebol]

While I kind agree with you Cheeta that the scheme is getting somewhat weirder as it goes, I am kind of glad that at least it will be getting off the ground. Shootmaster_44, I agree with you that it would be hard for bookings of dates in buildings. If you look at the MTS centre calender (http://www.mtscentre.ca/calendar/index.php), you will see it becomes hard to book anything on weekends in January and February, as well the Labatt Brier is at the Phone Booth in March of 2008. It is perhaps possible at the MTS Centre to have a CMISL game in the afternoon (about noon) and then have a AHL game that same evening.

It will be interesting to see how it works out.

[Shootmaster_44]

I think you'll see a lot of soccer in the afternoon/hockey in the evening doubleheaders in Saskatoon and Winnipeg. It makes sense since many other arenas do these sorts of doubleheaders. In fact in November I am heading to Cleveland and intend to see one of these transformations. I am going to the Cavaliers/Raptors NBA game in the afternoon and then coming back for the Lake Erie Monsters/Manitoba Moose AHL game in the evening.

I just hope that they use the afternoon slots for any of these doubleheaders. Last year in Minnesota, they tried a twilight doubleheader. The Kings/Wild NHL game went at in the evening slot (7/7:30 PM something like that) then at 11:30 PM they ran the Swarm/Rock NLL game. Apparently, the late game had very few fans turn up. So I hope the bright minds behind the CMISL don't decide to try this after a Blades or Moose game.

I don't know Winnipeg at all, but if there is a conflict between the AHL and the CMISL at the MTS Centre, is there another suitable arena that the Alliance could use? I know here in Saskatoon, essentially there isn't a major arena that could be used. The best they could do is hold a game at either one of the Soccer Centres (which have little to no seating) or at Harold Latrace Arena, which at best holds 1,500.

[JamesW]

I like the idea of starting slow and getting bigger. I think this league has potential. The owners seem to be smart people that know how to make money, isn't that what this sport needs?

[Guest HamiltonSteelers]

If there is a real owner with real money who wants to put a real side in Hamilton, then good luck and I'll see him/her there.

But I'd rather outdoor (I know, who wouldn't).

HINT : Our colours are black, gold and white. Nothing else applies.

[mrpopulistfutebol]

quote:Originally posted by Shootmaster_44

I think you'll see a lot of soccer in the afternoon/hockey in the evening doubleheaders in Saskatoon and Winnipeg. It makes sense since many other arenas do these sorts of doubleheaders. In fact in November I am heading to Cleveland and intend to see one of these transformations. I am going to the Cavaliers/Raptors NBA game in the afternoon and then coming back for the Lake Erie Monsters/Manitoba Moose AHL game in the evening.

I just hope that they use the afternoon slots for any of these doubleheaders. Last year in Minnesota, they tried a twilight doubleheader. The Kings/Wild NHL game went at in the evening slot (7/7:30 PM something like that) then at 11:30 PM they ran the Swarm/Rock NLL game. Apparently, the late game had very few fans turn up. So I hope the bright minds behind the CMISL don't decide to try this after a Blades or Moose game.

I don't know Winnipeg at all, but if there is a conflict between the AHL and the CMISL at the MTS Centre, is there another suitable arena that the Alliance could use? I know here in Saskatoon, essentially there isn't a major arena that could be used. The best they could do is hold a game at either one of the Soccer Centres (which have little to no seating) or at Harold Latrace Arena, which at best holds 1,500.

I could see a lot of potential for success if their is cross over promotion. Example, Get half price on manitoba moose game tonight with purchase of a Winnipeg Alliance FC ticket or vice versa.

We will wait and see what the Alliance pulls or Moose does.

[Shootmaster_44]

I'm not sure what this means exactly. But if you go to Calgary United FC's webpage (www.calgaryunitedfc.ca) there is a flash movie that says on January 19 & 20, 2008 at the Stampede Corral they are playing all 3 other teams. I wonder if this is how the schedule will work? Each team holding a mini-tournament? That would essentially mean each team would hold 2 series, where they would get their 6 home games in. But I can't see that working because your 6 road games would consist of 2 of these tournaments, leaving one team without a home date.

The only thing I can guess is that the proposed start date of December 28th has been pushed back and this is a pre-season tournament. The one good thing for the Calgary United FC and Edmonton Drillers is that the NLL cancelled their 2008 season, so that means there are now available dates at the Saddledome and Rexall Place for any sort of playoff games (series?) the CMISL wishes to hold.

[Shootmaster_44]

Also I found at http://www.city.pg.bc.ca/cncentre/events/edmontondrillers/ that there is indeed a scheduled Showcase Game for Prince George. It is December 1st and 2nd at the CN Centre in PG. It will feature the Edmonton Drillers playing Prince George FC. It looks like Prince George FC will be made up for professional players from the area. I know nothing about soccer in that neck of the woods, so I have no idea if there are indeed pro caliber players in PG.

[Jason]

With lacrosse out of the picture this year, it seems like the CMISL will have a better chance to grab a bit of attention in Edmonton and Calgary. I still think ticket prices are way too high, but hopefully it can grow into something decent.

Jason

[jasonm]

Canadian league to stick with weekend tournaments in second season

John Korobanik, The Edmonton Journal

Published: 2:47 am

EDMONTON - Baby steps, said Mel Kowalchuk, baby steps.

That's the formula the Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League is following in its bid to establish itself as a viable operation in Western Canada. The league announced Thursday its 2008 schedule will kick off in January with the teams in Edmonton, Calgary and Saskatoon each hosting four-team, round-robin weekend tournaments. The other league team in Winnipeg is unable to host after losing its dates in the MTS Centre.

"We had the dates but a couple of major concerts came in," said Kowalchuk, the league president. "They can make so much more on major concerts, so we had to step aside."

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Font:****The actual dates and sites will be announced by the individual teams, with the Edmonton Drillers to reveal its schedule today. Edmonton will play an exhibition home game Dec. 28 against Saskatoon and will close out the regular season March 9 in Saskatoon. The Drillers will also play two games against an all-star side Dec. 1-2 in Prince George, B.C.

Kowalchuk said the league was pleased with the results of its inaugural season that featured showcase weekends in each city. The four weekends saw two teams play each other twice and attracted a total of 15,177 fans.

"We were all very pleased with last year," he said. "The only negative ... was the amount of rent we had to pay in Edmonton. Edmonton's rent and TicketMaster charges totalled more than the rest of (the league) combined ... it was ridiculous."

The owners decided to take another step towards a possible full regular-season schedule by playing tournament weekends this season.

"The one thing we noticed a few years ago is that soccer tournaments seem to draw well and it's easier to put on a tournament than a game a week," explained Kowalchuk. "We don't know if it's

going to work or not, but we agreed to showcase this over a two-year period and we decided to take a little step forward."

The goal this season, he said, is for the teams to break even financially.

"Winnipeg is obviously not going to break even (with no home games) but we're hoping the other three teams break even and if we break even we're doing things right."

He said the league is stable financially, thanks to a tight control on budgets.

"We had one owner getting carried away and we pulled his horns in very quickly ... because we all agreed to take baby steps. We understand we're the low end of the totem pole and we want to make sure this works."

To that end, all team budgets next year will probably have to be approved by the commissioner and president, to ensure the league doesn't outspend itself.

"One thing I noticed when I was with the Drillers (of the Major Indoor Soccer League) in the mid '90s, we made huge mistakes as a league," said Kowalchuk. "We were paying players $40,000, $50,000 each. I remember telling the other guys, why are paying them this, where would they go if we only offer them $20,000 or $25,000? For four months work, that's not bad ... I would take that if I were 25."

The league was spread across North America, creating huge travel expenses.

"When we shipped our team to Tampa it was a $20,000 to $25,000 bill for one game. I doubt they took that in at the gate. I used to tell the league no one in Edmonton gives a crap who is coming from Tampa, why don't we play an

unbalanced schedule. They said, no we have to keep up this pro image."

jkorobanik@thejournal.canwest.com

[Shootmaster_44]

This seems like a surprise to me. I'm surprised it will only be weekend tournaments. It also doesn't sound good that there isn't another place in Winnipeg they could hold games. Each succeeding announcement lowers the excitement I had for this venture. Hopefully, they launch a full season in 2009 though.

[DoyleG]

quote:Originally posted by Shootmaster_44

This seems like a surprise to me. I'm surprised it will only be weekend tournaments. It also doesn't sound good that there isn't another place in Winnipeg they could hold games. Each succeeding announcement lowers the excitement I had for this venture. Hopefully, they launch a full season in 2009 though.

Stop setting the bar so damn high.