Charlotte Checkers, I’m Sorry. It’s Not Really You, It’s Me
By Chris Baker
The AHL train headed to Greensboro is picking up speed. I have written pretty extensively on why I think Greensboro is the prime spot for a second AHL team in North Carolina. The fact that everyone wins, including the Charlotte Checkers, with a little competition is paramount. But really, if I was completely open, I just don’t care all that much for Charlotte.
Before you come after me, like our buddy decided to over BBQ, I can tell you I have spent a considerable amount of time in Charlotte. Just like I have eaten my share of BBQ across the state of North Carolina.
There are things I really like about Charlotte. Amélie’s French Bakery & Café for one. The Flying Biscuit is another (and yes I know we have one in Raleigh but it’s not as good), so are all the great places to see live music. The bar scene isn’t terrible either.
But my not wanting the Hurricanes to jump back in bed with the Charlotte Checker shows a deep seated geographical and infrastructure bias.
I said it. If you were listening, you heard it. I’ll put it more bluntly for those of you who want to argue how clearly I make my points
I don’t want to drive to Charlotte….anymore. Not for hockey or all the tea in England. If I never had to drive to Charlotte again, I think I could live out my days happy.
It’s 3 hours from Raleigh. IF, and that is a huge if, there is no delay You might as well budget an hour more than what Google tells you, because there is no way you aren’t getting stopped by the same road work that was slowing traffic to a crawl when I was going frequently from 2013 to 2016.
Plus, the easiest way to get to Charlotte from my house….is through Greensboro. Why would I drive past a perfectly good city to get to a city I am not crazy about.
Also, have you driven in Charlotte? Ever?
The only people who seem to be able to navigate in Charlotte….are people from there. And even they can’t. Between the potholes and the road names just arbitrarily changing names, it is not what I would call a driving friendly city. After seeing a Prius fall into a pothole and ever come out, I swore off driving it Charlotte. I’m taking a bus, the train, or I am walking. Period.
Finally, going to Charlotte to see the Checkers means knocking off work at least two hours early, and is going to turn into an overnight. If I am going at all. Between the traffic, and the roads, a 7:00 puck drop puts me getting home at 2:00 if I don’t stay. That same 7:00 puck drop in Greensboro means I am home by 12:30 at the latest, and I might take an hour off to leave early so I don’t have to hurry.
Why go through the hassle of getting all the way to Charlotte, to see an AHL game, then have to stay the night, no thanks. That kind of defeats the purpose if you ask me.
My disliking of Charlotte can just be added to the growing list of reasons a second AHL team in Greensboro is the better option for everyone involved. Not just me.
And, the growing momentum around this can be added to the list as well. I love that some of the more serious writers in the Canes world are hopping on this bandwagon. Let’s keep things going!
An AHL team in Greensboro would be so exciting for all of us, but especially for those of us who don’t want to deal with Charlotte. Sorry Checkers fans…..it really is me.