1983 was a rough year for the Blues and not participating in the Entry Draft certainly cost them a chance to add a potential franchise player from a solid draft.
Try telling that to a jerk in Edmonton by the name of Mike Gray. He's all for teams in the sun belt, even those that have done nothing but lose money. Yet, he's dead against the NHL putting a team back in Winnipeg. Some people just make no sense at all.
The Saskatchewan Rush sell out almost every game. I know lacrosse only has around 20 games in a season but I think they could at least put Edmontons AHL team in Saskatoon instead of like OKC or wherever it is. That would make way more sense.
I'm amazed that Saskatoon has not been an AHL cities for years already. The fit would be perfect. The 1980s are long gone and Saskatoon should just forget about the pipe dream.
I was a junior in high school living in a small town in western Illinois (near STL) when the move to Saskatoon was announced. I read the headline in the Globe Democrat during study hall. I freaked!!!!! This was not good. Went around school asking "Saskatoon? Who the hell even knows what that is anyway?" This was just being bitter and derisive - I was familiar with Saskatchewan. Ironically I mostly just knew it as a place that Hockey players come from. (Since then I've been to SK a few times and know it much better, and hockey players come from St. Louis now...but I digress.) I was mad at Ralston Purina!! Even asked mom to not buy their Dog Chow. (She always bought the cheep generic anyway - so she just shook her head like I was an idiot) Quickly I found hope when learning that the NHL had to approve the move, and it was looking like they would not. When the vote came in our favor there was titanic relief! All the drama that followed worried me less. With the move blocked I thought it would work itself out. Maybe I was being naive? I found it really strange when the league took over the Blues. I was not aware a league could do that. Mostly I just felt grateful that the league seamed dedicated to keeping the Blues in St. Louis. Bettmen and current owners could learn a thing or two from that NHL. This is how you grow and maintain a solid fan base in a hockey market!! I don't remember being even a little bit upset about missing the draft. It had all ended with us still having our team and was very thankful!!! The shenanigans of R-P was behind us, and we had a future in which we could grow. 😀
Hard to believe this almost happened. Saint Louis is a great hockey town and shortly after this made the Conference finals in 1986. Best yet eventually getting Brett Hull I believe for goaltender Rick wamsley. So yes it worked out for the best look at the consecutive years making the playoffs go Blues always be in Saint lou.
I lived in Sask. at the time and it was a big deal. There even was a pre-order ticket (promissory) event of some kind which sold out a promised arena. I think it would have been best in Saskatoon to be more central. It would have been like the Riders as a province wide draw especially if named the Saskatchewan Blues. I remember hearing the NHL BOG killed it cuz they wouldn't have been a draw in other cities.
I live in Saskatchewan and I would love a team in Saskatoon and I think it will succeed and I only live an hour away from Saskatoon cuz I live in Prince Albert
I been a big Blues Fan since 1972 my first game that the Blues beat the Atlanta Flames 9-0. But I think that Saskatoon should had a shot at at team. Canada should get another team.
I’m watching this in 2020. Congratulations Hockey Guy. You have come a long way! You never have to worry about your legacy! I remember watching this video when it first came out. I think Saskatoon could support a NHL team. Not sure about Regina but they could. I put Saskatoon in my mock up for a Pro Canadian Hockey League should the Canadian NHL teams have to leave the NHL due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
You're too pie-in-the-sky. Saskatoon is too small to be of any interest to the NHL. If the League is to ever add another team in Canada; it will be Quebec City and that will probably be all that Canada gets. As for a pro Canadian Hockey League; look at how well the CFL draws in Toronto and Vancouver nowadays and consider how popular the idea would be.
1:24 Were defiantly not a prairie town. We're the biggest city in our province. Sure we aren't big by most "big city" standards but we are still decent in size.
Out of that list of draftees, if he were availabe I would think the Blues would have chosen Pat LaFontaine. My reason being that he was born in St. Louis and bringing the "hometown" boy would have played very well, and thats the kind of moves a lackluster franchise sometimes make. And as a 9 year old, I remember reading the paper when the Blues were as good as gone and I'll admit it... crying . haha
When/If Saskatoon or Moosejaw gets a team they'll be my new fave-till Hamilton gets their's.Then when the NORDS come back-they'll move back into top spot!
I remember the 1983 news when Saskatoon didn't get the Blues. I was crushed! To refused a team to move is wrong. Look at the Oakland Raiders for example, Al Davis didn't care! Saskatoon, Saskatchewan would be one of three Canadian spots for NHL landings for expansion franchises. The other two are Quebec and either Toronto-Markham or Hamilton. The league needs to expand into Canada anyway to build a strong presence where the strong hardcore fan base is located. I liken Saskatchewan to our Roughriders of the CFL and the Green Bay Packers of the NFL for support. Both are a provincial and state fan base support from around all points. In Saskatchewan, nearly half of the province is driven by energy business like coal & uranium, SaskTel with telecommunications, #4 in oil production in producing around the globe, and agriculture is still kicking around. We've grown a lot since 1983, Saskatoon has over 300k in population & Regina has nearing 270k, Saskatchewan has 1.1M in people in total and is growing at a faster rate than any time it's province's history. Only thing is, Saskatchewan is going to be transitioning between premiers soon within the same party which will change the dynamics of how my province of Saskatchewan will be run for the next 2 years. In August, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall announced he's stepping down after 10 years at the helm and the Roughriders of the CFL have a new stadium they're playing in this year after 80 years in the Mosiac Stadium. The arena in Saskatoon where the Blades play is roughly 15,125 in seating and is 28 years old. Also, taxes were risen by 1% in the last budget by a fiscally conservative government. STC Bus Service ceased to exist on May 31, 2017. It was his toughest budget for a popular premier which in a matter of a month lost 10% points in popularity polls. This is probably what prompted his resignation as premier which I predicted to friends that around 2017 or 2018, he would not stick around to fight the next election in around 2020. Another thing that baffles me is why Edmonton & Calgary put their AHL farm clubs in California and Vancouver also likewise in Utica, New York instead in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Huh?! Pourquoi?! My little bit o'French there. Edmonton should've been smart and put their AHL farm club only 7 or 8 hrs. away in Saskatoon. Why not?! I don't understand! Montréal Canadiens has their AHL farm club in St. John's, Nfld. Another this thing I don't understand?! Is their a Saskatchewan kryptonite here?! Or "curse" as you say it?! I'll leave it at that! Happy Sunday! Keep praying for our prairie farmers as they get their crops in the bin this fall! They do feed us!
Sheldon Thibault Al Davis was a mega douche though. Oakland always soldout and had massive support. Davis just wanted a bigger, more badder stadium with box suites, thus his move to LA. His son is doing the same thing with Vegas now. They both didn't even try to build a stadium that they wanted in the Bay Area. They want free tax payer's money to build a stadium. Something Oakland is on the hook for from the last modification (Mount Davis and Box Suites at the current Oakland Coliseum). Oakland is always getting screwed by sports organizations and owners. Oakland is even a better location than San Francisco and San Jose for these sporting events due to its geographical location of being smack dab in the middle of the Bay Area and being on the East Bay side too. Very unfortunate for the city and Bay Area fans.
ExcelGenerations the Warriors are probably the biggest thing you have there now and even they're moving to San Francisco. I feel bad for thr city of Oakland.
I don't think an nhl team would work. Mostly an ahl team. But with the Saskatchewan rush selling out games and hopefully this year Saskatoon blades doing well we could support an ahl team but not until we get a new arena as well as sask place almost 30 years old
You keep referring to curses - i'm based in Edinburgh Scotland and have supported Hibernian (Soccer club) and Toronto Maple Leafs all my life - last year Hibs one the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1902 and I'm hoping the Leafs break their curse soon certainly before 114 years have lapsed
This is sad to hear. I think it wouldve been a great success. Sure it would of been HARD to get UFAs without over paying... however it COULD of worked. Had they survived to the salary cap era they wouldve been in the clear.
Hi Fellow BlueNoteFan! I’ve been one since 1968. Just one correction to your otherwise astute observation. It was Sid Solomon the III, (the son) not Sid Jr. (the dad) who screwed up the team and pissed off Scotty Bowman and Al Arbour, who wound up winning 13 Stanley Cups between them!
I never believed in phony "curses". None of the players are even thinking of that when they are competing. If they drafted someone good, they probably would have traded them away just like Mullen and Gilmour.
I believe they had the 5th worst record that year. So that's where they would have drafted. And Yzerman went 4th. So they wouldn't have been in position to take him anyway. Where can we watch the documentary?
@@user-hx1xl4ev3e well Seattle's coming. But then again, Coach Q, Babrovsky and other big signings are the Panthers' last resort, in my opinion, to appeal to the South Florida populace
??? Saskatchewan is way more a hockey home than any other sport... football is huge, no doubt, but hockey has far more widespread support, starting at the grassroots level
I think the only time I've ever said it, but thank God for the NHL!
in 1998 the Edmonton Oilers almost moved to Houston
Try telling that to a jerk in Edmonton by the name of Mike Gray. He's all for teams in the sun belt, even those that have done nothing but lose money. Yet, he's dead against the NHL putting a team back in Winnipeg.
Some people just make no sense at all.
The Saskatchewan Rush sell out almost every game. I know lacrosse only has around 20 games in a season but I think they could at least put Edmontons AHL team in Saskatoon instead of like OKC or wherever it is. That would make way more sense.
BradAlberts totally agree. Saskatoon would be a great AHL market.
BradAlberts trouble is that no other AHL team is near it.
BradAlberts
The Condors are located in Bakersfield, California. (Oilers AHL team)
I would have screamed
I'm amazed that Saskatoon has not been an AHL cities for years already. The fit would be perfect.
The 1980s are long gone and Saskatoon should just forget about the pipe dream.
I was a junior in high school living in a small town in western Illinois (near STL) when the move to Saskatoon was announced. I read the headline in the Globe Democrat during study hall. I freaked!!!!!
This was not good. Went around school asking "Saskatoon? Who the hell even knows what that is anyway?" This was just being bitter and derisive - I was familiar with Saskatchewan. Ironically I mostly just knew it as a place that Hockey players come from. (Since then I've been to SK a few times and know it much better, and hockey players come from St. Louis now...but I digress.)
I was mad at Ralston Purina!! Even asked mom to not buy their Dog Chow. (She always bought the cheep generic anyway - so she just shook her head like I was an idiot)
Quickly I found hope when learning that the NHL had to approve the move, and it was looking like they would not. When the vote came in our favor there was titanic relief!
All the drama that followed worried me less. With the move blocked I thought it would work itself out. Maybe I was being naive? I found it really strange when the league took over the Blues. I was not aware a league could do that. Mostly I just felt grateful that the league seamed dedicated to keeping the Blues in St. Louis. Bettmen and current owners could learn a thing or two from that NHL. This is how you grow and maintain a solid fan base in a hockey market!!
I don't remember being even a little bit upset about missing the draft. It had all ended with us still having our team and was very thankful!!! The shenanigans of R-P was behind us, and we had a future in which we could grow. 😀
Hard to believe this almost happened. Saint Louis is a great hockey town and shortly after this made the Conference finals in 1986. Best yet eventually getting Brett Hull I believe for goaltender Rick wamsley. So yes it worked out for the best look at the consecutive years making the playoffs go Blues always be in Saint lou.
I had no knowledge of this. The documentary would be interesting viewing, I feel.
I lived in Sask. at the time and it was a big deal. There even was a pre-order ticket (promissory) event of some kind which sold out a promised arena. I think it would have been best in Saskatoon to be more central. It would have been like the Riders as a province wide draw especially if named the Saskatchewan Blues. I remember hearing the NHL BOG killed it cuz they wouldn't have been a draw in other cities.
I live in Saskatchewan and I would love a team in Saskatoon and I think it will succeed and I only live an hour away from Saskatoon cuz I live in Prince Albert
I been a big Blues Fan since 1972 my first game that the Blues beat the Atlanta Flames 9-0. But I think that Saskatoon should had a shot at at team. Canada should get another team.
I’m watching this in 2020. Congratulations Hockey Guy. You have come a long way! You never have to worry about your legacy! I remember watching this video when it first came out. I think Saskatoon could support a NHL team. Not sure about Regina but they could. I put Saskatoon in my mock up for a Pro Canadian Hockey League should the Canadian NHL teams have to leave the NHL due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
You're too pie-in-the-sky. Saskatoon is too small to be of any interest to the NHL. If the League is to ever add another team in Canada; it will be Quebec City and that will probably be all that Canada gets.
As for a pro Canadian Hockey League; look at how well the CFL draws in Toronto and Vancouver nowadays and consider how popular the idea would be.
I remember when that happened, and people around here kept saying "Where the hell is Saskatoon?"
As a blues fan listening to those picks just makes me cringe.
Bluepucks67 So you almost moved when you had the most BIGGEST fan bases in hockey. It sounds like stan groenke to me. Where even is Saskatoon anyway
Most biggest? Where's Saskatoon? *facepalm*
Laurent your just that guy who tries to find people's terrible English are you.
R philliy66 HEY! I live in Saskatoon and if you must know it's in Saskatchewan and if you have heard of Regina it's about 3 hours away from their
Masked.alien oh time for Google maps for me
Maybe you can do a video on who you think won the trades in the offseason so far
1:24 Were defiantly not a prairie town. We're the biggest city in our province. Sure we aren't big by most "big city" standards but we are still decent in size.
You don't even make the Top 15 cities in Canada in population! The number of corporate head offices in not enough, either.
Has the documentary come out yet?
Out of that list of draftees, if he were availabe I would think the Blues would have chosen Pat LaFontaine. My reason being that he was born in St. Louis and bringing the "hometown" boy would have played very well, and thats the kind of moves a lackluster franchise sometimes make. And as a 9 year old, I remember reading the paper when the Blues were as good as gone and I'll admit it... crying . haha
We are no longer crying. LGB's!!
They would have drafted 5th. And he was gone by then.
Even though Ralston-Purina ran the Blues into the toilet and Harry Ornest ran the Blues into the toilet they both saved the team from leaving.
They could never have an arena built in time for 83 84
I've never even been to Canada and know that Saskatoon isnt "sleepy."
Did the documentary ever get released is it somewhere on the internet 🤔
When/If Saskatoon or Moosejaw gets a team they'll be my new fave-till Hamilton gets their's.Then when the NORDS come back-they'll move back into top spot!
Did that documentary ever get made?
I remember the 1983 news when Saskatoon didn't get the Blues. I was crushed! To refused a team to move is wrong. Look at the Oakland Raiders for example, Al Davis didn't care! Saskatoon, Saskatchewan would be one of three Canadian spots for NHL landings for expansion franchises. The other two are Quebec and either Toronto-Markham or Hamilton. The league needs to expand into Canada anyway to build a strong presence where the strong hardcore fan base is located. I liken Saskatchewan to our Roughriders of the CFL and the Green Bay Packers of the NFL for support. Both are a provincial and state fan base support from around all points. In Saskatchewan, nearly half of the province is driven by energy business like coal & uranium, SaskTel with telecommunications, #4 in oil production in producing around the globe, and agriculture is still kicking around. We've grown a lot since 1983, Saskatoon has over 300k in population & Regina has nearing 270k, Saskatchewan has 1.1M in people in total and is growing at a faster rate than any time it's province's history. Only thing is, Saskatchewan is going to be transitioning between premiers soon within the same party which will change the dynamics of how my province of Saskatchewan will be run for the next 2 years. In August, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall announced he's stepping down after 10 years at the helm and the Roughriders of the CFL have a new stadium they're playing in this year after 80 years in the Mosiac Stadium. The arena in Saskatoon where the Blades play is roughly 15,125 in seating and is 28 years old. Also, taxes were risen by 1% in the last budget by a fiscally conservative government. STC Bus Service ceased to exist on May 31, 2017. It was his toughest budget for a popular premier which in a matter of a month lost 10% points in popularity polls. This is probably what prompted his resignation as premier which I predicted to friends that around 2017 or 2018, he would not stick around to fight the next election in around 2020. Another thing that baffles me is why Edmonton & Calgary put their AHL farm clubs in California and Vancouver also likewise in Utica, New York instead in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Huh?! Pourquoi?! My little bit o'French there. Edmonton should've been smart and put their AHL farm club only 7 or 8 hrs. away in Saskatoon. Why not?! I don't understand! Montréal Canadiens has their AHL farm club in St. John's, Nfld. Another this thing I don't understand?! Is their a Saskatchewan kryptonite here?! Or "curse" as you say it?! I'll leave it at that! Happy Sunday! Keep praying for our prairie farmers as they get their crops in the bin this fall! They do feed us!
Sheldon Thibault Al Davis was a mega douche though. Oakland always soldout and had massive support. Davis just wanted a bigger, more badder stadium with box suites, thus his move to LA. His son is doing the same thing with Vegas now. They both didn't even try to build a stadium that they wanted in the Bay Area. They want free tax payer's money to build a stadium. Something Oakland is on the hook for from the last modification (Mount Davis and Box Suites at the current Oakland Coliseum). Oakland is always getting screwed by sports organizations and owners. Oakland is even a better location than San Francisco and San Jose for these sporting events due to its geographical location of being smack dab in the middle of the Bay Area and being on the East Bay side too. Very unfortunate for the city and Bay Area fans.
ExcelGenerations the Warriors are probably the biggest thing you have there now and even they're moving to San Francisco. I feel bad for thr city of Oakland.
I have no problem with a team in Saskatchewan, but KEEP YOUR FILTHY MITTS OFF OURS!!!!!!!!
No offense
They had to stay here, because Chicago wouldn't have the rivalry they wanted- they were the very reason we got a team in 1967.
It would’ve been the biggest relocation fail ever.
I don't think an nhl team would work. Mostly an ahl team. But with the Saskatchewan rush selling out games and hopefully this year Saskatoon blades doing well we could support an ahl team but not until we get a new arena as well as sask place almost 30 years old
can you talk about the Duchene trade rumors?
You keep referring to curses - i'm based in Edinburgh Scotland and have supported Hibernian (Soccer club) and Toronto Maple Leafs all my life - last year Hibs one the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1902 and I'm hoping the Leafs break their curse soon certainly before 114 years have lapsed
This is sad to hear. I think it wouldve been a great success. Sure it would of been HARD to get UFAs without over paying... however it COULD of worked. Had they survived to the salary cap era they wouldve been in the clear.
As I recall, the Blues had traded two early round picks earlier in the year for players.
Who was that?
I used to live in Mose jaw
Hockey Guy do a video on North Stars move to Dallas
Nah. Saskatoon wasn't the Blues curse. Sid Solomon Jr. not keeping nose out of hockey ops and running Scotty Bowman off was the curse.
Hi Fellow BlueNoteFan! I’ve been one since 1968. Just one correction to your otherwise astute observation. It was Sid Solomon the III, (the son) not Sid Jr. (the dad) who screwed up the team and pissed off Scotty Bowman and Al Arbour, who wound up winning 13 Stanley Cups between them!
They had a talent deficit. They weren't winning no matter who the coach was.
If 11% of Americans are NHL fans, that’s pretty good.
Given that the league as recently as the 1960s was around 0% American.
And that like basically most of the US is hot or not cold
By 1979 the NHL was 11% American
Where do you think Shattenkirk will most likely end up?
Ray caps then I think rangers
I never believed in phony "curses". None of the players are even thinking of that when they are competing. If they drafted someone good, they probably would have traded them away just like Mullen and Gilmour.
I believe they had the 5th worst record that year. So that's where they would have drafted. And Yzerman went 4th. So they wouldn't have been in position to take him anyway. Where can we watch the documentary?
I'm to young to remember this!
....and?
Nhl had no right and still had no right to refuse relocation.
KerryPark Islanders2673 they do
If they didn't there wouldn't be teams in Edmonton or Calgary and rip Pittsburgh Penguins
Except they do. Stan Kroenke broke the law when he moved the Rams to LA. He's currently getting his ass sued off in Missouri
@@jackmakackov7077 is San Diego suing Dean Spanos then??
It would work here
Moot point because it will never happen.
Florida Panthers are next Quebec team ......they can't fill their arena
RavenMadd9 unfortunately Quebec won't get a team until the west gets another team.
Might be Ottawa as bad as things are going there.
@@shocktrauma85 I just wish Melnyk could sell the team
@@user-hx1xl4ev3e well Seattle's coming. But then again, Coach Q, Babrovsky and other big signings are the Panthers' last resort, in my opinion, to appeal to the South Florida populace
@@shocktrauma85 If Ottawa doesn't get a new, and sensibly located, arena soon; that will be a possibility.
Oh what should have been!
maybe give them another one not st louis maybe one that nobody like the Florida Panthers
ciaran palmer or the coyotes
Would sell out more then the panthers thats for sure.
I'd put any money on it wouldint. The province is so football based it wouldint try hockey. Maybe back in the day but sure as hell not now
??? Saskatchewan is way more a hockey home than any other sport... football is huge, no doubt, but hockey has far more widespread support, starting at the grassroots level
Has the documentary come out yet?