Post by jhendrix70 on Jun 19, 2009 12:16:31 GMT -5
** DEPENDING ON WHICH NEWS PAPER YOU WANT TO BELIEVE, EITHER "THOUSANDS" WERE THERE OR "HUNDREDS". YOU PICK **
Hundreds rally for Hamilton NHL team
Jun 19, 2009 01:05 PM
THE CANADIAN PRESS
HAMILTON – Hundreds of people are rallying in never-say-die Hamilton to support billionaire Jim Balsillie's efforts to bring an NHL franchise to the city.
The rally is part of his so-called "Make It Seven Day."
The event is about providing a voice to Canadian hockey fans, while raising money for minor hockey teams across the country.
Fans at the rally are sporting hockey jerseys and carrying signs that read "Hockey Night in Hamilton" and "We deserve a team."
Speaking at the rally will be Balsillie's spokesman, Bill Walker, along with Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger.
Balsillie's bid for the Phoenix Coyotes was rejected by an Arizona bankruptcy judge, but he's pledged to keep pushing for a team.
Hamilton rallies for NHL
Scott Gardner, The Hamilton Spectator
Thousands cheer on Balsillie bid
June 19, 2009
Hamilton hockey boosters have streamed downtown to call for a local NHL team.
The makeitseven rally is gathering steam, with thousands of people streaming onto the roof of Jackson Square. One municipal official estimated the crowd in the 3,000 range shortly after 12. ::)Former NHL star Harry Howell and former mayors Jack Macdonald and Bob Wade are among the supporters.
Hamilton Councillor Terry Whitehead, the event co-chair, calls the event "unprecedented" in the city's history.
"I think that we're closer than we've ever been," Whitehead said of Hamilton's NHL chances.
Whitehead's office has been contacting Hamilton school, law, business and labour groups in a bid to whip up support for the rally.
Downtown business leader Kathy Drewitt said her office has circulated thousands of flyers about the event. With some 40,000 people employed in the city core, Drewitt expects a turnout of 5,000. She also believes Hamilton is closer than ever.
"I think the whole push to getting another NHL team in southern Ontario has wakened up the NHL officials to saying 'Look, there is support for another team in southern Ontario,'" she said.
Hamilton police spokesperson Sergeant Terry Lynn Collings expects the gathering will be celebratory and peaceful.
www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/585902
Hundreds rally for Hamilton NHL team
Jun 19, 2009 01:05 PM
THE CANADIAN PRESS
HAMILTON – Hundreds of people are rallying in never-say-die Hamilton to support billionaire Jim Balsillie's efforts to bring an NHL franchise to the city.
The rally is part of his so-called "Make It Seven Day."
The event is about providing a voice to Canadian hockey fans, while raising money for minor hockey teams across the country.
Fans at the rally are sporting hockey jerseys and carrying signs that read "Hockey Night in Hamilton" and "We deserve a team."
Speaking at the rally will be Balsillie's spokesman, Bill Walker, along with Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger.
Balsillie's bid for the Phoenix Coyotes was rejected by an Arizona bankruptcy judge, but he's pledged to keep pushing for a team.
Hamilton rallies for NHL
Scott Gardner, The Hamilton Spectator
Thousands cheer on Balsillie bid
June 19, 2009
Hamilton hockey boosters have streamed downtown to call for a local NHL team.
The makeitseven rally is gathering steam, with thousands of people streaming onto the roof of Jackson Square. One municipal official estimated the crowd in the 3,000 range shortly after 12. ::)Former NHL star Harry Howell and former mayors Jack Macdonald and Bob Wade are among the supporters.
Hamilton Councillor Terry Whitehead, the event co-chair, calls the event "unprecedented" in the city's history.
"I think that we're closer than we've ever been," Whitehead said of Hamilton's NHL chances.
Whitehead's office has been contacting Hamilton school, law, business and labour groups in a bid to whip up support for the rally.
Downtown business leader Kathy Drewitt said her office has circulated thousands of flyers about the event. With some 40,000 people employed in the city core, Drewitt expects a turnout of 5,000. She also believes Hamilton is closer than ever.
"I think the whole push to getting another NHL team in southern Ontario has wakened up the NHL officials to saying 'Look, there is support for another team in southern Ontario,'" she said.
Hamilton police spokesperson Sergeant Terry Lynn Collings expects the gathering will be celebratory and peaceful.
www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/585902
