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You are here: Home / HockeyBlog / UPDATE: Where Things Stand as NHL Teams Prep for AHL West

UPDATE: Where Things Stand as NHL Teams Prep for AHL West

December 11, 2014 By John Hoven

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Everything is fluid, let’s remember that key point.

As mentioned last season, the majority of teams in the NHL’s Pacific Division have spent the past few years exploring the idea of moving their top minor league affiliates closer to their home bases of operation. There are both on and off-ice factors that make the idea highly attractive to several cubs. For example, in Los Angeles, coach Darryl Sutter is one of the many who has lamented the full day of travel lost when needing to call players up from Manchester, N.H., clear on the other side of the country. Additionally, their ECHL team located about an hour east of Staples Center has routinely been near the top of attendance across all minor league hockey franchises.

After years of planning, what’s the hold up, you ask? Well, trying to get a handful of NHL clubs all moving in the same direction is a little like herding cats.

On the positive front, recent developments – including several former Central Hockey League teams being added to the ECHL – are getting everybody involved closer to the ultimate goal.

At the very least, the NHL would like member clubs to own and operate their individual AHL affiliates, where top prospects are developed with direct oversight from parent teams. Specially, the plan to create the much-talked about AHL Pacific Division was discussed at the NHL’s Board of Governors meeting last week in Boca Raton, Fla. Further, AHL executives were there to work with the various NHL clubs on transitional issues and concerns.

We have been able to gather several updates since our original article regarding the plans last April. If you missed that story, we highly encourage you to click here and read it first. That lays the groundwork for the larger plan and will serve as a good foundation – including a full list of teams believed to be participating – before you read the updates below.

After speaking with multiple sources close to the situation this week, here is what we have been able to ascertain:

– There is a tentative plan (or at the very least, there has been lengthy discussion) to essentially swap the Ontario Reign (ECHL) and Manchester Monarchs (AHL). At the time of our first article, it was clear where the Kings’ AHL affiliate would be playing under the new structure – in Ontario, Calif. However, what wasn’t clear back then was what would likely become of the ECHL team currently housed there. A relocation to Manchester now appears to be a viable option. Naturally, the ECHL would need to approve of any such change.

– There is a major milestone coming up centering on the entire “AHL comes West” plan. On Dec. 22, the ECHL must be notified of plans for the 2015-16 season… and then, approximately 30 days later, the ECHL would vote on that information at their next league meeting (scheduled to take place around Jan. 21, in conjunction with the ECHL All-Star Game in Orlando, Fla.). Also, the AHL will host their own management meeting on Jan. 26 in New York.

– Once the Kings’ place their AHL team in Ontario, the working idea appears to be to keep the Reign name. In part, it is believed this is the best way to maintain continuity in the market and sustain any presence that has been achieved in the region since the team’s debut in 2008. Given that the current team uses blue and orange as their primary colors, expect a re-branding to be more consistent with the Kings overall look (similar to what took place with the Monarchs jerseys a few months back).

– There is a currently a ticket pricing analysis underway to determine what (if any) changes would be made to the current season ticket and game day prices for AHL games in Ontario. One of our sources indicated there is a strong possibility the pricing wouldn’t change much, and that a $10 entry price point was still preferred by many.

– The Kings are ready to move forward and are largely waiting for the other teams to give the go/no-go decision on a Sept/Oct 2015 start date.

– As expected, Anaheim would like to put their team in San Diego. However, there are “building-related issues” with the former San Diego Sports Arena, now the Valley View Casino Center. Those issues (which, allegedly, include the refrigeration system) are not said to necessarily be deal-breakers, but would need to be resolved and fairly quickly.

– Anaheim also still needs to purchase an AHL team. Ditto for Phoenix and a few others.

– For more on Anaheim, see this job posting.

– San Jose has not locked in on an arena or city yet. Although there were reports Stockton was on the front burner at one point, they have also explored the idea of putting their AHL team into several different communities. From what we’ve been told, Sacramento has now been ruled out. They also looked into the Oracle Arena in Oakland, and even the Cow Palace in San Francisco. This is only my opinion, but after the problems experienced by the ECHL’s San Francisco Bulls there – and yes, we’re talking ECHL vs. AHL – I would not think that is a viable building or a market that should be considered a strong candidate for minor league hockey. Major league cities usually expect major league sports. [UPDATE: San Jose has come up with a unique plan for their AHL team moving to California]

– Utah remains a question mark. There is obviously a minor league hockey history in the Salt Lake City market and it would appear a reasonable option. Yet, from the people we spoke with, they weren’t aware of any NHL team stepping up and working in that direction in any serious sort of way – yet.

– Edmonton, which most people believed was locked in on Bakersfield (mirroring the Kings plans of relocating their AHL team to the building that currently houses their ECHL team), has actually discussed a hybrid approach. Under this idea, they would continue to use Oklahoma City as their AHL team, even perhaps playing in the new AHL Pacific Division. Then, one year later, after any kinks were worked out, they would most likely move their AHL affiliate to Bakersfield. To be clear, this was an idea on the table, and it remains unclear if this is still the working plan for the Oilers. It should also be noted there are holes in the idea, as if the ECHL is essentially moved out of the Western U.S., a team in Bakersfield (even for one year) would sort of be on an island to themselves. [UPDATE: Shortly after this article posted, Edmonton announced they were leaving Oklahoma City.]

– When the AHL West finally gets off the ground, Colorado is believed to be interested in putting their AHL affiliate in Colorado Springs. Whether that happens during the inaugural year of this plan or a few years later remains to be seen.

– Calgary was highly interested in putting their AHL team in Las Vegas. However, with the NHL currently exploring putting an expansion team in Sin City, that has all but killed those plans. Calgary’s plans are now said to be TBD, yet they are expected to be one of the initial teams involved in the AHL West rollout. [UPDATE 1/9/2015: Per this report, Calgary is nearing completion of purchasing the Stockton franchise and it is expected to be their new AHL home. It appears the next step in the process is transferring the lease at Stockton Arena to the Flames’ AHL affiliate.]

– Phoenix was interested in putting their team in Tucson (or somewhere close by). However, as one source said to us, that entire market is oversaturated with sports teams, and would be highly skeptical of it working.

Again, the overall idea of launching the AHL West is fluid, with many moving parts. Yet, it is closer now than it ever has been before. Plus, as we have been lead to believe, it is more a matter of “when,” not if this plan is put into motion. As of now, the original launch date of October 2015 that we published back in April still appears to be the target.

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Filed Under: HockeyBlog, Kings, NHL, Spotlight Story Tagged With: AHL, Anaheim, Calgary, Ducks, ECHL, Edmonton, Flames, hockey, Kings, Los Angeles, Manchester, Mayor, MayorsManor, Monarchs, NHL, Oilers, Ontario, San Jose, Sharks

About John Hoven

John Hoven is a member of the of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and co-hosts Kings of the Podcast. He is also the founder and editor of MayorsManor.com, which has been named Best Sports Blog in Los Angeles by LA Weekly and Hockey Blog of the Year by Yahoo Sports. Click "ABOUT OUR TEAM" above for a full bio.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. John Barr says

    December 12, 2014 at 7:41 am

    Any idea where Vancouver would put their team? I know the league nixed Seattle a couple years ago but that was because the Coyotes contingency plan so maybe it wouldn’t get blocked. Portland could be another option but they already have a pretty packed schedule at MODO because of the Trailblazers and Winterhawks.

    • John Hoven says

      December 12, 2014 at 8:09 am

      We covered the Vancouver situation in the original article linked here: http://mayorsmanor.com/2014/04/major-news-kings-preparing-to-move-top-prospects-to-socal/

      note: we also covered many similiar issues in the comments section of that article

  2. Jeff Robinson says

    December 12, 2014 at 12:43 pm

    I believe Lake Erie & Colorado just extended their agreement two years. Same with Springfield & Columbus. Maybe they’re buying time too…

    • Paul says

      December 12, 2014 at 10:11 pm

      Jeff, where did you hear that Lake Erie and Colorado extended? I hadn’t seen any releases about it.

  3. Jared says

    December 12, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    Sad that Stockton and Ontario (and Bakersfield?!) can support teams but no one seems to think Sacramento, which is wealthier, can. Great town.

    • John Hoven says

      December 12, 2014 at 7:32 pm

      Sacramento may be more building related. Not 100% sure though.

      • Don says

        December 15, 2014 at 11:28 am

        Sacramento could totally support an AHL team, especially a Sharks owned operation. With the new Downtown Arena being built, and the current Sleeptrain Arena that can house hockey until the new building is built, the building excuse doesn’t make sense. Maybe a powerplay by Stockton to get the team? Sacramento would be the perfect location as the Sacramento AAA baseball team leads the minors in attendance every year. This is a SJ Sharks town (I live in Sacramento) and Sacramento would totally support it with 8-10,000 a night.

        • John Hoven says

          December 15, 2014 at 11:35 am

          Simply reporting what we were told by a source connected to the overall plans for bringing the AHL to the West Coast… “the Sharks ruled out Sacramento as a viable option.”

          • Don says

            December 15, 2014 at 11:50 am

            I wasn’t arguing with you, per se, just doesn’t make sense to me. As always, I appreciate all your reports. The Sharks just looking another direction and using that as an excuse.

          • John Hoven says

            December 15, 2014 at 3:54 pm

            No worries, didn’t take it that way. Cheers.

  4. Dingwell says

    December 18, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    This could be moving faster with the Oilers walking away from OKC today

    • ECHL Mafia says

      December 18, 2014 at 9:40 pm

      Ding, ya beat me to the punch. Is this the first official domino to fall into place?
      On a related note, my ticket rep in Ontario said things are NOT as clear as 3 months ago. He gave 90% odds of AHL back then. Now, he said 50/ 50 for 2015/ 16 AHL.
      Fingers crossed.

      • ECHL Mafia says

        December 18, 2014 at 9:48 pm

        Also wondering if there is delay to possibly accommodate new Vegas team if NHL deal doesn’t gain momentum. Just spit ballin here.

        • John Hoven says

          December 22, 2014 at 8:49 am

          We have been lead to believe Las Vegas is out of the AHL West plans for now.

  5. chris says

    December 21, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    What about the alaska aces in the echl. If there talking about moving most of the echl western teams into an AHL team might as well add ALaska into the equation.

    • John Hoven says

      December 22, 2014 at 10:41 am

      Have actually heard zero news on Alaska.

Trackbacks

  1. Cup dreams in Vegas; Drouin not going to WJCs; Ekblad surpassing expectations (Puck Headlines) | Sports says:
    December 13, 2014 at 11:04 pm

    […] • Here’s an update on the whole AHL moves west situation that’s certainly going to be happening. [Mayor’s Manor] […]

  2. UHN │Lunchtime Links – December 15th, 2014 | Ultimate Hockey Network says:
    December 15, 2014 at 8:01 am

    […] An update on plans to move several AHL franchises closer to their Pacific Conference-residing NHL clubs. [Mayor’s Manor] […]

  3. Mayor’s Minutes on NHL Radio – LAK issues, contracts, line combos says:
    December 18, 2014 at 11:21 am

    […] vs. the Blues, what’s wrong with the line combos, contract talks with Justin Williams, the AHL moving to the West Coast, Drew Doughty, top prospect Nick Shore, Mike Richards, the Stadium Series jerseys, and even a […]

  4. SOURCE: San Jose Has Interesting Plan for AHL West Move says:
    December 19, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    […] RELATED CONTENT: UPDATE: Where Things Stand as NHL Teams Prep for AHL West […]

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