New Rivals Highlight 2011-12 Heat Opponents

Published on July 14, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


ABBOTSFORD BC - The Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League (AHL) are pleased to announce their opponents for the 2011-12 season.

This season, with the conferences re-aligned and the divisions reset, conference and division play will be a factor each and every night as all 76 games this season will be within the Western Conference. Now residing in the West Division of the Western Conference, the Heat will host division rivals and conference champions, the Houston Aeros, 2009-10 conference champions, the Texas Stars, the San Antonio Rampage and the Oklahoma City Barons at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre four times each, as well as visit the opposing venues four times apiece as well.

Within the conference, the Heat will play the remaining 10 teams twice at home and twice away, with the exception of the Chicago Wolves, the new affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks. The Wolves and Heat will meet four times at the AESC and four times in the Windy City this upcoming campaign.

The Charlotte Checkers will make their first ever appearance in the Pacific Time Zone this season. Now in the Western Conference after qualifying for the Eastern Conference Final in their first season, the Checkers will play a pair of games in the Fraser Valley, with the Heat returning the favor for a pair of contests in North Carolina.

"We are pleased with this schedule breakout for the upcoming season," commented Dave Sheldon, Director of Communications and Broadcast. "Now that the focus in the AHL is conference based, we recognize that the value of each game is that much more important. In order for us to succeed, we have to win within our conference. With this schedule, we get the opportunity to do that each and every night."

The American Hockey League will look to release the AHL schedule in August.

Opponents for 2011-12 - (NHL affiliation in parentheses):

West Division: Midwest Division: North Division:

Houston Aeros (MIN) Chicago Wolves (VAN) Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)

Oklahoma City Barons (EDM) Charlotte Checkers (CAR) Hamilton Bulldogs (MTL)

San Antonio Rampage (FLA) Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) Lake Erie Monsters (COL)

Texas Stars (DAL) Peoria Rivermen (STL) Rochester Americans (BUF)

Rockford Ice Hogs (CHI) Toronto Marlies (TOR)

Four Home and Four Away Two Home and Two Away* Two Home and Two Away

*Heat to play Chicago four home and four away.

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