The Ducks announced today that they have signed a multi-year affiliation agreement with Iowa of the American Hockey League (AHL).

“We are thrilled to be affiliating with the Schlegel family in a great hockey market such as Des Moines,” said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke. “The Ducks are very excited to have an opportunity to work with an ownership and management team that’s as committed to winning as we are. We would like to thank the Portland Pirates and their fans for their tremendous support over the last three years.”

some kind of reference to the ducks or some kind of bird-like creature (condors, ducks)?

some kind of reference to the ducks or some kind of bird-like creature (condors, ducks)?

Maybe with them starting as the Iowa Stars I wouldn't be surprised to see them being the Des Moines Ducks, maybe.

Again...

They will not be named Ducks.
They will have their own identity with Local branding...

This has all been covered... ad infinitum

I think it deserves it's own thread.

Or two. Or three.

Not Ducks.

They will have local branding and their own identity.

There is no reason to expect even their colors to be similar to the Ducks.

which is the way it should be, it's an affiliation, not an ownership.

true.


i want to see what they will muster up, hope it's not something like the Ontario Reign.

The new team could be the killer bunnies for all I care, but for the next two seasons, they are MY killer bunnies.

"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."

Burke also said that Portland Coach Kevin Dineen has a job with the Iowa team if he chooses to return to the organization. Dineen is reportedly a candidate for a number of NHL openings, most notably in San Jose.

Also, the Reign are a KINGS affiliate, (and are owned by the Kings) so that's what works for them.

The new team could be the killer bunnies for all I care, but for the next two seasons, they are MY killer bunnies.

Jackson said he is already studying where to place the Stars prospects. Among the potential affiliates are Iowa, Hamilton, Manitoba and Peoria.

"While it would be nice to put the majority in one place, I think we're looking out for what's best for each of these players," Jackson said. "If it helps them to develop, then that's what we're going to do. We want consistency, but we can bring them all back together the next year."

The Ducks have said they hope to keep some of the Stars' prospects in Iowa.
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I missed that.

Anybody hear any Ducks management say that?

Anaheim is working with Dallas to have some former Iowa Stars players return to Des Moines next season.

“We’ve asked them to have some continuity and carryover; are there some players we could acquire through trades or they could place here so the fans don’t see 20 new faces on opening night?” Burke said.

I thought Burke meant by trades or through free agent signings that he would like to have a player or two from last year's Stars team.

Wildcat...(or anyone Portland connected)...

Have the Pirates or Sabres requested anything along the same lines of the Ducks organization? Some players to keep some continuity with the fans?

I wouldn't expect either the Stars or the Ducks to pass along any PRIME prospects, but career AHL or borderline NHL prospects might be appropriate.

The Quad City Flames will remain Iowa's natural rival by both distance and schedule next season, according to the schedule format released by the American Hockey League today.
...
Iowa will play West Division foes 64 times, including Milwaukee and Rockford 10 times each. Iowa will play Peoria, San Antonio, Houston and Chicago each eight times.

Iowa also will play six teams from the North Division: Rochester, Grand Rapids, Toronto and Hamilton twice and Lake Erie and Manitoba four times.

Iowa's home opener is scheduled for Oct. 10 at Wells Fargo Arena.

Schlegel Sports, owner of Iowa's American Hockey League team, and the Samueli Foundation announced a joint $20,000 donation for the Embrace Iowa-2008 Disaster Fund to benefit flood victims in Iowa.

The Samueli Foundation was established by the owners of the Anaheim Ducks, Iowa's new NHL affiliate.

"Because Iowa is our home for AHL hockey, our contribution is a demonstration of our commitment - we are truly a part of the Iowa community," said Kirby Schlegel, Schlegel Sports CEO. "We are here to help. This tragedy has affected hundreds of our team's supporters and their families."

Fans will be able to attend American Hockey League games at Wells Fargo Arena in 2008-09 for up to 50 percent off the price they paid last season.

"I wanted to make a statement not just in words, but in action," new team president Steve Nitzel said. "That's just the beginning."
...
An adult end zone season ticket for 40 games cost $640 last season and will cost $320 for 2008-09.

A center ice season ticket cost $800 last season. That ticket will now cost $600.

A season ticket along the glass cost $2,050 last season, and now costs $1,000.

Just a curious hypothetical situation.

Let's just say the 07-08 Pirates win the Calder cup. Who becomes the defending champions? The Pirates franchise, with new players, or the Iowa team who has the roster. Who gets the banner?

Just a curious hypothetical situation.

Let's just say the 07-08 Pirates win the Calder cup. Who becomes the defending champions? The Pirates franchise, with new players, or the Iowa team who has the roster. Who gets the banner?

The new Iowa name should be announced very soon. The initial press conference was on June 3 and they said 3-4 weeks. Stay tuned.

Iowa Thunder. Blue, black, and purple

Iowa Thunder. Blue, black, and purple