Financial Troubles and Franchise's End
On December 22, 2008, Fresno Hockey Club, LLC announced that the Fresno Falcons team would cease operations immediately citing operating cost due to dwindling attendance, lack of corporate sponsorships and the faltering economy.
President Dave Dakers of the Victoria Salmon Kings ECHL team expressed some negative commentary on the Falcons team management abilities, but praised the team itself as being "competitive". The owners did not do all they could to salvage the situation and gave up too easily as there were still other options available to minimize the economic damage. He was rather disappointed and not too pleased, in the Victoria Times Colonist newspaper article.
The Falcons were the second team that season to fold, following the Augusta Lynx. Arguments were made that the ECHL had expanded into markets that were unable to sustain their market, though the perception in Fresno's case was that the franchise had issues beyond that which prevented the team from being profitable. Fresno was without hockey at any level until the Fresno Monsters began play in the 2009/2010, The Monsters were announced in Spring 2009, filling a void for hockey in Fresno after the Falcons folded. The team began Play in mid-September 2009, playing in the Tier III Jr. A Western States Hockey League. The franchise now plays in the Tier II Jr. North American Hockey League, while continuing to field a Tier III Team.
Read more about this topic: Fresno Falcons
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