A closer look at the possibility of Stockton, plus the links

May 20th, 2009 by Paul Tutka

The Stockton Arena in Stockton, California.

Sources close to the franchise are now confirming with NLL Insider that the chances of the San Jose Stealth packing their bags and moving to Stockton, California is a more likely and viable possibility than many connected to the situation first thought.

Last week NLL Insider reported that the Stealth would be moving from the HP Pavilion in San Jose and heading to somewhere in British Columbia or possibly Stockton, after yet another disappointing season at the gate.

If the team was to move to Stockton, the Stealth would be playing out of the state of the art Stockton Arena, whose main tenant is currently the East Coast Hockey League’s Stockton Thunder.

The arena is also home to the Professional Arena Soccer League’s Stockton Cougars and the af2’s Stockton Lightning, and can house upwards of ten thousand fans for hockey, and presumably lacrosse as well.

The city of Stockton, found in Northern California between Sacramento and Modesto, has a reputation as being a more blue collar area in California when compared to the Bay Area, where the Stealth have found themselves over the past six seasons since moving from Albany, New York.

The Thunder, one of the ECHL’s best attended teams, routinely draw upwards of seven thousand fans per home date.

It’s presumed an official announcement from the Stealth, in regards to their future, is expected over the next few weeks.

Plus the links

Reliving a classic NLL finale: NLL.com
Top five plays from the Champ’s Cup: NLL.com
Roughneck success could run off on Timbermen: Canada.com
(Matt) King of the Hill: Canada.com
Jeff Shattler and Nick Inch lead handful of Shamrock signings as they get ready for ‘09: CFAX 1070
Bob Hamley takes fall for Rush follies, “It was definitely a surprise. But at the same time, I knew there was a possibility of changes. Being in Edmonton, I’ve been kind of used to changes.” Chris McElroy: Edmonton Sun
Recent BC Hall of Famer and former WLA boss, Sohen Gill, says Mann Cup champ would annihilate NLL champ: BC Local News
Adanacs may be banged up after a tough NLL season for some, but hopes still high, including a return by the recently tired Jason Wulder: BC Local News
NLL Insider ‘08 JOTY Rookie of the Year, Cody Bremner, returns to the T-Men, so do W’s: Canada.com
Orangeville 30!!!!! over Toronto 4, from last week for those that missed it. NLL Insider ‘08 Playoff Performer of the Year, Adam Jones, blows up for 16 points: Pointstreak