Haha, gotcha. Yeah the Quebec example is like saying "Championship level teams in England get good turnout why doesn't the USL" 😜

And I'm sure you're logically right about the level of skill in the AHL but it's still 'minor league' in America and likely perceived as such, as minor entertainment.

Also of course an NHL team is a pipe dream, and needs a lot of fortuitous luck. But to say it isn't "deserved" because of apathy based on up-to-this-point mediocre college and AHL teams... is a stretch, IMO.