http://wibx950.com/esche-on-ahl-team-coming-to-utica-in-2013-its-not-a-done-deal-but-its-realistic/
If there is a guy to do it its an ex-NHLer from the area.
If there is a guy to do it its an ex-NHLer from the area.
Speculation: Flames to move AHL affiliate to Utica, NY?
- Thread starter StreakingRed
- Start date
Ace Rimmer
Stoke me a clipper.
MainDotC
Depth Defenceman
RFA hockey 1988, 25-0 state champs.
http://www.rfahockey.com/pastscores.asp
FYI for all you Rome haters keep in mind Rome was at the top of its game when GAFB was fully operational. Since the base closing the city has gone into the sewer, and Utica felt the effects as well. However, I don't ever recall seeing Proctor/UFA fighting RFA for any championship games.
http://www.rfahockey.com/pastscores.asp
FYI for all you Rome haters keep in mind Rome was at the top of its game when GAFB was fully operational. Since the base closing the city has gone into the sewer, and Utica felt the effects as well. However, I don't ever recall seeing Proctor/UFA fighting RFA for any championship games.
Ace Rimmer
Stoke me a clipper.
Haters?
I'd wager most people around here have no idea what the hell you're talking about, and have no idea what the point of your post is.
If Utica wants a team, why dont they take OKC, or Biningham?, two lower teams than ABBY
or hell, move albany back, and get the Utica Devils again
or hell, move albany back, and get the Utica Devils again
I dont know whats worse
The fact that im losing my hockey team
the fact that Canucks fans want them gone
or the fact that Canucks fans think the Wolves are moving to abbotsford, with their 2nd in the league attendance
The fact that im losing my hockey team
the fact that Canucks fans want them gone
or the fact that Canucks fans think the Wolves are moving to abbotsford, with their 2nd in the league attendance
Lunatik
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2012
- 56,248
- 8,384
Exactly my thought. The Heat drove out the WHL's Bruins in nearby Chilliwack and there isn't much else in the area that can compete with the Heat's draw. Who knows what the were thinking. Maybe there was concerned about being so far away from other AHL teams. Either way I am a little disappointed I wont be able to catch some of those games.
Lunatik
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2012
- 56,248
- 8,384
read some of the earlier posts in this thread, mine in particular.
or if you don't want to this sums it up better.
less travel + more practice + more rest = prospects developing better
it is no coincidence that the Heat have been the most injured team in the AHL since their inception. I will hate to see the Heat move, but its the smartest thing to do.
Hey guys. From Utica originally and live in Albany now. I played hockey through high school and am an avid fan (rangers...stop throwing stuff
). My dad was involved with the ownership group that originally brought the stars and comets and eventually the devils to the utica area. He has since passed but in hearing of the news this past Sunday I thought I would give my dads old business partner a call. The deal to bring the flames affiliate to utica is in fact done. They're not really sure how it was leaked and they didn't want it to happen. Our local facility has already had the locker rooms and training gfacility built, the lower bowl of seats replaced and the upper tier is just waiting for announcement. The facility upgrade was largely done without public knowledge. I can't name my source at this point but I promised on another board I frequent and will do the same here, I will name them by April 1st, about a week after the formal announcement.
Although I do like to see ahl caliber hockey in utica I do feel for the residents of Abbotsford. I hated the day I saw the devils leave and never thought that city would be able to acquire a team again but it has come to fruition. Please don't slam me as I'm not trying to be confrontational I just wanted to share what I do know.
). My dad was involved with the ownership group that originally brought the stars and comets and eventually the devils to the utica area. He has since passed but in hearing of the news this past Sunday I thought I would give my dads old business partner a call. The deal to bring the flames affiliate to utica is in fact done. They're not really sure how it was leaked and they didn't want it to happen. Our local facility has already had the locker rooms and training gfacility built, the lower bowl of seats replaced and the upper tier is just waiting for announcement. The facility upgrade was largely done without public knowledge. I can't name my source at this point but I promised on another board I frequent and will do the same here, I will name them by April 1st, about a week after the formal announcement. Although I do like to see ahl caliber hockey in utica I do feel for the residents of Abbotsford. I hated the day I saw the devils leave and never thought that city would be able to acquire a team again but it has come to fruition. Please don't slam me as I'm not trying to be confrontational I just wanted to share what I do know.
Its a shame they couldnt get the Connecticut Whale seeing that Hartford doesnt really care to have them and Utica would love to since all Ranger fans.
Bobs your uncle
Registered User
City of Abbotsford taxpayers very unhappy with subsidizing Heat by millions per year and shrinking attendance figures. Placing the Flames AHL affiliate in Abbostford never made any sense from a fan perspective.
Well according to this "fan club" (http://www.facebook.com/UticaFlamesFanClub), rob esche is going to be giving some answers next week.
Fantasy Billionaire
Feel The Heat
Hate to bring this up again however turns out discussions are going on as we speak as members of the Flames brass are headed out to NY at this very moment.
Very good chance this is the last year the Heat are in Abbotsford.
Very good chance this is the last year the Heat are in Abbotsford.
Ace Rimmer
Stoke me a clipper.
From a player development perspective I like the move.
I have confidence the business side of things will work itself out.
I have confidence the business side of things will work itself out.
Stewie is right, its better for player development, which is ultimately what the AHL is about. Very few teams are profitable in the AHL in all reality. Abby's schedule is screwed up because of where the team is located respective to the rest of the league. Too many back to backs, too many consecutive days off in between, and too many empty seats at home games.
Zirakzigil
Global Moderator
One thing nice about where they are now is the ability to easily get players to Calgary on short notice. That cant really happen if they are in NY.
How much quicker? There's direct Flights from NY to Calgary I'm sure. I think the Flames organization was hoping for Calgarians to drive to Abbotsford more often, whereas that's clearly not going to happen when the Heat are located in NY
Zirakzigil
Global Moderator
Direct flights from Abbotsford/Vancouver are an hour. I believe NY is about 7 hours. Big difference if a player gets injured in the morning skate or something like that.
From New York to Calgary is about 4-5.5 hours.
Because from Baltimore-Calgary, it is about 4 hours.
Ace Rimmer
Stoke me a clipper.
Flight time from Utica to Calgary is just over four hours, across two time zones.
Utica is closer to Kingston than it is to NYC.
Utica is closer to Kingston than it is to NYC.
Kingston is a pretty small town, so I doubt people know about it..
It's closer to Syracuse than Kingston.
Ace Rimmer
Stoke me a clipper.
I know where Utica is. Syracuse is an hour away while Kingston is 2.5 hours away.
How do you know Kingston where Kingston is but not Syracuse? Sryacuse is 5-6 times the population AND they have a popular college basketball team!
