If eastern New York can have two hockey teams, why not the hockey capital of the world?
According to the The Toronto Star, the Town of Markham — a suburb just north of Toronto — could approve an NHL-ready arena as early as next week. The plan will reportedly be headed by GTA Sports and Entertainment, the chair of Bauer Performance Sports Ltd, Graeme Roustan, and real estate mogul Rudolph Bratty and feature a 20,000 seat facility to host sporting events and concerts. If construction starts this year the arena could be ready for the 2014 season.
In the past the NHL has insisted that a shiny new building wouldn’t necessarily guarantee an NHL franchise but after what transpired with Winnipeg, the MTS Centre and return of the Jets the idea cannot totally be disregarded.
Aside though from the NHL the biggest hurdle for this venture will probably be the Toronto Maple Leafs who have fought similar ideas in the past including the possibility of Hamilton getting an NHL team.
Still the masses could favor the idea given the struggles the Maple Leafs have had in recent years.
Ref: Toronto Star
