2015-16 AHL affiliate - San Diego Gulls

[TesseracT]

This is great news for ANA as well as for the growth of the sport in CA. Next step is to get some CA Pac-12 teams to join Arizona State in joining D1 hockey.

 

[AngelDuck]

If our new AHL team is looking for a head scout I'm their man

 

[bumperkisser]

woo. so happy that the ducks AHL affiliate is now so close.

 

[Hoodaha]

It would be to those who are "outdoor" averse.

A better question might be are trains running after the game is over that would allow one to get back to the OC?

How much will they fleece you on parking is the question...

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

How much will they fleece you on parking is the question...

More than the price of a ticket?

 

[TheJoeMan]

FWIW They've already trademarked the name San Diego Admirals. The link is somewhere in the Business Forum. Not sure which page of the thread it's on.

I think that's more to cover all of their bases than a clear indication of what the team name will be. Lance Pugmire tweeted that the Ducks are close to finalizing Gulls as the name. But in case Admirals gets popular they have that option but I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

 

[Hoodaha]

I think that's more to cover all of their bases than a clear indication of what the team name will be. Lance Pugmire tweeted that the Ducks are close to finalizing Gulls as the name. But in case Admirals gets popular they have that option but I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

There was an article the other day asking people what name they would want, and last I saw, the polling was like 80-85% for Gulls. I think they'll go that route.

 

[Ducksforcup]

I'm very pleased about this development.

One, the prospects are much closer to Anaheim and that's a great thing for both teams. (Also I get to see them, which I am super stoked about!).

Also, this is going to create some stability. Anaheim desperately needs that with its minor league affiliate. Also, since Anaheim owns the team now as well, it will be able to do whatever it wants with the franchise.

It sucks for Norfolk and it is unfortunate this is the way it had to happen, but what can you do?

 

[HansH]

On the downside... the other four teams who are moving West are ALL in playoff position right now, where the NorAds are worst in the East and 2nd-worst in the AHL. Given that they'll be playing a LARGE portion of their games against the four playoff-position teams in their division... this doesn't bode well for the Gulls' place in the standings this first season.

Even more reason for the local management team to market the _frak_ out of the whole night's experience as entertainment. The WCHL team had dominant records as a reason to bring people to the arena -- this team doesn't look like it'll have that luxury.

 

[The Duck Knight]

On the downside... the other four teams who are moving West are ALL in playoff position right now, where the NorAds are worst in the East and 2nd-worst in the AHL. Given that they'll be playing a LARGE portion of their games against the four playoff-position teams in their division... this doesn't bode well for the Gulls' place in the standings this first season.

Even more reason for the local management team to market the _frak_ out of the whole night's experience as entertainment. The WCHL team had dominant records as a reason to bring people to the arena -- this team doesn't look like it'll have that luxury.

There's also a lot of roster turnover year to year though. Just because they haven't been great this year isn't any indication they won't be more competitive next year in San Diego. Plus, guys like Theodore, Ritchie, Welinski, etc. will likely be with the Ads/Gulls by then.

 

[KickHisAssZegrass]

They are also in talks to make the developing rink in Poway, which I didn't even know was being built, the practice facility. That gives San Diego 6 public rinks! That's just crazy.

 

[Nosedive]

Gulls > Mariners > Admirals

 

[Bender66]

Just so we're clear on the pecking order here.

 

[Tecumseh]

Think they'll keep all of the coaching staff or clean house once the team is in San Diego?

 

[DarthYenik]

Man, didn't think it was going to be this big.

As for the name, I know there's an attachment to the Gulls, but if they kept the Admirals name it would make sense as well, with San Diego being a big Navy town.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Think they'll keep all of the coaching staff or clean house once the team is in San Diego?

Skalde was Yawney's apprentice, I think there's value in maintaining similar systems amongst affiliates. Might see some assistant coach churn, though.

 

[salsa man]

Man, didn't think it was going to be this big.

As for the name, I know there's an attachment to the Gulls, but if they kept the Admirals name it would make sense as well, with San Diego being a big Navy town.

Yeah, but I don't want two Admirals in the same conference, let alone the same league.

 

[Nosedive]

If the organization wants to appeal to San Diego's navy-side, then change the name to Mariners. The San Diego Mariners were a WHA team.

 

[salsa man]

If the organization wants to appeal to San Diego's navy-side, then change the name to Mariners. The San Diego Mariners were a WHA team.

It's not a bad idea.

 

[Papaspud]

The San Diego Gulls were once under the Ducks wings, Denny Lambert comes to mind, and I'd like them to keep that name, if only for nostalgia purposes.

 

[mightyquack]

Good news for California hockey.

 

[Kalv]

What is the majority fanbase in SD?

I heard Canadien teams aree popular there. How are the Kings? Most importantly - how are the Ducks there?

 

[terranraida]

Good news for California hockey.

But super ****** for Virginia hockey, which was still struggling with the loss of the Richmond Renegades.

 

[Lord Flashheart]

Calgary and Edmonton are thrilled.

 

[Govment Cheese]

On the downside... the other four teams who are moving West are ALL in playoff position right now, where the NorAds are worst in the East and 2nd-worst in the AHL. Given that they'll be playing a LARGE portion of their games against the four playoff-position teams in their division... this doesn't bode well for the Gulls' place in the standings this first season.

Why would that matter? Isn't the entire move west about more practice time, easier call ups and saving dollars under the CAP.