RailRaiders moving to Tecumseh Ontario

[Ontario1]

It was announced today that the Railraiders will be moving to Tecumseh Ontario to play in a brand new 6500 seat arena/horse race track/slots facility to be complete by 2008. Its a short drive from Ohio. No word if they will still be called the "Cincinatti RailRaiders" or "Tecumseh RailRaiders" of the AHL.

[Minor League Man]

It's the Windsor area, so they will probably be the Windsor Whatchamacallits.

[patmc16]

Its a short drive from Ohio. No word if they will still be called the "Cincinatti RailRaiders".

I'm gonna go ahead and assume that was meant to be a joke. Cincinnati is about 275 miles and 4 hours from Windsor. ????

[Raptorov]

Well, if the Cincinnati Railraiders are off to Windsor, I wish them all the luck. A couple of buddies and I were absolutely crushed when they called it off for this season.
I am glad that the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones have risen from the grave, but I had my bandit scarf all ready for the AHL. It puzzles me that the AHL would not work in the 10,000 seat Cincinnati Gardens, but will, it seems, work in a 6500 seat Windsor venue.
Oh well, thats how it goes I guess.

[Raptorov]

By the way,
Where is exactly "Tecumseh" Ontario?
When I checked out the link to the casino/rink project, it just said "Windsor".
Is Tecumseh near the site of the Battle of Moraviantown, where on October 5, 1813 Tecumseh was killed?

Just wondered.

[nksports]

I'm gonna go ahead and assume that was meant to be a joke. Cincinnati is about 275 miles and 4 hours from Windsor. ????

Four hours — that's assuming light traffic on I-75 through Cincy, Dayton, Toledo and Detroit and no backups at the border. And remeber, soon it will be required to have a passport for reentry to the US from Canada (to stop those Canadian terrorists from infiltrating our country and sabotaging our beer supply).

[ronnyber]

By the way,
Where is exactly "Tecumseh" Ontario?
When I checked out the link to the casino/rink project, it just said "Windsor".
Is Tecumseh near the site of the Battle of Moraviantown, where on October 5, 1813 Tecumseh was killed?

Just wondered.

Tecumseh is adjacent to Windsor on the east side. The Icetrack will be built on the south end of town off the 401 Highway. If you want the exact location of the arena site enter "3070 manning road tecumseh, ontario" into Google maps.

http://maps.google.com/

Cheers!

[Berkshirian]

Now that the RailRaiders will be the Rockford IceHogs, what happens to Windsor? Do they go the way of the announced but never born Toledo team?

[rams80]

Right in one

[sportsguy12]

Now that the RailRaiders will be the Rockford IceHogs, what happens to Windsor? Do they go the way of the announced but never born Toledo team?

so Windsor lost their team. Since that deal was off, Rockford stepped in. There's only one AHL franchise up for sale right now and that would be the one owned by Edmonton. They figure to be unloading it because they moved to AHL team to Springfield and don't need to own a franchise.

[Berkshirian]

Any rumors on where that one might end up? I heard the London Knights' new home was built so that the team could look beyond the OHL. That wouldn't be a bad place.......

[rams80]

Any rumors on where that one might end up? I heard the London Knights' new home was built so that the team could look beyond the OHL. That wouldn't be a bad place.......

Probably South of the Border, junior teams do better than AHL teams in Canada.

[Shootmaster_44]

If the rumors I keep hearing are correct the Edmonton team is heading to Saskatoon. Apparently, the Blades lease may bar them from playing at Credit Union Centre for another 3 years, so that may explain the Oilers' affiliation agreement with Springfield for 3 years.

I also think the Roadrunners may end up back in Edmonton, if the WHL's Oil Kings does poorly. I have a feeling that if Patrick Laforge et al is forced to sell the Oil Kings or worse yet fold them, that if the Roadrunners are still dormant, they will return to Edmonton.

[summerfan]

If the rumors I keep hearing are correct the Edmonton team is heading to Saskatoon. Apparently, the Blades lease may bar them from playing at Credit Union Centre for another 3 years, so that may explain the Oilers' affiliation agreement with Springfield for 3 years.

I also think the Roadrunners may end up back in Edmonton, if the WHL's Oil Kings does poorly. I have a feeling that if Patrick Laforge et al is forced to sell the Oil Kings or worse yet fold them, that if the Roadrunners are still dormant, they will return to Edmonton.

The roadrunner are not returning to edmonton.Next year it look like there will be alot more changes.

1)Toronto Marlies ticket sales are worse then expected.The leafs are already looking at other places to move the team to.

2)Montreal wants to move the bulldogs to cornwall.It is expected this will happan.

As for london the issue is people there won't pay more then $10 for a ticket.

[sportsguy12]

The roadrunner are not returning to edmonton.Next year it look like there will be alot more changes.

1)Toronto Marlies ticket sales are worse then expected.The leafs are already looking at other places to move the team to.

2)Montreal wants to move the bulldogs to cornwall.It is expected this will happan.

As for london the issue is people there won't pay more then $10 for a ticket.

Let's clear this mess up:

1) The Marlies have not been marketed properly and ticket prices were set way to high. But they are not moving.

2) Hamilton will stay in the AHL as long as the NHL's Nashville Predators stay in Tennessee. If Hamilton goes NHL then Cornwall might be an option. I wouldn't stand in line for Cornwall tickets, especially since the Aces went belly up. It's not going to happan, er, happen.

3) London is a junior hockey market.

[summerfan]

Let's clear this mess up:

1) The Marlies have not been marketed properly and ticket prices were set way to high. But they are not moving.

2) Hamilton will stay in the AHL as long as the NHL's Nashville Predators stay in Tennessee. If Hamilton goes NHL then Cornwall might be an option. I wouldn't stand in line for Cornwall tickets, especially since the Aces went belly up. It's not going to happan, er, happen.

3) London is a junior hockey market.

As for the marlies they out of toronto at the end of this year.The leafs have openly said that they were exp[ecting alot more season ticket sales then they have got.This was just a few weeks back yes they did lower there ticket prices big time.As of now they have sold 1000 season tickets.The leafs have aslo said there not in this to lose money and with the ahl team there losing big time cash.Things are a big complex in hamilton.The habs want to move the team closer to mtl and cornwall is there first choice.

[sportsguy12]

As for the marlies they out of toronto at the end of this year.The leafs have openly said that they were exp[ecting alot more season ticket sales then they have got.This was just a few weeks back yes they did lower there ticket prices big time.As of now they have sold 1000 season tickets.The leafs have aslo said there not in this to lose money and with the ahl team there losing big time cash.Things are a big complex in hamilton.The habs want to move the team closer to mtl and cornwall is there first choice.

The Leafs own and operate the building. It's cheaper for them to stay put. Besides, they are losing less money there then if they moved to another city. It's going to take several years to build a base - they know they can't do it overnight.

The NHL is blocking any more of the Preds to Hamilton, so that team is staying AHL.

Cornwall didn't work before so why would it work now. Cornwall also doesn't have an arena as their current building only seats 4,000.

[summerfan]

The Leafs own and operate the building. It's cheaper for them to stay put. Besides, they are losing less money there then if they moved to another city. It's going to take several years to build a base - they know they can't do it overnight.

The NHL is blocking any more of the Preds to Hamilton, so that team is staying AHL.

Cornwall didn't work before so why would it work now. Cornwall also doesn't have an arena as their current building only seats 4,000.

The leafs are lossing a ton of money with the marles.The past year they lost 30 grand a month just on the marlies.If they moved to a area that will sell out or avg a good size crowd there come out on top.If a team does not have a fan base with in 5 years they team will never a fan base.If there was a rise in season ticket it would be defferent.The marlies season ticket sales are down and thats not a good sign at all.There is a new 15,000 seat arena in cornwall that opens the doors in 2009.A s for hamilton there is a possible new rink beeing built in bulrington.

[canuck steve]

The leafs are lossing a ton of money with the marles.The past year they lost 30 grand a month just on the marlies.If they moved to a area that will sell out or avg a good size crowd there come out on top.If a team does not have a fan base with in 5 years they team will never a fan base.If there was a rise in season ticket it would be defferent.The marlies season ticket sales are down and thats not a good sign at all.There is a new 15,000 seat arena in cornwall that opens the doors in 2009.A s for hamilton there is a possible new rink beeing built in bulrington.

15,000 seat arena in Cornwall,some how I doubt that. as for the Habs, they had teams in Montreal and Sherbrooke that failed, Ontario and Quebec love NHL and junior hockey, the AHL was never really found a niche in either province's. A 500,000 loss for MLG is just a tax write off, but they might look to relocate Louisville Leafs or the Indy Racing Leafs....

[summerfan]

15,000 seat arena in Cornwall,some how I doubt that. as for the Habs, they had teams in Montreal and Sherbrooke that failed, Ontario and Quebec love NHL and junior hockey, the AHL was never really found a niche in either province's. A 500,000 loss for MLG is just a tax write off, but they might look to relocate Louisville Leafs or the Indy Racing Leafs....

They have already started to build the arena in cornwall.

[bradlehman]

Cornwall didn't work before so why would it work now.

The American Hockey League has a nasty legacy of putting teams back into markets that have "failed".

Consider if you will:

Cleveland
Worcester
Utica
New Haven
Portland
Baltimore
Binghamton
Springfield

[chdahs]

The American Hockey League has a nasty legacy of putting teams back into markets that have "failed".

Consider if you will:

Cleveland
Worcester
Utica
New Haven
Portland
Baltimore
Binghamton
Springfield

I can tell u from experience, brahdleman

Cleveland wasn't a failed market----the lease was not renewed after 5 years by mutual agreement; Gilbert did not own the team either as he will w/ the Lake Erie Monsters;

Worcester had no local ownership and St. Louis elected to move to Peoria;

Utica not interested and not a member of the AHL currently; same w/ New Haven since the Coliseum was demolished(no need when Hartford & Bridgeport are there)

Portland & Baltimore are connected since it was the Baltimore franchise relocating(Cincinnati, now Rockford started there) hence why Baltimore has no arena other than First Mariner.

Portland's not a failed market since Providence made them a better offer(the franchise wasn't very good at that time on ice);

Binghamton had the now-IHL in between the Rangers & Senators precipitated by the demise of the Classic IHL;

Springfield struck a contract w/ Worcester that the AHL granted them a franchise so they aren't a failed market.

Do some research please.

[bomp]

Portland & Baltimore are connected since it was the Baltimore franchise relocating(Cincinnati, now Rockford started there) hence why Baltimore has no arena other than First Mariner.

Eddie Hale who owns the MISL Blast is talking about a new 12-15,000 seat arena to replace the 'fabulous' Baltimore Arena/First Mariner.

He owns First Mariner Bank too so he's a big mover here. Too small for the NHL (not that the Crapitols would allow it) so AHL might be a possibility once again.

But no way in the current dump though.

[bradlehman]

You needed to take a closer look. I put the word "failed" into quotation marks suggesting that while not necessarily failed in the larger sense the market was exited. What frustrates me is the AHL goes back to "old" markets rather than try out new ones. Although one can say Omaha was bold. On another note, I bow to your "research". That's why boards, regardless of subject, exist. So that others may educate despite smarmy comments about doing "research"

[Pounder]

I want to back up Brad on this.

I see a lot of people saying "this market isn't bad, it got screwed by a bad owner."

My argument, when it comes to minor league hockey: there's, at most, 20 good owners.

At some point, some fans have to realize that minor pro teams IN THE USA are proven to have a shelf life. There are too few core fans to keep the operation going when the casual folk either get hit with a bad team or a bad economy. If 50% of a fan base bails because of a non-dominant team, they weren't there for the hockey in the first place. Few people even want to make the investment that might be required (and a risky investment at that) to actually marry the casual fan to the sport.

[chdahs]

You needed to take a closer look. I put the word "failed" into quotation marks suggesting that while not necessarily failed in the larger sense the market was exited. What frustrates me is the AHL goes back to "old" markets rather than try out new ones. Although one can say Omaha was bold. On another note, I bow to your "research". That's why boards, regardless of subject, exist. So that others may educate despite smarmy comments about doing "research"

YOU WOULD'VE BEEN DRUMMED, brahdleman off one board I know of for posting about failed Markets in regards to the AHL, THAT'S WHY you need to do research, not me.

Omaha wasn't bold, it had a successful season but couldn't long-term sustain that competing against the two established teams in that market.

[sportsguy12]

The American Hockey League has a nasty legacy of putting teams back into markets that have "failed".

Consider if you will:

Cleveland
Worcester
Utica
New Haven
Portland
Baltimore
Binghamton
Springfield

Half of these teams were stalwart hockey fans that supported their teams for years. Portland moved to Providence because of a better offer as did Binghamton to Hartford and Worcester to Peoria.

Cleveland didn't have the marketing behind it that the new owners have.

Portland, for example, has seen their attendance increase almost every year since their return 12 years ago. If a team lasts 12 years and is still going strong after its reincarnation, I think that that hardly qualifies as a bad market.

You have no clue with this list.

[BreakersFan]

The American Hockey League has a nasty legacy of putting teams back into markets that have "failed".

Consider if you will:

Cleveland
Worcester
Utica
New Haven
Portland
Baltimore
Binghamton
Springfield

Binghamton played to near sell-outs - the Rangers screwed them and moved to Hartford. When the AHL came back, the crowds returned and they are a difficult ticket to get. Binghamton is not a "failed" AHL market.

[chdahs]

Binghamton played to near sell-outs - the Rangers screwed them and moved to Hartford. When the AHL came back, the crowds returned and they are a difficult ticket to get. Binghamton is not a "failed" AHL market.

BreakersFan:

How did the Rangers screw Binghamton by moving to Hartford when the NHL left for a better market

[Berkshirian]

Okay. Word is they are going to have to move Philadelphia as the arena is about to be razed.

Lowell can't get anybody to their games, and the hot rumor is that they will move to Trenton, while the Trenton team they are replacing moves to Atlantic City, keeping New Jersey's minor league teams in New Jersey.

Where will Philly go? Any ideas? As a New Englander, I'd love to see them in Bangor (building new arena now) but doubt it'd happen. Don't be shocked to see a QMJHL team there very soon....

No arena in Wilmington, none suitable in Baltimore....

Jacksonville? Beautiful arena. Not much of a sports town, though....

Mohegan Sun? Don't laugh....

Is Toledo building a new arena?

[patmc16]

Is Toledo building a new arena?

Yes...

http://www.lucascountyarena.com/

As of now, the plan is to put the ECHL in the building to replace the Storm. It will be the same franchise although they have already said they will not be named the Storm. When I suggested that they might move up to the AHL on the Into The Boards message boards, I pretty much got laughed off the board by people who speculated that the IHL would move in which, ironically, I find laughable. From the looks of the drawings of the new arena, it looks AHL quality which is far, far above the current edition of the IHL.

I speculated that the AHL could move in and affiliate with the Detroit Red Wings. It makes sense to me because the team is now owned by the owners of the Mud Hens baseball team which is affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers and Red Wings are both owned by Mike Illitch. Illitch actually wanted to move the Adirondak Red Wings to Toledo when he shut them down. The folks over there said it wouldn't happen because the Red Wing - Grand Rapids Griffins affiliation is going well. Like no affiliation ended with the teams on good terms.

[Dilbert]

Okay this is what I have heard.

Philly might move somewhere since they want to tear down the Spectrum

Buffalo wants to get out of Rochester and possibly go to Portland leaving Anaheim without an affiliate.

As for bringing in team number 30 for the AHL it has been suggested to give Cincinnati another try.

Kansas City has also been mentioned since they failed at getting an NHL team

[djchuckc]

KC area (Independence) is on track to have a CHL team playing in a brand new 5,000 seat arena in 2009. AHL would be nice though, don't get me wrong.

[Pounder]

http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/edmonton-oilers/story.html?id=7a0c947c-b6ff-4de7-94d1-b8ca6abb23e3&p=1

Western teams are weighing options regarding a possible west coast-based division for the AHL.

Not the first time an article like that has come out, but it usually comes out in ECHL cities seeking an upgrade. This is the first indication I've heard where NHL teams might be seriously looking at this.

[rams80]

http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/edmonton-oilers/story.html?id=7a0c947c-b6ff-4de7-94d1-b8ca6abb23e3&p=1

Western teams are weighing options regarding a possible west coast-based division for the AHL.

Not the first time an article like that has come out, but it usually comes out in ECHL cities seeking an upgrade. This is the first indication I've heard where NHL teams might be seriously looking at this.

The common thought I've heard is that you would need a "perfect storm" of 5 franchises/affiliations becoming available for this to have a chance of happening and succeeding.

[Shootmaster_44]

http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/edmonton-oilers/story.html?id=7a0c947c-b6ff-4de7-94d1-b8ca6abb23e3&p=1

Western teams are weighing options regarding a possible west coast-based division for the AHL.

Not the first time an article like that has come out, but it usually comes out in ECHL cities seeking an upgrade. This is the first indication I've heard where NHL teams might be seriously looking at this.

This may simply be a rumor not founded anywhere in fact. But The Roadrunners franchise that the article refers to is apparently destined to land in Saskatoon. From what I've heard the reason the Oilers haven't placed it here yet is a clause in the WHL's Blades' lease. Apparently, the Blades have right of first refusal on any date they wish to use for hockey (though it seems that only applies to other sports teams and not concerts). As the Blades typically play weekends, when the AHL typically plays the bulk of its games, the two could not coexist at Credit Union Centre. If I remember correctly, it may even go so far as to bar any hockey team that is not an NHL club from using Credit Union Centre as its primary facility. The lease expires in 2010 and it is expected the Roadrunners will push to use Credit Union Centre.

This animosity between the Oilers and the Blades stems from a deal that was offered by the Oilers (specifically Patrick Laforge) to Blades owner Jack Brodsky. I believe it came about in the spring of 2006. What the Oilers wanted to do is trade Jack Brodsky the Roadrunners for the Blades. The Oilers saw how well the Flames and Hitmen worked and wanted a WHL team for Rexall Place. Brodsky flatly refused and the WHL ended up granting the Oilers an expansion franchise. From what I've heard Laforge and the Oilers are angry that Brodsky refused the deal and intend on crushing the Blades.

So come 2010, the Roadrunners will likely be in Saskatoon and the Blades may cease to exist. The one saving grace for the Blades is that the University of Saskatchewan intends to have a twin-pad 5,000 seat arena built next to campus. I am unsure whether both rinks will each sit 5,000 or whether one will be a main arena and one will not. However, it opens the possibility that the Blades could be a tenant there sharing the arena with the U of S' men's and women's hockey teams. There would still be the scheduling conflicts as far as weekends at that facility (unless the plan is to have two games going on at once) as CIS hockey typically runs from September until March. However, the women typically play afternoon games and both CIS teams tend to alternate home and road trips (and don't play Sundays), so if the WHL worked their schedule right the two could easily coexist at the facility.

So I doubt you'll see this West Coast, California area division sprout unless 5 existing AHL teams were to move West. From all accounts, AEG the owners of the Kings and Manchester Monarchs are quite happy with Manchester. The team draws exceedingly well in comparison to most AHL clubs. It would be silly for AEG to move that team out of that profitable situation.

I think as far as the yo-yo AHL players who bounce up and down between the NHL and AHL, you'll find them playing for ECHL close by. This is what the Canucks have been doing with some players, instead of sending them to Manitoba, the ones who are needed on short notice are kept in Victoria of the ECHL instead. I think you'll find the Kings doing that with their new "ECHL" club in Ontario. Likely, you'll find the Ducks and Sharks doing the same. In fact, I'm surprised neither have linked up with Bakersfield. The Kings have always had some unofficial situation in Bakersfield, but nothing permanent.

I've also heard that the Kings may simply move their Reading franchise to Ontario and the Phantoms may end up in Reading. From all accounts AEG and the Kings have denied the rumors and I have heard nothing from the Flyers on this one, but apparently that is one of the rumors flying around. This would, however, explain how Ontario is in the ECHL without actually being in the ECHL. It would also confirm the speculations that the Flyers want to move the Phantoms out of the Spectrum. Reading would be a good fit for the AHL as well. Last time I saw minor league hockey attendance figures the Royals were 5th overall, well ahead of many AHL clubs. So if they support AA hockey this well, AAA would be a no brainer.

[rams80]

I thought the Ontario ECHL team was going to be an expansion team.

[Shootmaster_44]

I thought the Ontario ECHL team was going to be an expansion team.

That's what was initially thought. However, there has been speculation in the Reading papers that Royals will simply move. The ECHL was quoted at one point saying that no one from Ontario had contacted them about a team nor has the city been granted an expansion team. What this leads me to believe is that the Royals could be headed West. The only sticking point is that AEG has to buy the other 50% of the club from a local group know as SMG (not sure what its stands for but I'm guessing Sports Management Group). If that is completed, I'd assume that the Reign will simply be the Reading Royals.

Nothing has been made official, as I doubt AEG/SMG would want fans to bail on the team before the season is done.

[rams80]

That's what was initially thought. However, there has been speculation in the Reading papers that Royals will simply move. The ECHL was quoted at one point saying that no one from Ontario had contacted them about a team nor has the city been granted an expansion team. What this leads me to believe is that the Royals could be headed West. The only sticking point is that AEG has to buy the other 50% of the club from a local group know as SMG (not sure what its stands for but I'm guessing Sports Management Group). If that is completed, I'd assume that the Reign will simply be the Reading Royals.

Nothing has been made official, as I doubt AEG/SMG would want fans to bail on the team before the season is done.

Local group known as SMG, or the "destroyer of franchises and joy" SMG?

I'm not sure how much the ECHL wants to lose a solid market like Reading.

[Shootmaster_44]

Local group known as SMG, or the "destroyer of franchises and joy" SMG?

I'm not sure how much the ECHL wants to lose a solid market like Reading.

I think its a local group and not a group that owns many teams. However, I'm not entirely sure.

I'm not sure the ECHL wants to lose Reading. However, I'm not sure they have much choice if the Phantoms received a lease in Reading. Generally, most teams' leases have an out clause for the facility that allows them to essentially evict a lower level team for a higher level one. There are only two exceptions I know of to this and both are here in Saskatchewan and in the WHL. Both the Regina Pats and Saskatoon Blades' leases guarantee them the facilities except if an NHL club were to move in and does not make exceptions for the AHL (or ECHL if that is a higher level or not).

[Pounder]

Oddly enough, the WHL Winter Hawks have a similar lease in Portland with the Trail Blazers (since Paul Allen bought the Rose Garden) and the Rose Quarter (including Memorial Coliseum). OTOH, that lease is (per the owners) killing the Winter Hawks, or the owners' incompetence (per the Blazers and most other observers) is doing the killing.

I'm not sure how many cards the Oilers hold in Saskatoon. Furthermore, I could argue that the workarounds for the supposed new college arena aren't seen as feasible by the Blades. OTOH, Credit Union appears to be too big for the Blades, no? Awkward situation, to say the least.

My understanding is that the "perfect storm" is probably a few years away. The article misses one point- Vancouver would be resettling their AHL team in Victoria really quickly if it happened. LA, Vancouver. maybe Phoenix... just seeking 2-3 other commitments. Still, it'll take time and some cajones to get done.

[Shootmaster_44]

I'm not sure how many cards the Oilers hold in Saskatoon. Furthermore, I could argue that the workarounds for the supposed new college arena aren't seen as feasible by the Blades. OTOH, Credit Union appears to be too big for the Blades, no? Awkward situation, to say the least.


I'm not entirely sure. However, there have been rumblings from the business community that seem to support the theory behind the Roadrunners landing here. I have heard there are some business leaders who are willing to partner with the Oilers for this team. Its simply a waiting game until there is an opening to negotiate with CUC. I have a feeling things will become more concrete this fall when the Oilers hold their training camp in Saskatoon (not sure if its rookie camp or the main camp though).

The only reason I mentioned the arena at the U of S is that would be the only way the Blades would stay alive. The most likely scenario would be the team moving to another city, though I don't know what city is wanting a team.

CUC is too large most nights for the Blades. There is the odd game where they draw above the 5,000 mark (i.e. nationally televised or a future NHL star is in town) but for the most part CUC is too large. At one point there was a plan to build a smaller arena at CUC that would seat 5-7,000. But I have a feeling that plan has been done away with. If that other arena was built then I could see the Blades moving there and trying to coexist like the Edmonton Ice did at the Agricom about 10 years ago.

The other thing that won't help the Blades is there is a bid in for the 2010 World Juniors. Part of that plan is to fill in the seats at the open end of the arena. I believe that would put capacity around the 17,000 mark. Thus causing the Blades paltry 5,000 per game attendance to appear even smaller. The only ace the Blades have up their sleeve is the plan to bid on the 2013 Memorial Cup. If they are successful with that (and I believe the site will be chosen before 2010) I can't see CUC booting them out in favor of an AHL team.

It is shaping up to be a major fight between the two. I don't see there being a major outcry if the Blades were to move. Their support has never been overly passionate in this city. Basically, they are supported because there's nothing else here. However, when I've mentioned an AHL team to people and heard the buzz around town for it, people seem excited. Perhaps they have high expectations of what the AHL is, but it seems like people are tired of the Blades and are clamoring for something new.

I also foresee the Blades attendance dropping with a new arena on campus. The Huskies are perennially one of the best teams in Canada and a new arena that is technically off-campus will help draw people in. I could see the casual hockey fans gravitating over there and away from the Blades, if for no other reason than to check out the new arena.

All in all I think its safe to say that the Roadrunners franchise won't be moving to California any time soon.

[davyd83]

Officially, the Ontario ECHL franchise is a relocation of the (Beaumont) Texas Wildcatters. It appears that the Kings will be Ontario's parent club, leaving Reading in search of an affiliation.

As far as other potential markets, a Devils move into Trenton would not be surprising, nor would the Flyers moving into Reading. If Baltimore does get a new arena, it would be a good spot. However, I've heard stories from a former Bandits coach about staff members getting mugged coming out of the current building. So it is highly unlikely that another AHL team would locate there, unless as a one year stop gap awaiting the completion of a new facility. It is amazing how different the area aroun the 1st Mariner is compared to being just a few blocks away at Camden Yards. Crabcakes anyone???

[aardvark]

I posted something in an ECHL thread today about the Ducks coming to the owners of the SD Sports Arena about moving their Portland franchise to San Diego, probably in '09-'10. Another rumor without any facts?

[rams80]

I posted something in an ECHL thread today about the Ducks coming to the owners of the SD Sports Arena about moving their Portland franchise to San Diego, probably in '09-'10. Another rumor without any facts?

I may be mistaken, but I don't think the Mighty Ducks own the Portland Pirates AHL franchise.

[aardvark]

I don't know if they own that franchise or not--all it said in the SD paper is that the Ducks were trying to find out if the Sports Arena owners would be interested in having their AHL affiliate play in San Diego. I can't see how it would work anyway, unless a bunch of west coast NHL teams all moved their AHL affiliates to the west--all at the same time.

[BreakersFan]

I posted something in an ECHL thread today about the Ducks coming to the owners of the SD Sports Arena about moving their Portland franchise to San Diego, probably in '09-'10. Another rumor without any facts?

I thought that Portland was going to be the Sabres affiliate next season...

[AHLFAN]

The Ducks do not own the Portland Pirates Franchise.

Here is a list of AHL teams own by their parent team:

Philadelphia Phantom - Philadelphia Flyers
Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins - Pittsburgh Penguins
Worcester Sharks - San Jose Sharks
Lowel Devils - New Jersey Devils
Manchester Monarchs - Los Angeles Kings
Bridgeport Sound Tigers - NY Islanders
Hartfor Wolfpack - NY Rangers
Toronto Marlies - Toronto Maple Leafs
Edmont Roadrunners - Edmonton Oilers (inactive)
Houston Aeros - Minnesota Wild Partial Ownership
San Antonio Rampage - Phoenix Cyotes Partial Ownership with Spurs
Quad City Flames - Calgary Flames
Peoria Rivermen - St. Louis Blues

I'm not sure about the Milwaukee Admirals and who owns them.

[davyd83]

The Quad City Flames aren't owned by Calgary. They are owned by a local group, Quad City Sports Ventures, headed by long time QC businessman Dennis Voss.

http://www.qcflames.com/team/ownership.php?id=2

The Peoria Rivermen aren't owned by the St. Louis Blues. They are owned, as they have been since their first tenure as a Blues affiliate and through their ECHL years by Bruce Saurs and Anne Griffith of Peoria.

http://www.amerks.com/FeatureStories.aspx?news_id=140

The Milwaukee Admirals were sold a couple seasons ago from the estate of Jane Pettit to another local Milwaukee group headed by Milwaukee businessman Harris Turer.

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2005/04/11/daily35.html

[AHLFAN]

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/031908/TRI_BG3K8KT4.055.php

Story of the Rivermen being sold to the St. Louis Blues.

[davyd83]

Cool! We both get to be right. I hope that the sale goes through as planned. Mr Saurs and Ms Griffith have been a class act all the way. It was quite a bold move for them to bring "AAA" hockey back to Peoria. Hopefully any sale agreement will include a stipulation that guarantees that the team stays in Peoria for 10 to 15 years

[rams80]

Cool! We both get to be right. I hope that the sale goes through as planned. Mr Saurs and Ms Griffith have been a class act all the way. It was quite a bold move for them to bring "AAA" hockey back to Peoria. Hopefully any sale agreement will include a stipulation that guarantees that the team stays in Peoria for 10 to 15 years

I really hope for that too...since I know the Blues owned the franchise while it was in Worcester...and we all know what eventually happened with that...