24 replies to this topic

[IOWADUCK]

Are the Ducks trying to move their AHL affiliate from Iowa to San Diego?

[MrsBevo]

Not to the best of my knowledge. What has prompted you asking that question?

[Dark Knight]

Are the Ducks trying to move their AHL affiliate from Iowa to San Diego?

Good question. When the Ducks moved from Portland to IA then GM Brian Burke said the Ducks were interested in bringing its AHL affiliate to the West. However, according to Burke that would be a 5-6 years down the road, if memory serves. So the answer is "yes" at least as far as we know, although, obviously, no specific destination has been mentioned.

Somebody who might have a more detailed answer would be Adam Brady at the Ducks (abrady@anaheimducks.com).

Welcome to AD by the way, good to see Iowa fans on our board.

[play puck]

You know I havent herd that, but i would check out Adam Bradys blog like DK said but I think AHL.com/affilates would maybe have some new info as well.

[Dark Knight]

You know I havent herd that, but i would check out Adam Bradys blog like DK said...

That's is not what I said. I recommended he email Brady. If there is no intention of moving the AHL affiliate to the West but in 5-6 years he'd be waiting in vain for the news on the blog.

As far as what Burke said at the time the affiliation with Iowa was announced, here it is:

"The No. 1 thing is the Samuelis [the Ducks' owners] wanted all their farm teams in California. That might take five years, it might take 10 more years. But this is shifted farther west and we're excited about it."

Read More >>

By the way, that's the same article where Burke vehemently (lied) denied he was going to Toronto But that's past history and for another thread.

[woodbutcher]

The Kings ownership group purchases the San Diego Arena last year or early this year. This looks to be where they plan to move their AHL affiliate, at least thats what the rumor mill is saying. There have been talks of taking Bakersfield to the AHL level, not sure what they would do with their ECHL affiliate in that circumstance. Word is they would like to make the move in the next couple years, but at least 3 other teams would have to make the move at the same time to make it financially prudent.

[TheSniper]

The Kings ownership group purchases the San Diego Arena last year or early this year. This looks to be where they plan to move their AHL affiliate, at least thats what the rumor mill is saying. There have been talks of taking Bakersfield to the AHL level, not sure what they would do with their ECHL affiliate in that circumstance. Word is they would like to make the move in the next couple years, but at least 3 other teams would have to make the move at the same time to make it financially prudent.

that would make sense...could be a good place for a AHL....but i think the ducks AHL team would do better than the kings

[VegasJeff]

Please, please, please let this be true. Although it is cool that the University Town Center here in San Diego has a rink in the food court. I remember seeing a team with the "Pfizer" logo on their jerseys.

[Dark Knight]

Please, please, please let this be true.

Not sure what you mean by "this." If you mean moving an AHL affiliate to the West, yes that seems to be the plan. But there's no destination so it could be some where else out West. Just don't get your hopes up

[QuacksMeUp]

I always liked the name of the Mighty Duck's former minor league affiliate in SD. It would also be great for an AHL team, don't you think?

[ladiesandgentlemen]

There has been a lot of skepticism that the AHL would allow any of it's franchises to be located much further west than San Antonio, much less the West Coast (see wildcat48's many postings here). However, there is a real good test case right now for the AHL's Board of Governors' openness to have their franchises located further west. The Calgary Flames have proposed to move their current AHL Quad Cities Flames (Moline, Illinois, near Davenport, Iowa) all the way out to Abbotsford, B.C., which is about 40 miles southeast of Vancouver, B.C. Here is an article for reference.

It will be interesting to see what they do. If they approve it, that should open the door for San Diego... as far as location-wise.

And as far as the existing arena in San Diego, the place is pretty much a dump. I don't think it's ready as it stands for current AHL hockey... by a longshot.

[5MinuteMajor]

The Kings ownership group purchases the San Diego Arena last year or early this year. This looks to be where they plan to move their AHL affiliate, at least thats what the rumor mill is saying. There have been talks of taking Bakersfield to the AHL level, not sure what they would do with their ECHL affiliate in that circumstance. Word is they would like to make the move in the next couple years, but at least 3 other teams would have to make the move at the same time to make it financially prudent.

If the Kings take San Diego, why not look into moving a Ducks AHL affiliate to Long Beach? Long Beach, CA used to have the Ice Dogs, I'm sure the building is capable of housing hockey still. There are lots of Ducks fans in OC, and even LA. Long Beach is on the LA County side, but very close to OC so I'm sure there are lots of Ducks fans there.

The Flames are talking about Abbotsford, BC (Canada), so if that happens plus you have the Dallas Stars affiliate coming to Austin, TX, you can now round out the AHL's western half.

[QuacksMeUp]

If the Kings take San Diego, why not look into moving a Ducks AHL affiliate to Long Beach? Long Beach, CA used to have the Ice Dogs, I'm sure the building is capable of housing hockey still. There are lots of Ducks fans in OC, and even LA. Long Beach is on the LA County side, but very close to OC so I'm sure there are lots of Ducks fans there.

The Flames are talking about Abbotsford, BC (Canada), so if that happens plus you have the Dallas Stars affiliate coming to Austin, TX, you can now round out the AHL's western half.

The Long Beach Arena is pretty banged up. It's probably as bad a barn as the Gulls old arena in San Diego. And in this economy, I can't see them trying to refurbish the LB Arena anytime soon.

[IOWADUCK]

Austin, Abbotsford, Glens Falls joining AHL in 2009-10
04/28/2009 12:40 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League Board of Governors convened for its Spring Meeting today in Chicago. AHL President and CEO David Andrews announced the following:

The Board approved a limited membership to Hicks Cedar Park, LLC, to allow for the operation of an AHL team in Austin, Texas, for the 2009-10 season. The limited membership is conditioned on Hicks Cedar Park, LLC, completing the purchase of an AHL franchise within one year.
The Board approved the relocation of the franchise owned by the Calgary Flames from the Quad Cities to Abbotsford, B.C.
The Board approved the transfer of ownership of the Philadelphia Phantoms franchise from Philadelphia Phantoms, LP, to a newly formed entity known as Phantoms Hockey LLC, owned by the Brooks Group. Subsequently, the Brooks Group was granted approval to relocate its AHL franchise from Philadelphia to Glens Falls, N.Y., beginning with the 2009-10 season.
“On behalf of our Board, it’s my privilege to welcome these three cities to the AHL family,” said Andrews. “We are looking forward to these new opportunities in Austin and Abbotsford, and we’re excited to be returning to the rich AHL tradition and history in Glens Falls.”

The Texas Stars will begin play as the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars at the brand-new 6,800-seat Cedar Park Center in the Austin suburb of Cedar Park this fall. The Abbotsford club will serve as the Calgary Flames’ primary development team and play at the new state-of-the-art Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. And the Philadelphia Flyers’ new affiliate will play in the Glens Falls Civic Center, which was home to four Calder Cup championship teams during the 1980’s and 1990’s.



West Coast here comes the AHL. Abbotsford - tip of the Ice Berg

[woodbutcher]

The Long Beach Arena is pretty banged up. It's probably as bad a barn as the Gulls old arena in San Diego. And in this economy, I can't see them trying to refurbish the LB Arena anytime soon.

Yep, that arena is a dump and they could hardly fill it when the Ice Dogs were there in the first place. I highly doubt enough Anaheim fans would make the drive up there on a consistent basis to make a big enough difference in the attendance. Also, I believe Ontario is the old Long Beach organization via Beaumont, Texas, so that would mean the ECHL would have to allow an expansion to put a team there.

[play puck]

I think the team wont allowed to move another team this close considering that we have Bakersfeild. I mean I live close enough to go to Ontario when the Condors are in but thats just me. Next tine Ill take Pics to show our future.

[thebellringer]

what on god's orange earth made you oc snobs think that ducks fans don't reside on both sides of the oc line. i have it on good authority that they're even allowed into riverside county too.
hockey fans travel.... anyone who's had a kid play knows this....we'll go where the game is

[ladiesandgentlemen]

what on god's orange earth made you oc snobs think that ducks fans don't reside on both sides of the oc line. i have it on good authority that they're even allowed into riverside county too.
hockey fans travel.... anyone who's had a kid play knows this....we'll go where the game is

Where do you see Orange County snobbery here?

Or do you just carry that attitude around like a goiter so big that it occludes your vision?

[play puck]

what on god's orange earth made you oc snobs think that ducks fans don't reside on both sides of the oc line. i have it on good authority that they're even allowed into riverside county too.
hockey fans travel.... anyone who's had a kid play knows this....we'll go where the game is

Not from the OC and not snobby

[sugarmama]

what on god's orange earth made you oc snobs think that ducks fans don't reside on both sides of the oc line. i have it on good authority that they're even allowed into riverside county too.
hockey fans travel.... anyone who's had a kid play knows this....we'll go where the game is

could you explain where this came from because apparently being an OC snob rotted my brain and I'm missing something. The only things I see discussed in this thread are San Diego and Long Beach - both of which are outside of of OC. I don't even see any posts that suggest they're bad ideas because they're not in OC or too far away.

As far as traveling, I've been a huge supporter of the Pirates and the Chops and haven't been able to travel to see them. It's just too far for my schedule and budget.

[SacredCow]

San Diego, Long Beach, Fresno, Sacramento...all would be great locations for the Ducks AHL affiliate, in my opinion.

[DropThePuck]

Ernie Hahn, who runs the Sports Arena has talked to the NHL Anaheim Ducks about becoming their top farm-club affiliate in the American Hockey League. But geography again works against San Diego. The closest teams would be in San Antonio, British Columbia and Winnipeg. And the arena is an issue too. Older, smaller, without skyboxes. And there is the travel issue with a league that spreads from Western Canada to Maine.

<Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton: No more hockey night in San Diego>

[ducksfan95]

The Long Beach Arena is pretty banged up. It's probably as bad a barn as the Gulls old arena in San Diego. And in this economy, I can't see them trying to refurbish the LB Arena anytime soon.

It is?

Im always down there in long beach and the arena doesnt seem that bad, wouldnt take that much to get it for an AHL team

[DropThePuck]

Ron Hahn, who ran the San Diego Gulls on behalf of the Sports Arena during those championship years, is talking to the Anaheim Ducks about becoming their affiliate in the top rated American Hockey League, a year from now. The Ducks cancelled their working agreement in Des Moines with the Iowa Chops, and will send players to multiple clubs this coming winter. As the AHL expands further west, want to bet we have AHL hockey here next winter?

<Hacksaw link>

[Excoriar]

Just FYI, the Sharks have a team in China now called Shanghai Sharks. The logo is almost identical. Why not bring the Ducks out?