Bruins ECHL affiliate Atlanta suspends operations - hopes to return in 2021-22

[Fenway]

The Atlanta Gladiators, the ECHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, have chosen not to participate in the 2020-21 season under the ECHL’s COVID-19 voluntary-suspension policy.

The Gladiators play at Infinite Energy Arena in Gwinnett County and would have been allowed a capacity of only 25% at their games this season. But minor league hockey, and particularly the ECHL, is heavily dependent on ticket revenue to support their operations, so the Gladiators determined that it wouldn’t be financially feasible for them to play this season.

“This is a decision we do not make lightly,” Gladiators president Jerry James said in a release. “Everyone in our organization has pushed to find ways to make this season happen, but the economic viability of our business and the health of our community must be the priority. That is the bottom line for the decision to enact the league’s COVID-19 voluntary-suspension policy.”

Atlanta Gladiators voluntarily suspend season

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[rocketdan9]

The Atlanta Gladiators, the ECHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, have chosen not to participate in the 2020-21 season under the ECHL’s COVID-19 voluntary-suspension policy.

The Gladiators play at Infinite Energy Arena in Gwinnett County and would have been allowed a capacity of only 25% at their games this season. But minor league hockey, and particularly the ECHL, is heavily dependent on ticket revenue to support their operations, so the Gladiators determined that it wouldn’t be financially feasible for them to play this season.

“This is a decision we do not make lightly,” Gladiators president Jerry James said in a release. “Everyone in our organization has pushed to find ways to make this season happen, but the economic viability of our business and the health of our community must be the priority. That is the bottom line for the decision to enact the league’s COVID-19 voluntary-suspension policy.”

Atlanta Gladiators voluntarily suspend season

sad news.... I wonder what will become of the AHL/Providence next season

could slow/halt development for prospects like Swayman

 

[Dr Hook]

sad news.... I wonder what will become of the AHL/Providence next season

could slow/halt development for prospects like Swayman

You wonder how many minor pro teams can absorb a season of suspension. Historically, most of them that have suspended seasons did so as a prelude to folding.

 

[Centrum Hockey]

sad news.... I wonder what will become of the AHL/Providence next season

could slow/halt development for prospects like Swayman

They can technically loan any Boston/Providence owned goalie to any echl team.

 

[Dr Hook]

They can technically loan any Boston/Providence owned goalie to any echl team.

That is true. Teams would occasionally loan goalies (most often) to teams in the Central League/Western Pro League. They just filled out affiliate agreements for one player. They should not have trouble finding one of them a spot to play if needed. They will almost certainly be a better option than the usual ECHL goalie quality.

 

[crimsonace]

That is true. Teams would occasionally loan goalies (most often) to teams in the Central League/Western Pro League. They just filled out affiliate agreements for one player. They should not have trouble finding one of them a spot to play if needed. They will almost certainly be a better option than the usual ECHL goalie quality.

I'd anticipate players in organizations whose affiliates have to suspend operations due to COVID concerns will simply be assigned to other teams - as St. Louis did when it didn't have a direct AHL affiliate two years ago due to the Vegas expansion. Last year, there were 3-4 Providence-contracted players in Atlanta (two of which are under contract this year - Joel Messner and Samuel Asselin) and Bruins-contracted goaltender Kyle Keyser (who missed much of the year with an injury). Dan Vladar also played one game for Atlanta. The AHL/NHL contracted players can be assigned anywhere in the ECHL now.

Dual affiliations on paper in the ECHL (technically, each team is supposed to have one affiliate, but there are some formal and informal working agreements - Fort Wayne was officially affiliated with Vegas last year but also received a number of players from the Kings' organization) are not uncommon. Neither is players under contract to one NHL team being a part of another team's affiliate.