- As is always the case this time of year players are dinged up and playing with injuries. A couple of players did not practice but would assume everyone will be available to play against Rapid City.
- Had the chance to spend a few minutes with newly signed Patrik Valcak who just arrived in Allen Monday afternoon. If you noticed the ECHL transactions on Sunday it was reported Patrik had been signed by Allen and placed on reserve. Valcak was injured in his last game in Poland so he will not be in the line up against Rapid City. He is really happy to be in Allen and looks forward to playing for the Americans. Patrik shared he has relatives who live in Plano and also that he and Josef Fojtik have known each other since they met playing hockey at age twelve.
- When you consider there are 28 teams in the ECHL, if a player is in the top fifteen in any statistical category that is quite impressive so to see the numerous categories that are dominated by Allen players is amazing. Will try to illustrate this below by listing the top three players on the team with their stat and then where they rank in the league in that stat. Have included Jack Combs even though he is no longer with the team.
Points - Costello 66 (#1), Combs 56 (#2), Steffes 40 (#13)
Goals - Steffes 26 (#1), Combs 22 (#4), Costello 21 (#6)
Assists - Costello 45 (#1), Combs 34 (#2), Gens 25 (#12)
Power Play Goals - Steffes 10 (#1), Schultz 8 (#2), Combs 4 (#35)
Power Play Assists - Costello 14 (#1), Combs 11 (#5), Gens 10 (#8)
Shorthanded Goals - Hanson 3 (#2), Six tied with one
Game Winning Goals - Combs 6 (#2), Steffes 5 (#6), Hanson Schultz, Costello 4 (#9)
Penalty Minutes - Lyon 214 (#1), Gens 123 (#10), Schultz 86 (#22)
Plus/Minus - Costello +28 (#3), Combs +24 (#4), Trevor Ludwig +22 (#6)
Shots On Goal - Steffes 145 (#4), Combs 135 (#8), Costello 117 (#26)
Points By Defenseman - Gens 30 (#1), Young & Baker 26 (#6), Tyler Ludwig 24 (#12)
GAA - Gill 2.40 (#5)
Save Percentage - Gill .918 (#6)
Goalie Wins - Gill 20 (#2)
- Yesterday's post had some information about the AHL/ECHL silly season and the rumored creation of a Pacific Division in the AHL which would have a big impact on the ECHL. It appears these decisions have already been made and the official announcements will start happening this week. Here is an article written by the staff at the New Hampshire Union Leader (unionleader.com) which provides some specific details on the moves on how they will be rolled out.
On Monday in Utica, N.Y., site of Monday night’s AHL All-Star Game, league president Dave Andrews wasn’t about to confirm Manchester’s or any other team’s move.
The Monarchs, along with four other AHL teams, are moving West to be closer to their NHL affiliates for efficiencies and cost savings. Moving Manchester makes sense to the Kings’ organization since Ontario is about 30 miles away from the Staples Center. Now, if the Kings want to recall a player, it requires a cross-country airline trip.
On Monday, the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported that “a source close to the American Hockey League Board of Governors confirmed Sunday that it voted to approve a West Coast Division ... The AHL swore team officials to silence Sunday, threatening fines for leaks.”
Ontario is currently home to the Ontario Reign of the East Coast Hockey League. The Reign and the Manchester Monarchs are both owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), along with the Kings. As reported, Manchester will be part of a simple swap, with the Reign replacing the Monarchs next season at the Verizon Wireless Arena. In essence, the Reign will become the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL, currently a league below the AHL.
The AHL’s Andrews on Monday gave the five AHL franchises affected by the vote — Manchester, Worcester (San Jose Sharks), Norfolk, Va. (Anaheim Ducks), Oklahoma City (Edmonton Oilers) and Glens Falls, N.Y. (Calgary Flames) — the opportunity to break the news to their local fans later this week. The AHL is scheduled to hold a press conference Thursday.
Andrews and the AHL’s board of governors met at Turning Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona, N.Y., on Sunday, but Andrews would not confirm that the board approved a West Coast division during his news conference on Monday.
“We’re still not across the line on a Pacific Division launch this year,” he said. “There are still unresolved issues.”
Andrews at first said he would not take questions on the possible moves, saying he was not at liberty to speak on them, then answered roundabout questions in roundabout ways. “I need the grace of some bit of time to cross the T’s and dot the I’s,” he said.
The creation of a new division would result in a new alignment of the AHL’s Western and Eastern conferences and six divisions. Andrews said that would have to be done by the league’s spring meeting May 11, and that in practical terms everything would have to be set by the first week in April.”
Then Andrews did talk about “strengthening” and “stabilizing” the AHL which suggested some markets are going to lose their AHL teams.
“We’re going through a process we’ve never been through before,” Andrews said. “It is difficult for some markets, but it is something we have to do. It will strengthen the league. It is not something fans in some markets will feel good about, but strengthening the league and stabilizing the league is important to the fan base overall.”
Some markets that lose AHL franchises, if not all of them, will have professional hockey next year, Andrews said, a reference to the ECHL. - See more at: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150127/SPORTS0702/150129175#sthash.7FxS4Jns.dpuf
- When you consider there are 28 teams in the ECHL, if a player is in the top fifteen in any statistical category that is quite impressive so to see the numerous categories that are dominated by Allen players is amazing. Will try to illustrate this below by listing the top three players on the team with their stat and then where they rank in the league in that stat. Have included Jack Combs even though he is no longer with the team.
Points - Costello 66 (#1), Combs 56 (#2), Steffes 40 (#13)
Goals - Steffes 26 (#1), Combs 22 (#4), Costello 21 (#6)
Assists - Costello 45 (#1), Combs 34 (#2), Gens 25 (#12)
Power Play Goals - Steffes 10 (#1), Schultz 8 (#2), Combs 4 (#35)
Power Play Assists - Costello 14 (#1), Combs 11 (#5), Gens 10 (#8)
Shorthanded Goals - Hanson 3 (#2), Six tied with one
Game Winning Goals - Combs 6 (#2), Steffes 5 (#6), Hanson Schultz, Costello 4 (#9)
Penalty Minutes - Lyon 214 (#1), Gens 123 (#10), Schultz 86 (#22)
Plus/Minus - Costello +28 (#3), Combs +24 (#4), Trevor Ludwig +22 (#6)
Shots On Goal - Steffes 145 (#4), Combs 135 (#8), Costello 117 (#26)
Points By Defenseman - Gens 30 (#1), Young & Baker 26 (#6), Tyler Ludwig 24 (#12)
GAA - Gill 2.40 (#5)
Save Percentage - Gill .918 (#6)
Goalie Wins - Gill 20 (#2)
- Yesterday's post had some information about the AHL/ECHL silly season and the rumored creation of a Pacific Division in the AHL which would have a big impact on the ECHL. It appears these decisions have already been made and the official announcements will start happening this week. Here is an article written by the staff at the New Hampshire Union Leader (unionleader.com) which provides some specific details on the moves on how they will be rolled out.
The
Manchester Monarchs scheduled a news conference for Friday at 3 p.m. to
announce their imminent departure from New Hampshire.
As first reported last week in the New Hampshire Union Leader, the Monarchs will begin next season in Ontario, Calif., as one of five members of a new West Coast division in the American Hockey League.
Brian McKenna, commissioner of the East Coast Hockey League, will attend the news conference at Verizon Wireless Arena. He will be joined by Luc Robitaille, president/business operations of the Los Angeles Kings; Matt Welch, executive vice president of the Manchester Monarchs, and Darren Abbott, president of the Monarchs. Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas will also be at the press conference.
On Monday in Utica, N.Y., site of Monday night’s AHL All-Star Game, league president Dave Andrews wasn’t about to confirm Manchester’s or any other team’s move.
The Monarchs, along with four other AHL teams, are moving West to be closer to their NHL affiliates for efficiencies and cost savings. Moving Manchester makes sense to the Kings’ organization since Ontario is about 30 miles away from the Staples Center. Now, if the Kings want to recall a player, it requires a cross-country airline trip.
On Monday, the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported that “a source close to the American Hockey League Board of Governors confirmed Sunday that it voted to approve a West Coast Division ... The AHL swore team officials to silence Sunday, threatening fines for leaks.”
Ontario is currently home to the Ontario Reign of the East Coast Hockey League. The Reign and the Manchester Monarchs are both owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), along with the Kings. As reported, Manchester will be part of a simple swap, with the Reign replacing the Monarchs next season at the Verizon Wireless Arena. In essence, the Reign will become the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL, currently a league below the AHL.
The AHL’s Andrews on Monday gave the five AHL franchises affected by the vote — Manchester, Worcester (San Jose Sharks), Norfolk, Va. (Anaheim Ducks), Oklahoma City (Edmonton Oilers) and Glens Falls, N.Y. (Calgary Flames) — the opportunity to break the news to their local fans later this week. The AHL is scheduled to hold a press conference Thursday.
Andrews and the AHL’s board of governors met at Turning Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona, N.Y., on Sunday, but Andrews would not confirm that the board approved a West Coast division during his news conference on Monday.
“We’re still not across the line on a Pacific Division launch this year,” he said. “There are still unresolved issues.”
Andrews at first said he would not take questions on the possible moves, saying he was not at liberty to speak on them, then answered roundabout questions in roundabout ways. “I need the grace of some bit of time to cross the T’s and dot the I’s,” he said.
The creation of a new division would result in a new alignment of the AHL’s Western and Eastern conferences and six divisions. Andrews said that would have to be done by the league’s spring meeting May 11, and that in practical terms everything would have to be set by the first week in April.”
Then Andrews did talk about “strengthening” and “stabilizing” the AHL which suggested some markets are going to lose their AHL teams.
“We’re going through a process we’ve never been through before,” Andrews said. “It is difficult for some markets, but it is something we have to do. It will strengthen the league. It is not something fans in some markets will feel good about, but strengthening the league and stabilizing the league is important to the fan base overall.”
Some markets that lose AHL franchises, if not all of them, will have professional hockey next year, Andrews said, a reference to the ECHL.
- See more at: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150127/SPORTS0702/150129186/1003/sports#sthash.9hREyilj.dpuf
As first reported last week in the New Hampshire Union Leader, the Monarchs will begin next season in Ontario, Calif., as one of five members of a new West Coast division in the American Hockey League.
Brian McKenna, commissioner of the East Coast Hockey League, will attend the news conference at Verizon Wireless Arena. He will be joined by Luc Robitaille, president/business operations of the Los Angeles Kings; Matt Welch, executive vice president of the Manchester Monarchs, and Darren Abbott, president of the Monarchs. Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas will also be at the press conference.
On Monday in Utica, N.Y., site of Monday night’s AHL All-Star Game, league president Dave Andrews wasn’t about to confirm Manchester’s or any other team’s move.
The Monarchs, along with four other AHL teams, are moving West to be closer to their NHL affiliates for efficiencies and cost savings. Moving Manchester makes sense to the Kings’ organization since Ontario is about 30 miles away from the Staples Center. Now, if the Kings want to recall a player, it requires a cross-country airline trip.
On Monday, the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported that “a source close to the American Hockey League Board of Governors confirmed Sunday that it voted to approve a West Coast Division ... The AHL swore team officials to silence Sunday, threatening fines for leaks.”
Ontario is currently home to the Ontario Reign of the East Coast Hockey League. The Reign and the Manchester Monarchs are both owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), along with the Kings. As reported, Manchester will be part of a simple swap, with the Reign replacing the Monarchs next season at the Verizon Wireless Arena. In essence, the Reign will become the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL, currently a league below the AHL.
The AHL’s Andrews on Monday gave the five AHL franchises affected by the vote — Manchester, Worcester (San Jose Sharks), Norfolk, Va. (Anaheim Ducks), Oklahoma City (Edmonton Oilers) and Glens Falls, N.Y. (Calgary Flames) — the opportunity to break the news to their local fans later this week. The AHL is scheduled to hold a press conference Thursday.
Andrews and the AHL’s board of governors met at Turning Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona, N.Y., on Sunday, but Andrews would not confirm that the board approved a West Coast division during his news conference on Monday.
“We’re still not across the line on a Pacific Division launch this year,” he said. “There are still unresolved issues.”
Andrews at first said he would not take questions on the possible moves, saying he was not at liberty to speak on them, then answered roundabout questions in roundabout ways. “I need the grace of some bit of time to cross the T’s and dot the I’s,” he said.
The creation of a new division would result in a new alignment of the AHL’s Western and Eastern conferences and six divisions. Andrews said that would have to be done by the league’s spring meeting May 11, and that in practical terms everything would have to be set by the first week in April.”
Then Andrews did talk about “strengthening” and “stabilizing” the AHL which suggested some markets are going to lose their AHL teams.
“We’re going through a process we’ve never been through before,” Andrews said. “It is difficult for some markets, but it is something we have to do. It will strengthen the league. It is not something fans in some markets will feel good about, but strengthening the league and stabilizing the league is important to the fan base overall.”
Some markets that lose AHL franchises, if not all of them, will have professional hockey next year, Andrews said, a reference to the ECHL.
- See more at: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150127/SPORTS0702/150129186/1003/sports#sthash.9hREyilj.dpuf
The Manchester Monarchs have scheduled a
news conference for Friday at 3 p.m. to announce their imminent departure from
New Hampshire. As first reported last week in the New Hampshire Union Leader, the Monarchs
will begin next season in Ontario, Calif., as one of five members of a new West
Coast division in the American Hockey League. Brian McKenna, commissioner of the ECHL,
will attend the news conference at Verizon Wireless Arena. He will be joined by
Luc Robitaille, president/business operations of the Los Angeles Kings; Matt
Welch, executive vice president of the Manchester Monarchs, and Darren Abbott,
president of the Monarchs. Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas will also be at the
press conference. On Monday in Utica, N.Y., site of Monday night’s AHL
All-Star Game, league president Dave Andrews wasn’t about to confirm
Manchester’s or any other team’s move. The Monarchs, along with four other AHL teams, are moving West to be closer to
their NHL affiliates for efficiencies and cost savings. Moving Manchester makes
sense to the Kings’ organization since Ontario is about 30 miles away from the
Staples Center. Now, if the Kings want to recall a player, it requires a
cross-country airline trip.
On Monday, the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported
that “a source close to the American Hockey League Board of Governors confirmed
Sunday that it voted to approve a West Coast Division ... The AHL swore team
officials to silence Sunday, threatening fines for leaks.”
Ontario is currently home to the Ontario Reign of the East
Coast Hockey League. The Reign and the Manchester Monarchs are both owned by
Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), along with the Kings. As reported,
Manchester will be part of a simple swap, with the Reign replacing the Monarchs
next season at the Verizon Wireless Arena. In essence, the Reign will become
the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL, currently a league below the AHL.
The AHL’s Andrews on Monday gave the five AHL franchises
affected by the vote — Manchester, Worcester (San Jose Sharks), Norfolk, Va.
(Anaheim Ducks), Oklahoma City (Edmonton Oilers) and Glens Falls, N.Y. (Calgary
Flames) — the opportunity to break the news to their local fans later this
week. The AHL is scheduled to hold a press conference Thursday.
Andrews and the AHL’s board of governors met at Turning
Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona, N.Y., on Sunday, but Andrews would not
confirm that the board approved a West Coast division during his news
conference on Monday. “We’re still not across the line on a Pacific Division
launch this year,” he said. “There are still unresolved issues.” Andrews at first said he would not take questions on the possible moves, saying
he was not at liberty to speak on them, then answered roundabout questions in
roundabout ways. “I need the grace of some bit of time to cross the T’s and dot
the I’s,” he said. The creation of a new division would result in a new
alignment of the AHL’s Western and Eastern conferences and six divisions.
Andrews said that would have to be done by the league’s spring meeting May 11,
and that in practical terms everything would have to be set by the first week
in April.” Then Andrews did talk about “strengthening” and
“stabilizing” the AHL which suggested some markets are going to lose their AHL
teams. “We’re going through a process we’ve never been through before,” Andrews said.
“It is difficult for some markets, but it is something we have to do. It will
strengthen the league. It is not something fans in some markets will feel good
about, but strengthening the league and stabilizing the league is important to
the fan base overall.”
Some markets that lose AHL franchises, if not all of them,
will have professional hockey next year, Andrews said, a reference to the ECHL.
On Monday in Utica, N.Y., site of Monday night’s AHL All-Star Game, league president Dave Andrews wasn’t about to confirm Manchester’s or any other team’s move.
The Monarchs, along with four other AHL teams, are moving West to be closer to their NHL affiliates for efficiencies and cost savings. Moving Manchester makes sense to the Kings’ organization since Ontario is about 30 miles away from the Staples Center. Now, if the Kings want to recall a player, it requires a cross-country airline trip.
On Monday, the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported that “a source close to the American Hockey League Board of Governors confirmed Sunday that it voted to approve a West Coast Division ... The AHL swore team officials to silence Sunday, threatening fines for leaks.”
Ontario is currently home to the Ontario Reign of the East Coast Hockey League. The Reign and the Manchester Monarchs are both owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), along with the Kings. As reported, Manchester will be part of a simple swap, with the Reign replacing the Monarchs next season at the Verizon Wireless Arena. In essence, the Reign will become the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL, currently a league below the AHL.
The AHL’s Andrews on Monday gave the five AHL franchises affected by the vote — Manchester, Worcester (San Jose Sharks), Norfolk, Va. (Anaheim Ducks), Oklahoma City (Edmonton Oilers) and Glens Falls, N.Y. (Calgary Flames) — the opportunity to break the news to their local fans later this week. The AHL is scheduled to hold a press conference Thursday.
Andrews and the AHL’s board of governors met at Turning Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona, N.Y., on Sunday, but Andrews would not confirm that the board approved a West Coast division during his news conference on Monday.
“We’re still not across the line on a Pacific Division launch this year,” he said. “There are still unresolved issues.”
Andrews at first said he would not take questions on the possible moves, saying he was not at liberty to speak on them, then answered roundabout questions in roundabout ways. “I need the grace of some bit of time to cross the T’s and dot the I’s,” he said.
The creation of a new division would result in a new alignment of the AHL’s Western and Eastern conferences and six divisions. Andrews said that would have to be done by the league’s spring meeting May 11, and that in practical terms everything would have to be set by the first week in April.”
Then Andrews did talk about “strengthening” and “stabilizing” the AHL which suggested some markets are going to lose their AHL teams.
“We’re going through a process we’ve never been through before,” Andrews said. “It is difficult for some markets, but it is something we have to do. It will strengthen the league. It is not something fans in some markets will feel good about, but strengthening the league and stabilizing the league is important to the fan base overall.”
Some markets that lose AHL franchises, if not all of them, will have professional hockey next year, Andrews said, a reference to the ECHL. - See more at: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150127/SPORTS0702/150129175#sthash.7FxS4Jns.dpuf
The
Manchester Monarchs scheduled a news conference for Friday at 3 p.m. to
announce their imminent departure from New Hampshire.
As first reported last week in the New Hampshire Union Leader, the Monarchs will begin next season in Ontario, Calif., as one of five members of a new West Coast division in the American Hockey League.
Brian McKenna, commissioner of the East Coast Hockey League, will attend the news conference at Verizon Wireless Arena. He will be joined by Luc Robitaille, president/business operations of the Los Angeles Kings; Matt Welch, executive vice president of the Manchester Monarchs, and Darren Abbott, president of the Monarchs. Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas will also be at the press conference.
On Monday in Utica, N.Y., site of Monday night’s AHL All-Star Game, league president Dave Andrews wasn’t about to confirm Manchester’s or any other team’s move.
The Monarchs, along with four other AHL teams, are moving West to be closer to their NHL affiliates for efficiencies and cost savings. Moving Manchester makes sense to the Kings’ organization since Ontario is about 30 miles away from the Staples Center. Now, if the Kings want to recall a player, it requires a cross-country airline trip.
On Monday, the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported that “a source close to the American Hockey League Board of Governors confirmed Sunday that it voted to approve a West Coast Division ... The AHL swore team officials to silence Sunday, threatening fines for leaks.”
Ontario is currently home to the Ontario Reign of the East Coast Hockey League. The Reign and the Manchester Monarchs are both owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), along with the Kings. As reported, Manchester will be part of a simple swap, with the Reign replacing the Monarchs next season at the Verizon Wireless Arena. In essence, the Reign will become the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL, currently a league below the AHL.
The AHL’s Andrews on Monday gave the five AHL franchises affected by the vote — Manchester, Worcester (San Jose Sharks), Norfolk, Va. (Anaheim Ducks), Oklahoma City (Edmonton Oilers) and Glens Falls, N.Y. (Calgary Flames) — the opportunity to break the news to their local fans later this week. The AHL is scheduled to hold a press conference Thursday.
Andrews and the AHL’s board of governors met at Turning Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona, N.Y., on Sunday, but Andrews would not confirm that the board approved a West Coast division during his news conference on Monday.
“We’re still not across the line on a Pacific Division launch this year,” he said. “There are still unresolved issues.”
Andrews at first said he would not take questions on the possible moves, saying he was not at liberty to speak on them, then answered roundabout questions in roundabout ways. “I need the grace of some bit of time to cross the T’s and dot the I’s,” he said.
The creation of a new division would result in a new alignment of the AHL’s Western and Eastern conferences and six divisions. Andrews said that would have to be done by the league’s spring meeting May 11, and that in practical terms everything would have to be set by the first week in April.”
Then Andrews did talk about “strengthening” and “stabilizing” the AHL which suggested some markets are going to lose their AHL teams.
“We’re going through a process we’ve never been through before,” Andrews said. “It is difficult for some markets, but it is something we have to do. It will strengthen the league. It is not something fans in some markets will feel good about, but strengthening the league and stabilizing the league is important to the fan base overall.”
Some markets that lose AHL franchises, if not all of them, will have professional hockey next year, Andrews said, a reference to the ECHL.
- See more at: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150127/SPORTS0702/150129175#sthash.7FxS4Jns.dpuf
DID YOU KNOW: The Calder Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the champions of the American Hockey League. It is the second oldest actively awarded professional ice hockey playoff trophy after the NHL's Stanley Cup. The Calder Cup was first presented in 1937 to the Syracuse Stars. The trophy is named after Frank Calder, who was the first president of the National Hockey League. The cup is made of sterling silver mounted on a base of Brazilian mahogany.
In its current shape, the trophy has a two-tiered square base with
commemorative plaques for each of the AHL's 20 most recent champions -
12 on the bottom tier and 8 on the top tier. Each time a new
championship plaque is added, the oldest plaque is retired and joins a
display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.As first reported last week in the New Hampshire Union Leader, the Monarchs will begin next season in Ontario, Calif., as one of five members of a new West Coast division in the American Hockey League.
Brian McKenna, commissioner of the East Coast Hockey League, will attend the news conference at Verizon Wireless Arena. He will be joined by Luc Robitaille, president/business operations of the Los Angeles Kings; Matt Welch, executive vice president of the Manchester Monarchs, and Darren Abbott, president of the Monarchs. Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas will also be at the press conference.
On Monday in Utica, N.Y., site of Monday night’s AHL All-Star Game, league president Dave Andrews wasn’t about to confirm Manchester’s or any other team’s move.
The Monarchs, along with four other AHL teams, are moving West to be closer to their NHL affiliates for efficiencies and cost savings. Moving Manchester makes sense to the Kings’ organization since Ontario is about 30 miles away from the Staples Center. Now, if the Kings want to recall a player, it requires a cross-country airline trip.
On Monday, the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported that “a source close to the American Hockey League Board of Governors confirmed Sunday that it voted to approve a West Coast Division ... The AHL swore team officials to silence Sunday, threatening fines for leaks.”
Ontario is currently home to the Ontario Reign of the East Coast Hockey League. The Reign and the Manchester Monarchs are both owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), along with the Kings. As reported, Manchester will be part of a simple swap, with the Reign replacing the Monarchs next season at the Verizon Wireless Arena. In essence, the Reign will become the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL, currently a league below the AHL.
The AHL’s Andrews on Monday gave the five AHL franchises affected by the vote — Manchester, Worcester (San Jose Sharks), Norfolk, Va. (Anaheim Ducks), Oklahoma City (Edmonton Oilers) and Glens Falls, N.Y. (Calgary Flames) — the opportunity to break the news to their local fans later this week. The AHL is scheduled to hold a press conference Thursday.
Andrews and the AHL’s board of governors met at Turning Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona, N.Y., on Sunday, but Andrews would not confirm that the board approved a West Coast division during his news conference on Monday.
“We’re still not across the line on a Pacific Division launch this year,” he said. “There are still unresolved issues.”
Andrews at first said he would not take questions on the possible moves, saying he was not at liberty to speak on them, then answered roundabout questions in roundabout ways. “I need the grace of some bit of time to cross the T’s and dot the I’s,” he said.
The creation of a new division would result in a new alignment of the AHL’s Western and Eastern conferences and six divisions. Andrews said that would have to be done by the league’s spring meeting May 11, and that in practical terms everything would have to be set by the first week in April.”
Then Andrews did talk about “strengthening” and “stabilizing” the AHL which suggested some markets are going to lose their AHL teams.
“We’re going through a process we’ve never been through before,” Andrews said. “It is difficult for some markets, but it is something we have to do. It will strengthen the league. It is not something fans in some markets will feel good about, but strengthening the league and stabilizing the league is important to the fan base overall.”
Some markets that lose AHL franchises, if not all of them, will have professional hockey next year, Andrews said, a reference to the ECHL.
- See more at: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150127/SPORTS0702/150129175#sthash.7FxS4Jns.dpuf
 |
| The AHL's Calder Cup |
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