Speculation: Flames to move AHL affiliate to Utica, NY?

[StreakingRed]

Have you guys heard anything about this? According to this article, it's a done deal.

http://www.uticaod.com/blogs/x11459...key-Returns-To-Utica-Aud-For-2013-2014-Season

No longer rumor, but fact - professional hockey will once again be on display in New York's Mohawk Valley. An American Hockey League affiliate will be in operation for the 2013-2014 season. The Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League's western conference will be developing their talent in the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Click to read more...

 

[Heyoooo*]

I just saw this. Utica is where im from.

Theres been no news on this, or I at least havent seen any.

 

[Janks]

WTF. Why would we be moving our AHL team?

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Aren't they operating basically rent free in Abbotsford?

This makes no sense from both a cost and logistics standpoint, unless other stuff is happening behind the scenes.

 

[Lunatik]

My response from the Abbotsford topic.

Why would the Heat go from Abby - a drivable distance from Calgary - to New York state?

First I'm hearing of it, but it just doesn't make sense. At all.

I would hate to see Abbotsford lose the Heat, but you have to think logically here.

Since the Heat moved to Abbotsford we have led or at least been near the top in injuries, this is often attributed to travel and scheduling since Abbotsford rarely plays weekday games at home and are forced into back to back, if not back to back to back games on a regular basis. 62 of our 76 games are part of a back to back (or b2b2b) situation! That's over 80% of our schedule!

this map sums up the Heats problems perfectly.

They need to move out east, it will give them more time to practice, travel will not wear them down like it is currently and I hate to take this shot at my hometown but at least people will show up to the damn games if they move to Utica.

Also the owner of the Canucks is trying to (or maybe has by now) buy the AESC, it is rumored that he want's the Canucks AHL affiliate in Abbotsford and may be willing to pay a pretty penny to push the Flames out.

 

[InfinityIggy]

My response from the Abbotsford topic.



Also the owner of the Canucks is trying to (or maybe has by now) buy the AESC, it is rumored that he want's the Canucks AHL affiliate in Abbotsford and may be willing to pay a pretty penny to push the Flames out.

Wow that map is jarring. I see your point that they should be moved.

 

[Calculon]

A move eastward makes a lot of sense actually. Logistically, financially, from a players health perspective, travel and so on. And I'm sure the Flames are receiving a fairly substantial financial incentive to leave Abbotsford.

But it would be nice if the farm team could have some stability too.

 

[Noori]

Way less travel for the guys. Probably a good thing and it never did make sense to have a Flames affiliate in Canucks territory. The downside is emergency callups are no longer a short flight away.

 

[Heyoooo*]

Look at their deal in Abbottsford: taxpayers make up revenues below $5.7 million to the franchise. Gotta wonder what Utica is giving them.

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/09/29/abbotsford-heat-could-use-help-connecting-with-fans/

 

[Lunatik]

Way less travel for the guys. Probably a good thing and it never did make sense to have a Flames affiliate in Canucks territory. The downside is emergency callups are no longer a short flight away.

how many times in the past 3 years has there been an emergency call up situation where they didn't know the day before? Quite frankly I don't remember a single time.

 

[haldrich1]

I Live in Utica,NY

i'm from Utica,NY and i don't believe your team is moving, but i'll give you the latest info i found locally.

the Syracuse Crunch owner made comment on the report of Utica getting a team.
http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/2013..._to_utica.html

also found this Rob Esche who played for the Philadelphia Flyers and lives locally has registered the name UticaFlames
http://www.whois.com/whois/uticaflames.com

 

[Heyoooo*]

also found this Rob Esche who played for the Philadelphia Flyers and lives locally has registered the name UticaFlames
http://www.whois.com/whois/uticaflames.com

It changed from Esche to someplace in Scottsdale, AZ now.

 

[Lunatik]

It changed from Esche to someplace in Scottsdale, AZ now.

maybe it was giving out his home address and email

 

[Jihadi Flames Fan]

Wtf..

Why do we keep relocating our minor-league affiliate every 3 or 4 years? It's no wonder we can't develop any of our prospects. They don't know where to report.

 

[YMCMBYOLO]

Yay! I can finally go to games now!

 

[Lunatik]

Why do we keep relocating our minor-league affiliate every 3 or 4 years? It's no wonder we can't develop any of our prospects. They don't know where to report.

that is pretty common in the AHL. Affiliations change regularly.

 

[haldrich1]

It changed from Esche to someplace in Scottsdale, AZ now.

thats something new and interesting..... the rumor going around here is that it was not supposed to break yet. i do know eshe played in Phoenix.

 

[haldrich1]

It changed from Esche to someplace in Scottsdale, AZ now.

thats something new and interesting..... the rumor going around here is that it was not supposed to break yet. i do know eshe played in Phoenix.

 

[haldrich1]

It changed from Esche to someplace in Scottsdale, AZ now.

according to WKTV news Rob Esche is part of the ownership group looking to acquire an AHL team.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

i'm from Utica,NY and i don't believe your team is moving, but i'll give you the latest info i found locally.

the Syracuse Crunch owner made comment on the report of Utica getting a team.
http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/2013..._to_utica.html

also found this Rob Esche who played for the Philadelphia Flyers and lives locally has registered the name UticaFlames
http://www.whois.com/whois/uticaflames.com

First link is busted.

 

[haldrich1]

thats something new and interesting..... the rumor going around here is that it was not supposed to break yet. i do know eshe played in Phoenix.

First link is busted.

i have a screenshot of the post. lets see if it will post here.

 

[MainDotC]

I'm from Rome, NY and I watched several teams fall in Utica like dominoes. I had breakfast at the Harbor Inn in a booth across from Doug Brown of the Devils. I saw the Utica Bulldogs, Blizzard, the Prowlers, the Comets...

Utica is a horrible city with 50% of the inhabitants on welfare. People would be interested in hockey if they didn't have to worry about how to make next month's rent. It's a black hole for hockey. The only hockey that has consistently thrived there is the Utica Pioneer's.

 

[haldrich1]

latest local article

Vicki Hall of the Calgary Herald shared a statement with NBC Sports that Utica has been seeking an opportunity to bring an AHL team back to our city.

http://961wodz.com/ahl-hockey-is-re...es-will-hit-the-ice-for-the-2013-2014-season/

 

[MainDotC]

Flames fans have my sympathy and I will do my best to support if I'm ever in the area. Look at the stands in Glenns Falls where Binghamton is playing tonight: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bsenshockeylive

Those are the kinds of stands you can expect in Utica. Place only holds like 2K people as it is!

 

[MainDotC]

Vicki Hall of the Calgary Herald shared a statement with NBC Sports that Utica has been seeking an opportunity to bring an AHL team back to our city.

http://961wodz.com/ahl-hockey-is-re...es-will-hit-the-ice-for-the-2013-2014-season/

Why in the name of god would anyone bring a hockey team back to Utica? Haven't the lessons already been learned? Didn't the Prowlers owner stop paying the salaries in the last instance?