thefiestygoat Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Mike Ashmore has the scoop here. The Trenton Titans are expected to announce that they will be ceasing operations for the 2013-14 season, according to multiple people familiar with the situation.Trenton GM Rich Lisk declined comment when reached by phone and, through an ECHL spokesman, the league said it would not comment on “rumors” at this time. A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the hope is that Trenton could return to the league for the 2014-15 season.Both on and off the ice, things have been tough for the Titans since they made a hasty return to the league after the Trenton Devils folded following the 2010-11 season. An affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, Trenton averaged 2,578 fans over the course of its 36-game home schedule at the Sun National Bank Center and missed the postseason for the second straight year. More info in the article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satans Hockey Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 (edited) Such a shame that such a once great franchise has come to this. They experienced a steady decline every single season, some will and can argue that the Devils hurt them as well but the decent to this was in place before the Devils bought and then sold the team. I was down in Florida when the team won the Kelly Cup in 2005 and got to witness that amazing run. Hopefully they come back in some fashion. Edited April 23, 2013 by Satans Hockey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Loved going to these games as a kid. Shame to see them go, although I guess it's not permanent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxm262 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 (edited) dammit This bums me out. I've held a plan with the franchise for the last 4 years. Kids loved it, and I enjoyed watching Wedgwood play this year. Can't say the stands looked much different than the T-Devils days this year though, so I'm not surprised. Going to have to find an alternative now Edited April 23, 2013 by mxm262 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck the Duck Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Not surprising that Trenton really began to struggle to survive once the economy began to tank around 2008. I guess it wasn't all about the Devils ownership and affiliation after all, although they didn't help things. Hopefully they come back and are a vibrant franchise again in the near future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TackleDummy Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 The Titans games used to include an uneasy alliance of Devils, Flyers, Rangers fans, etc. First the Devils alienated the others. Then when the Flyers took over they put their stamp on the team. It took a while before they tried to bring back the Titans former identity, but it seems to be too little too late. I know at the beginning of the season I went to the Titans webpage to check the schedule and buy tickets, saw it all done up in Flyers colors, and said F that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 The Devils acquisition just killed this franchise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseysteve Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 The arena is located off South Broad St. in Trenton. The crime rate in this city is out of control, and this isn't exactly the safest part of the city. You may point to the Yankees farm team's success, but we're talking apples and orages. The Yankee team, The Thunder, do not play in the city per se. The area by the ballpark is well lit, and away from the trappings of the city. On game day, there are cops everywhere. The Titans rely on people from the surrounding areas (East/West Windsor, Princeton, Lawrence etc) for support. That isn't going to happen as long as Trenton remains as is. Further, for just a little more money, you can hop a train from anywhere in Mercer County, and watch the Devils in Newark. I've gone to 4 Devs games this season, had excellent seats, some food and drink all for under $100/game (Tix from Stub Hub). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 The arena is located off South Broad St. in Trenton. The crime rate in this city is out of control, and this isn't exactly the safest part of the city. You may point to the Yankees farm team's success, but we're talking apples and orages. The Yankee team, The Thunder, do not play in the city per se. The area by the ballpark is well lit, and away from the trappings of the city. On game day, there are cops everywhere. The Titans rely on people from the surrounding areas (East/West Windsor, Princeton, Lawrence etc) for support. That isn't going to happen as long as Trenton remains as is. Further, for just a little more money, you can hop a train from anywhere in Mercer County, and watch the Devils in Newark. I've gone to 4 Devs games this season, had excellent seats, some food and drink all for under $100/game (Tix from Stub Hub). It's a good point, I've attended a lot of Thunder games recently and I've never felt unsafe. Very well lit, lots of police presence, etc. (you hit on all the major points). I can't say the same about the Titans games..I'm fairly comfortable in Trenton generally (just have to know where to NOT go ) but that parking lot just never felt safe, especially after a night game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxm262 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 The Titans games used to include an uneasy alliance of Devils, Flyers, Rangers fans, etc. First the Devils alienated the others. Then when the Flyers took over they put their stamp on the team. It took a while before they tried to bring back the Titans former identity, but it seems to be too little too late. I know at the beginning of the season I went to the Titans webpage to check the schedule and buy tickets, saw it all done up in Flyers colors, and said F that. What stamp? They had a few autograph nights that were mid-week games that would have been dead otherwise. You genrally saw a lot more orange in the stands than before, but on the ice/otherwise I wouldn't say it was a dramatic departure from before. The game-day experience stuff was much mich better than the T-Devils did for sure. To sum up one of Ashmore's tweets which probably says it best in that this just might not be a good hockey market anymore. That being said it they do in fact come back in a year I will absolutely be back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twillms73 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 (edited) Very sad news. I had the pleasure of doing play-by-play for a junior team that played at the arena and everyone with the Titans and the arena were fantastic to me. There is talk that either the USHL, NAHL or a new top junior league may try to get into the northeast with a few teams. Would be nice if Trenton gets a shot. Edited April 23, 2013 by twillms73 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devilsfan26 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I've been going to Titans games for ten years and never felt unsafe. You park literally across the street from the arena, you don't have to do any driving through dangerous streets since it is right there on the highway, and there are police officers out there directing traffic. That is a lame excuse to not go to a game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMazz Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 (edited) I'm thinking that maybe those attendance rates didn't support an ECHL payroll... they might support an FHL team however. Also in regards to JerseySteve's post... I went to like 15 titans games this season and for two people (me and my GF) only $30 sitting on the glass (give or take) and including parking... not to mention hanging out with the players and all the autograph sessions. You aren't going to get that in Newark lol. Edited April 23, 2013 by TheMazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseysteve Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 "...That is a lame excuse to not go to a game..." Sorry, but the difference in experiences between the two sports is night and day. Like I wrote above, it doesn't cost much more to get to a Devils game, and it's a much better experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsMan84 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I'm thinking that maybe those attendance rates didn't support an ECHL payroll... they might support an FHL team however. FHL is a league that is seemingly on permanent life support with franchises moving, folding and forming all the time. That league is not worth it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I haven't gone to a Titans game since the Devils rebranded them and alienated the fan base. If they are back next year, I am going to several games, regardless of the distance to Trenton. GO JERSEY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxm262 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 "...That is a lame excuse to not go to a game..." Sorry, but the difference in experiences between the two sports is night and day. Like I wrote above, it doesn't cost much more to get to a Devils game, and it's a much better experience. Doesn't cost much more? I spent around $200 for 7 games for myself and 2 kids. Granted my youngest was free, but the Devils games we went to this year were more like $150 per. Night and day quality? No sh!t. But in Trenton we were on the glass, had interaction with players and rarely left without a puck gifted from the ice. Once a player gave my kid his stick as well. That leaves an impression on your kids. We typically went to just as many NHL games as ECHL too, although I have only been to Newark three times this season because of the short season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devilsfan26 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 "...That is a lame excuse to not go to a game..." Sorry, but the difference in experiences between the two sports is night and day. Like I wrote above, it doesn't cost much more to get to a Devils game, and it's a much better experience. Well I haven't been to a Thunder game in like ten years so I can't comment on that, but I have been to plenty of Titans games and never once did I feel unsafe. You spend almost no time walking from your car to the arena, and almost no time driving through Trenton, I have no idea what you are afraid of. And Titans games are WAY cheaper than Devils games and it's not even close unless you are comparing front row against the glass Titans tickets to last row in the corners of the 200s for a Monday night game against Phoenix in November. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satans Hockey Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 (edited) Anyone know if there is any chance the Devils move their AHL team to Trenton or the Flyers move the Phantoms? It would be a perfect scenario for the Flyers since the Phantoms use to be in Philly and its a close drive. Edited April 24, 2013 by Satans Hockey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyFan42 Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 (edited) Anyone know if there is any chance the Devils move their AHL team to Trenton or the Flyers move the Phantoms? It would be a perfect scenario for the Flyers since the Phantoms use to be in Philly and its a close drive. The Devils have two more years on their lease in Albany, and the Phantoms will be moving to a brand new arena in Allentown, PA, in 2014. There is a remote possibility that the Phantoms will be kicked out of Glens Falls this offseason (there are a couple of AHL franchises looking for new homes, and rumor has it that Glens Falls might be able to land one of them), but even then, they'd only be in Trenton (or wherever) for one year while they wait for the arena in Allentown to be ready. Edited April 24, 2013 by RowdyFan42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 (edited) The Devils have two more years on their lease in Albany, and the Phantoms will be moving to a brand new arena in Allentown, PA, in 2014. There is a remote possibility that the Phantoms will be kicked out of Glens Falls this offseason (there are a couple of AHL franchises looking for new homes, and rumor has it that Glens Falls might be able to land one of them), but even then, they'd only be in Trenton (or wherever) for one year while they wait for the arena in Allentown to be ready. That would make sense for the Phantoms to play in Trenton one year and try to re-energize the area for hockey, then bring back the Titans using the Phantoms season ticket holder base for 2015 Edited April 25, 2013 by MantaRay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelastonealive Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 I had actually heard about this from a team employee a few weeks ago and kind of hoped it wouldn't be true. Made it to four games this year (all after the lockout ended, ironically), and was really looking forward to going to more next year. If the Phantoms or another team were to play there for next season, I would instantly be a fan, regardless of what NHL team they'd be associated with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 I had actually heard about this from a team employee a few weeks ago and kind of hoped it wouldn't be true. Made it to four games this year (all after the lockout ended, ironically), and was really looking forward to going to more next year. If the Phantoms or another team were to play there for next season, I would instantly be a fan, regardless of what NHL team they'd be associated with. Agree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucifersDog Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 This is too bad. I enjoyed the games. I always thought the decline started when the Devils bought them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseysteve Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Doesn't cost much more? I spent around $200 for 7 games for myself and 2 kids. Granted my youngest was free, but the Devils games we went to this year were more like $150 per. Night and day quality? No sh!t. But in Trenton we were on the glass, had interaction with players and rarely left without a puck gifted from the ice. Once a player gave my kid his stick as well. That leaves an impression on your kids. We typically went to just as many NHL games as ECHL too, although I have only been to Newark three times this season because of the short season. I didn't say it was cheaper, but compared to the experience, it was well worth the extra bucks. I don't know where you sat for $150 per, but I went to about 6 games, and never paid more than 45 per, and had excellent seats (great site lines) usually 7-10 rows up. Bought my tix on Stub Hub, but I digress...Perception is reality, and the PERCEPTION is that it is very unsafe there. They did little marketing and people had too many alternative choices. For those bashing the Devils handling of this team, people in this area, are primarily Flyers/Rangers fans. I've been to several games in Trenton, and I've got to be honest, it was decent hockey, but not much of an experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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