The AHL Will Look Different Next Fall
In this post, I'm hoping to catch us all up on some recent AHL news I haven't had a chance to write about. There will be new affiliations and some relocations and just general upheaval.
Canucks buy Rivermen, could move them to B.C.
We start in Illinois. Earlier this month, the Vancouver Canucks agreed to purchase the AHL's Peoria Rivermen from the St. Louis Blues. The deal, announced April 1, means starting next season, we'll have a couple of NHL/AHL affiliate swaps.
Obviously, the Canucks will be aligning with their new asset in Peoria. Only they don't appear to be staying in Peoria. According to the Vancouver Sun, the club will pack up and find a new city closer to the west coast. Where might that be?
Heat may leave Abbotsford for Utica, N.Y.
The Abbotsford Heat and owner Calgary Flames are in a spot of trouble. Things aren't really working out in B.C. See, British Columbians don't seem all that eager to cheer on the future of their enemy. Most of them are Canucks fans after all.
So where does that leave us? The Flames are apparently content with nearby Abbotsford, but clearly a Canucks-affiliated team would be a better draw. If the Rivermen find themselves in B.C. next season, where would the Heat go? I can't say, but it would be the franchise's fifth home in a decade.
From 1993 to 2003, the Saint John Flames played in New Brunswick. After that, there was a two-year suspension of the franchise followed by relocations every other year from Omaha, Neb. in 2005 to Moline, Ill. in 2007 and finally to Abbotsford in 2009.
UPDATE (4/16): A number of you have correctly pointed out that Utica, N.Y. is apparently the most likely place for the Heat to move given a February report that the Flames may sign a 10-year affiliation agreement with the city. What's funny is that Utica is where the franchise was based 20 years ago — prior to being in New Brunswick. Only then, then were affiliated with New Jersey and known as the Utica Devils. Will they keep the Heat moniker or go with something better?
Blues likely to enter affiliation with Wolves
So back to the Rivermen. They'll be ending their arrangement with the St. Louis Blues, who'll presumably pick up the Canucks' sloppy seconds, the Chicago Wolves. Geographically, it makes sense too. So no surprise there.
Aeros may leave Houston for Des Moines, Iowa
What is surprising, however, is that we could be witnessing the end of a 20-year run of pro hockey in Houston, Texas. The Houston Aeros apparently can't come to terms on a new arena deal. You know what that means. Relocation, relocation, relocation.
Word is, they've been eyeing Peoria — should the Rivermen be moved by the Canucks. In which case, my money says the storied Rivermen identity never skips a beat. The Aeros become the "new" Rivermen and the "old" Rivermen get a completely new identity in Abbotsford or elsewhere.
But if the Canucks can't get the Rivermen out of Peoria, the Aeros would still have to find a new home. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune believes Des Moines, Iowa could be a good possibility. It's closer to NHL affiliate Minnesota Wild but less convenient when it comes to air travel and call-ups.
So there you have four AHL teams that could look very different next fall. But they won't be alone.
Other leagues will look different, too
Elsewhere, other changes are in the works:
- The OHL's Brampton Battalion are on the move. The league approved the relocation to North Bay, Ont. back in November. It doesn't appear their name or logo will change — they have already been renamed the North Bay Battalion, according to the team's official website.
- Brampton, Ont. loses one CHL for another. The Central Hockey League swooped in with an expansion team for 2013-14, which recently got its official name — the Brampton Beast. (Think the IceHL's Boulder Beasts might have something to say about that?) The club doesn't have a logo yet, but this is the CHL's first foray into Canada.
- The CHL will also welcome the St. Charles Chill this season. You may recall the team named a winner in its logo design contest back in November.
- UPDATE (4/16): JanBan (comments) reminded me that the QMJHL's P.E.I. Rocket will be rebranding this summer. Their new name, announced last September, is P.E.I. Islanders. You can currently get 50% off Rocket merchandise from the team store.
If I've overlooked anything, please let me know. We'll have a lot to keep an eye on this summer as teams move around and new logos get unveiled. Stick around!
Chris
Whale could revert to Wolf Pack moniker in 2013
Almost left out these guys. According to a report back in February, the Connecticut Whale could go back to being the Hartford Wolf Pack next season. Rather than re-hashing it here I'll let you read the linked article for more details. I have no new information since that was posted.
If there are others I'm leaving out, keep them coming. Want to make this a comprehensive post.
Reader Comments (24)
The Abbottsford Heat are very likely to relocate to Utica, NY. At least three other teams met with officials in the city so if nobody makes the move this year then somebody will in 2014-15. Tons of renovations planned for the Aud. It'll be great for the city to get AHL hockey back.
I wish one of these team would move to Richmond, VA.
Sources have said that The Heat are moving to Utica, NY. Here are just 3 articles out there:
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/24/report-flames-moving-ahl-team-from-abbotsford-to-utica/
http://blog.timesunion.com/hockey/utica-paper-reports-that-ahl-franchise-may-be-headed-there/14818/
http://wibx950.com/tags/utica-flames/
On sportslogos.net forums, there was a rumor posted within the last few months that the Flames will be moving the Heat to Utica, NY.
Back in February, the Utica Observer-Dispatch had a story about the Heat moving to Utica for next season. Nothing really was announced, and it was dismissed. But it was interesting it showed up in NY before Calgary or Abbotsford.
Word on the street is that the Flames are looking at Utica NY as a landing spot for the Heat. Consider it a rumor though.
Here is another tidbit from the AHL rumor mill, pertaining to the Houston Aeros. There is word that they will be moving to Des Moines, IA... temporarily. According to the buzz around here, the target "permanent" (let's face it, minor league sports are only so permanent) home will be Sioux Falls, SD after completion of the new arena. I can't say if there is any validity to it, but that's the rumor.
Why would the Flames or the Heat owner move this team? He covers his losses (for another 6 years) and still makes money on putting the visiting teams in his hotel and having them eat in his restaurant? The call ups are a 55 minute flight away. I live in Abbotsford and this whole thing needs to be blown up and redrawn but it won't happen. Anyone paying property taxes pays for all the empty seats, and they are empty due to the sick deal the team has and the bitterness that ensued, it's a vicious circle. No kid wears anything with the words HEAT on it (dumb name to market with so much promise of minor league names and logos)...they branded themselves with the parent team, NOT the community...adding to the fact that it's the Canucks hated rival in the building doesn't help, but why would they leave? The obvious is to put the Cancuck's farm team in there, but you have to get the bear out of the cave and I don't think there is anything to entice it to leave.....all just rumors and wishful thinking and I don't see it happening.
Sloppy seconds? Really?
If we're talking CHL teams, the P.E.I. Rocket are set to be rebranded as the P.E.I. Islanders for the upcoming season.
Ty: Sorry, I was writing late at night so I got a bit silly. Might not hurt to have a sense of humor, though. I was only pointing out the fact that it's not exactly like the Blues would be choosing the Wolves. The Wolves would simply be their only AHL option.
I've heard rumors of the CT Whale changing back to the Hartford Wolfpack. Any truth to this rumor? A season ticket holder told me he has a source that it is happening.
Jeff: Almost forgot about that one too. It's a bit more than a rumor.
Here's my write-up on the Whale/Wolf Pack subject from February.
Utica to Calgary. That's an easy, direct flight.............................. ?
The Utica Observer-Dispatch took down their article talking about the ten-year deal, for whatever that's worth.
Sounds like Calgary and the Heat are the domino that needs to fall for a lot of things to happen. Other rumors are the Aeros moving to Peoria, should the Rivermen move. Tulsa has popped up as another possible destination. Honestly, I have a hard time seeing the AHL approve a move to Utica. Six teams in New York (at least until Adirondack moves to Allentown) and it'd move a team from the West, East, when that's the exact opposite they're trying to do. Bad enough they've already got Rochester and Charlotte in the "Western" Conference.
Nick: Finding a bit of fault with your comment here. First, a lot of newspaper websites remove old articles after a certain period of time (it's been a couple months). Probably a mix between managing server space with all the content they produce daily and the fact that they can make a few bucks selling back issues. I don't know that that's the case here, but newspapers don't tend to make up stories and then delete them from the web.
To your other point, I would have to disagree. The AHL isn't necessarily eager to spread out. In fact, I would venture to guess most teams would prefer to be as geographically close together as possible. Bus rides are cheaper than plane flights. If anything, I'd bet they'd welcome another team in New York if there was fan support. And as with any sports league that has "Eastern" and "Western" conferences, it's all relative.
Chris: It was actually a couple days after the article came out that it got removed. Of course with the internet, it never really goes away.
The league actually hired a consultant to do a study on the feasibility of moving teams out west and has stated they would eventually like a Western Division and west coast presence. As it is now, it'd be tough for one team to move, but a concerted effort by multiple teams moving at the same time would make it a viable endeavor
Looks like the PEI Rocket/Islanders saga has taken a sharp turn. If a local buyer isn't found by April 26th, the team would be sold and moved to Sorel-Tracy, Que. with the possibility of being rebranded as the Sorel Éperviers!
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/jrhockey-buzzing-the-net/p-e-rocket-days-could-numbered-buyer-set-003917390.html
Houston Aeros moving to Des Moines, will become the Iowa Wild:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/203505101.html
The Flames moving of Abbotsford rumors have been abound since the team got there. They were especially abound when True North moved the Thrashers to Winnipeg and the Manitoba Moose moved. If I recall the scenario correctly, the Moose were going to move to Saskatoon, the Canucks would take over the Heat, and the Flames would have the Chicago Wolves. It didn't work out then. There were even rumors the team in Albany would be owned by the Flames (rather then the Devils) once the River Rats moved to Charlotte.
So, until there is a press release from the Calgary Flames, Abbotsford Heat, or American Hockey League confirming any of the rumors of the Heat moving town, I'll still be at the games in my Flames jersey.
Hi Chris,
Concerning the P.E.I. Rocket : The franchise may move to Sorel-Tracy, QC : http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/jrhockey-buzzing-the-net/p-e-rocket-days-could-numbered-buyer-set-003917390.html
The Whale made it official today that they will be reverting back to the Hartford wolfpack name earlier today. I hope they use an individual uniform instead of just looking like mini rangers again.
looks like the "CT Whale" will be going back to the "Wolf Pack" announced today.
http://connecticut.cbslocal.com/2013/04/23/ahl-whale-to-return-to-wolf-pack-name/
Atlanta (Gwinnett) in 2014-15