Speculation: Canucks to move AHL affiliate to Lower Mainland after Utica agreement expires?

[canuckfan75]

Pacific Coliseum , Abbotsford or Surrey?


They may be moving out west


http://www.howlings.net/2017/01/06/...ve-ahl-changes-for-2017-2018-about-to-unfold/

Click to read more...

 

[Hollywood Burrows]

There's nothing new reported here. The Canucks have a contract to remain in Utica until 2017-18.

 

[Nucker101]

Really don't think this will work as well as people think it will.

 

[Jyrki21]

One wild card is a new arena in Surrey, BC, located just north of Vancouver.

Credibility gone.

Seriously, though, I hope it's not as definitive as they're making it sound.

 

[Nuckles]

Really don't think this will work as well as people think it will.

Yeah, especially since our prospect pool is garbage I can't imagine many Canucks fans going to watch our AHL team if it was in BC. The travel would also be pretty rough compared to playing out East. I would happily keep them in Utica.

 

[RobertKron]

Yeah, especially since our prospect pool is garbage I can't imagine many Canucks fans going to watch our AHL team if it was in BC. The travel would also be pretty rough compared to playing out East. I would happily keep them in Utica.

They're likely far better off in Utica. Moving to the lower mainland would give them a quick PR boost, though.

 

[WTG]

Good for the canucks, bad for Utica (duh)

This relationship between Utica and Vancouver wasn't going to last, just too far away.

Utica does deserve a team though, so I hope they strike a deal with some of other team to make sure Utica gets a team. Maybe the canucks can help them get another AHL team?

 

[Pip]

Given how terrible the AHL team I doubt I'd even go if I was given free tickets and if it was in Abbotsford. This market can barely support a bad NHL team, never mind a terrible AHL team.

 

[The Drop]

Zero prospects. Doubt ticket sales would be good

 

[KeninsFan]

I'd honestly rather them stay in Utica. They have a great fanbase and under Henning they were a top notch affiliate.

I don't think a team in Abbotsford will be a great draw. I honestly can't be bothered to see the Nucks play for $25 tix. Doubt casual fans will be hyped for AHL games.

 

[racerjoe]

Its a bad move until more teams move out west. They are in a great spot right now. They need to have the time to practice.

 

[ATypicalCanadian]

Only way I see there being significant interest is if there's actually prospects to watch there. I'm talking the Demko, Boeser, Juolevi types not the Stewart's, or AHL scrubs like Megna, Chaput.

Location wise I almost want to think they'd select Abbotsford and get a team back in there. It would also get fans that can't get to Canucks games another option.


Side note , how would this affect travel time for callups on the road ? I'm sure it's been talked about before, but I cNt remember specifics.

 

[Street Hawk]

They're likely far better off in Utica. Moving to the lower mainland would give them a quick PR boost, though.

I expect them to move their AHL team west, but not to BC.

All of the Pacific teams team except Arizona have their AHL team in California. San Diego, Ontario, Bakersfield, Stockton, and San Jose. Arizona has theirs in Tuscon.

So, the logical move is to aim for somewhere like Sacramento, long Beach where for IHL ice dogs used to play. Maybe Fresno.

Expect Vegas to setup their AHL team in California as well.

Also, AHL teams play most of their games within their division, so they would be mostly traveling in California.

 

[Huggy43]

Such a bad idea & shafts Utica pretty hard.

Sounds like a Linden move

 

[Zombotron]

Modified editorialized thread title.

 

[Pip]

Only way I see there being significant interest is if there's actually prospects to watch there. I'm talking the Demko, Boeser, Juolevi types not the Stewart's, or AHL scrubs like Megna, Chaput.

Location wise I almost want to think they'd select Abbotsford and get a team back in there. It would also get fans that can't get to Canucks games another option.


Side note , how would this affect travel time for callups on the road ? I'm sure it's been talked about before, but I cNt remember specifics.

My guess is that Boeser and Juolevi don't touch the AHL, even if it could help them. They'd have to go full Virtanen for that to happen.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

One question:
What's the point?

 

[RandV]

One question:
What's the point?

I'm guessing fans who don't follow closely enough to realize Utica is a great place for a farm team simply like the idea of having it at home.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

I'm guessing fans who don't follow closely enough to realize Utica is a great place for a farm team simply like the idea of having it at home.

Find me another AHL team that consistently sell out their games.

 

[Pure West]

Hope not. I guess there are a few more teams out in the West now, but still the travel time and costs are much tougher for a minor league team out here. Not to mention, as a developmental league practice time is imperative and gets drastically reduced with all the extra travel. Quick call-ups are nice and all, but not more important than the development of the young players.

That doesn't even get into the level of fan support that they are likely not going to get in a crowded Vancouver hockey marketplace. There's already the Canucks who have seen reduced demand, but also a WHL team in Langley, and the BCHL competing for that family-friendly demographic. The players have had great things to say about the fan support in Utica in a small, intimate arena that is always sold out (or close to it). It helps make them enjoy their experience in the AHL rather than sulk.

 

[TacitEndorsement]

WHY!?!?! Utica has been the perfect affiliate location.

Huge fan presence, away from the Vancouver spotlights, less travel in the Eastern timezone.

Brutal.

 

[Nash]

Yeah, especially since our prospect pool is garbage I can't imagine many Canucks fans going to watch our AHL team if it was in BC. The travel would also be pretty rough compared to playing out East. I would happily keep them in Utica.

The Canucks have been testing out the viability of support for an AHL level team in Vancouver for a couple of years now.

 

[Nuckles]

The Canucks have been testing out the viability of support for an AHL level team in Vancouver for a couple of years now.

 

[SaltyKesler]

The Canucks have been testing out the viability of support for an AHL level team in Vancouver for a couple of years now.

You know how it goes

 

[bobbyb2009]

Add me to the list that thinks this is a terrible idea:

1) Utica could not be more supportive of the team there- Great partner
2) Utica is in a great location to practice and travel to games
3) Utica is outside of the glare of a big hockey market where players can get down to the business of getting better
4) There is no chance that the Lower Mainland supports an AHL team to the level of Utica. Empty stands is no place for young players to develop either- Utica is a fantastic environment

This would be a colossal mistake for all involved (unless Utica found a better NHL partner- then it is a good idea for them).