AHL Rumour - Abbotsford Heat moving to Utica

[kmitchel]

http://www.uticaod.com/blogs/x11459...key-Returns-To-Utica-Aud-For-2013-2014-Season

Interesting move to move the team from Abby to the US especially based out of Calgary - much more travel from the AHL->NHL if this is true. Then again, the appeal of having a Calgary farm team in the Canucks area made me wonder from the start. With the team apparently having to subsidize travel for other teams because of their remoteness, the team was never making money and with the city of Abbotsford covering all losses - this isn't a surprise to me.

The first question is if this is true, and I suppose the next question if true, do the Canucks move from their AHL team from Chicago (again, makes no sense but their were forced into it when Manitoba/Wpg got the Thrashers) to Abbotsford.

Kevin

 

[Orca Pod]

Having the Flamingo farm team in the Fraser Valley was doomed from the start. To this day, I have no idea what the City of Abbotsford was even thinking when they actively persued the Canucks' nemesis.

I can only hope this is true, and, that the Canucks get the hell out of Chicago and put the farm team in Abbotsford. They were screwed royally with the Thrashers move to Winnipeg, and it sure would be nice to have the farm team very close to home.

A Canuck farm team in Abbotsfrd would immediately increase attendance; maybe not sellouts every game, but close to it. I can't even begin to count the number of people in Abbotsford I know that have never been to a game, for the sole reason that thye don't want to go see Flamingo prospects. they also say if it was the Canucks' farm team, they would definitely go to at least 5 games a season, if not more.

I have been to 5 Heat games total over the years. If it were the Canucks' farm team, I'd probely go to 6 or 7 a year.

 

[Fleury14]

http://www.uticaod.com/blogs/x11459...key-Returns-To-Utica-Aud-For-2013-2014-Season

Interesting move to move the team from Abby to the US especially based out of Calgary - much more travel from the AHL->NHL if this is true. Then again, the appeal of having a Calgary farm team in the Canucks area made me wonder from the start. With the team apparently having to subsidize travel for other teams because of their remoteness, the team was never making money and with the city of Abbotsford covering all losses - this isn't a surprise to me.

The first question is if this is true, and I suppose the next question if true, do the Canucks move from their AHL team from Chicago (again, makes no sense but their were forced into it when Manitoba/Wpg got the Thrashers) to Abbotsford.

Kevin

The Canucks don't actually own their farm team, the Wolves are independently owned, so the Canucks don't have an option to move them.

The agreement between the Canucks and the Wolves does run out after this season though, so it's possible the Canucks could try get a different AHL affiliate (whose agreement is running out with their own NHL partner and/or owner) to move to Abbottsford.

 

[Orca Pod]

The Canucks don't actually own their farm team, the Wolves are independently owned, so the Canucks don't have an option to move them.

The agreement between the Canucks and the Wolves does run out after this season though, so it's possible the Canucks could try get a different AHL affiliate (whose agreement is running out with their own NHL partner and/or owner) to move to Abbottsford.

We realize that the first part. As for the second, that is the option that would be explored. Anyone know which AHL affiliation agreements run out after this season?

 

[bonnev659]

it was in the Ultica paper today too from what I was told by a friend

 

[itsonlycardboard]

isnt this standard procedure for Calgary to move their AHL team every couple years??

And why Utica? How many teams have they had in the past 20 years?

 

[RGM81]

If anybody hurts a hair on Greg Nemisz's head, we will burn Utica to the ground.

 

[avs20]

If anybody hurts a hair on Greg Nemisz's head, we will burn Utica to the ground.

Stand ovation with thunderous clapping to you sir