Attendance and Spirit future

[newguy]

You seem to be having trouble admitting the two "programs" are right now miles apart in terms of reputation, talent development, and appeal.

Why the difficulty? And I love how Saginaw's pre-Spirit years in North Bay don't count, but all of Plymouth's time in Detroit as the Ambassadors, Jr. Red Wings, or Whalers do. That's....unique.

Also - you missed Bryan Berard, Eric Cairns, Jamie Allison, Fred Brathwaite, Bob Wren and a few others who made it to the NHL in the Ambassadors/Jr. Wings first six seasons.

I don't know why you're putting up a fight here, the programs can't be compared. Maybe someday. We can always hope. But not now.

What's next: Michigan vs. Northwestern for NFL players?

[acwright84]

teamspirit was comparing the first 6 years of the 2 current ownerships. Karmanos first 6 years 1990-1996 and garbers 2002-2008. Which he is right that is a more fair comparison. Thats why the north bay years don't count. If you want to compare us to the current plymouth team wait 12 years until we've been established for 18 years like they have that makes a big difference.

[newguy]

I understood that, but I don't see the validity.

Even so, the Detroit Ambassadors put eight players into regular rotation in the NHL. And that was in TWO years. Of an EXPANSION team. Not getting an existing team which had made the playoffs the year before, as North Bay did.

From Wikipedia (and you know, they're always right...)


***
Eight players from the Compuware Ambassadors OHL team went onto NHL careers. Todd Harvey and Eric Cairns are both currently active NHL players.

Pat Peake was the first draft pick in the history of the Compuware Ambassadors franchise, his #14 was retired by the Whalers organization. Peake was also chosen 14th Overall in the 1st round of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals.

Dave Cameron
Eric Cairns
Todd Harvey
Mark Lawrence
Pat Peake
Keith Redmond
Derek Wilkinson
Bob Wren
***

Saginaw has one, and even that is a stretch. Again, I hope it changes.

I think it's pretty obvious that Plymouth is a program Saginaw should strive to be like, and hasn't so far.

Why that's so hard to nod your head and agree with, who knows?

I guess some people like to be argumentative.

Oh, and by the six-year rule.....

The Ambassadors/Red Wings by the end of 1995 in their FIFTH year, had won 32 playoff games (not two), 2 division titles, and had gone to the OHL Final twice, and won it in 1995, the year after losing it to North Bay.

So yeah....that....I mean, are we really debating this?