Confirmed with Link: Blues Sign 5 Year Deal with Springfield

[JoshFromMO]

Blues reach five-year affiliation with AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds

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[KingBran]

KA-KAWW!

 

[Note Worthy]

Nice!

EDIT: Not gonna lie, I thought this was Springfield, MO or Springfield, IL. I'm a little more disappointed that it's MA. Still cool though!

 

[bleedblue1223]

Good. Nice to get it locked up pretty quickly.

 

[KingBran]

So now the FL Panthers need a new affiliate? Round and round we go.

Sheesh you win a cup and your team sells out to Vegas. Bunch of losers.

 

[Chojin]

Oh thank you jesus

 

[MissouriMook]

So all that hand wringing was for nothing. Huh.



I guess Morty can finally get some sleep.

 

[mk80]

Good deal. Having our prospects back in the northeastern US has it's benefits as there is less distances between teams which allows players to be on the ice more often instead of traveling to games. It's one reason the Canucks love their situation in Utica so much.

The Division opponents for Springfield include:
Hershey Bears (PA), Providence Bruins (RI), Hartford Wolfpack (CT), Charlotte Checkers (NC), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PA), Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PA), Bridgeport Sound tigers (CT)

So while there are still some longer trips involved, the Rampage for example other than having the Texas Stars in nearby Austin, TX were going to Des Moines, Rockford, and Chicago as their next closest opponents.

 

[bluebird enthusiast]

Seems like one of the best-case scenarios happened here. Nice!

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

I tend to follow our AHL team because of my history with it(Peoria season ticket member growing up), and I’m pretty excited they’re gonna be in the Northeast.

The lack of travel will definitely help, and honestly, I’m just excited that they’re going to be playing a completely different schedule against historic AHL franchises that I never really have gotten to watch games of. San Antonio had basically the same schedule as Peoria and Chicago, so it’ll be nice not seeing that same set of teams 10 times a year anymore.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

This is probably better for the players. Less travel time.

For me personally it stinks, since I’m somewhat close to San Antonio. Now there is zero local hockey.

 

[Bluesnatic27]

Who wants to take the over/under that Vegas will take this affiliate?

Let's say, three years.

 

[The Note]

If it’s in Mass. I may have to take a drive out there sometime. It’s a nice trek but it’d be cool to make a day out of it. Glad they got it sorted.

 

[Tbirds85]

Springfield is so excited for St. Louis!!! Everyone here is pumped about this!!!

 

[ezcreepin]

Disappointed the situation with SA didn't work like we wanted, but I'm pumped the Blues are affiliated with Springfield. We love all the guys in San Antonio, ya'll are always welcome back on the board!

 

[Vladys Gumption]

You know my biggest issue with Chicago wasn’t even their insistence on wanting to win. In the long run with was probably a good thing for our prospects. But the way they trashed the Blues in the way out the door after having a great season in large part due to blues prospects and coaches really left a sour taste in my mouth. Here’s to hoping Springfield is a nice fit.

 

[MissouriMook]

Now all we have to do is get @RampageNate to move to Springfield and we're golden!

 

[JMCx4]

Guess I'll have to break out my Thunderbirds T-shirt to celebrate the news. How long, you reckon, before anyone in the St. Louis area recognizes the logo? The five-year clock is ticking.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Now all we have to do is get @RampageNate to move to Springfield and we're golden!

Let’s see.....leave San Antonio.....I think it’s not happening. That city is a delight. Not even removing their hockey team can taint the city too terribly.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

So all that hand wringing was for nothing. Huh.



I guess Morty can finally get some sleep.

ZzZzZzZzZzZzZ

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Good. Nice to get it locked up pretty quickly.

Until Seattle buys them.

 

[542365]

Get bent, Wolves! Great news. They’re far away but that’s so rarely an issue that I don’t care very much.

 

[Ranksu]

Great news all this mumbo jambo ends and players know where they go next season.



Go Thunderbirds!

 

[mk80]

Until Seattle buys them.

I have a feeling this is just joking on your part.

But Seattle does already have their AHL franchise going to Palm Springs. They bought the available 32nd AHL franchise last year, so we don't have to worry about them taking an affiliation away. Home - AHL Palm Springs