By @CLulovics
The question of many hockey fans in the state of Ohio that has been asked for many years has finally been answered. The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Lake Erie Monsters have come to a multi year agreement in which the Lake Erie Monsters owned by Dan Gilbert and the Cavs will be the farm team (AHL) of the Columbus Blue Jackets. At a press conference in Cleveland representatives from the Cavs in Len Komoroski, CEO, Cavs and The Q and Kerry Bubolz, President of Business Operations for the Cavs
as well as Blue Jackets John Davidson (President of hockey operations) and Chris MacFarland (assistant General Manager) answered questions and introduced themselves to fans of both teams. The deal has finally happened after years of fans wanting both teams to come together as it is only a 2 or 2 and a half hour drive depending on if you do the speed limit or not between both cities. As an organizational standpoint it makes perfect sense because at times during a morning skate or if a player becomes sick it is a lot easier now for a player to drive down to Columbus and get their quicker as opposed to trying to catch a flight at the last minute as was the way it was done in years past.
Fans of both organizations can now watch both teams and how well the prospects are doing in Cleveland. Before when the Monsters were the farm team of the Colorado Avalanche it was hard for fans to watch the players they became fans of play when they were called up to the NHL because the games were not carried in Ohio. Now fans can watch their favorite players in Cleveland play in the NHL when they are called up on Fox Sports Ohio.
Personally I can't wait until October when the puck drops as hockey in Cleveland and Columbus. When the Blue Jackets have an off day and the Monsters play at The Q everyone can benefit and watch the future of the Jackets play. Another benefit is that the Monsters have finished in the top 10 in attendance the past couple of years as this past year they finished 3rd overall in league attendance. Another great thing about this agreement is not a lot of players in the minor league will have the amenities that The Q has to offer and with an owner like Dan Gilbert who doesn't like to lose will help this team reach its full potential.
Hockey is growing in the state of Ohio and the greater Cleveland and Columbus area and this will help both cities continue to grow. The future just became brighter and fans of both cities and both organizations will benefit. As always Carry The Flag, Battle On, We Are The Fifth Line, and a new one #AllofUS
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