2005-06 Franchise moves/foldings/expansions
Here's the teams that moved, folded, expanded, etc, in the offseason. Click links for team pages or more info where available.
AHL
St. John's Maple Leafs - moving to Toronto Marlies
St. John Flames - dormant last 2 years, moving to Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights
Worcester IceCats - moving to Peoria Rivermen Iowa Stars - formerly the Louisville Panthers franchise
Cincinnati Mighty Ducks - suspended ops for 1 year
Utah Grizzlies - suspended ops for 1 year and jumped to the ECHL
Edmonton Roadrunners - suspended operations
ECHL
AC Boardwalk Bullies - moving to Stockton (CA) Thunder Gulf Coast Swords - will be dormant in 05-06 with plans to debut in 06-07
Louisiana IceGators - terminated by league
Pee Dee Pride - moving to Myrtle Beach and will be dormant for 1 year Peoria Rivermen - jumping to AHL, franchise in limbo Phoenix Roadrunners - expansion Utah Grizzlies - demoted (?) from the AHL
CHL
New Mexico Scorpions - suspended ops for 1 year
San Angelo Saints - folded
Topeka Tarantulas - folded Youngstown (OH) Steelhounds - expansion
Not sure if this is the right place for this but here goes....
Obviously with Cincy of the AHL taking a 1 yr hiatus...the Anaheim Might Ducks are in the process of looking for an AHL team of their own or one to share.
The Colorado Avalance and the Hershey Bears have parted way as well. Hershey quickly signed with the Washington CRAPitals, as its only a 2 hour drive, a lot closer than Colorado. I can't wait to see Daubenspeck in chocolate and white next year, that is just GROSS, as most likey the Capitals organization will look like this:
ECHL - Charleston
AHL - Hershey Bears
NHL - Crapitals
( EDITORIAL - I am glad to see Colorado gone as all the propects they had 8 years ago are all grown up, and they traded the rest. Yes Colorado was great to have and great talent was in Hershey, but looking forward the Caps have one of the best minor league systems as far as players. Could be a bright future for the Bears and the Caps)
With Calgary getting their own team in Omaha, NE, the Avalance have replaced the Flames and will split Lowell with the Hurricanes. Lowell will have a dual affiliation.
rumor - The Avs are looking into moving the Colorado Eagles of the CHL to the AHL in a year or two, as this would put their propects closer to home. The Avs play in Denver while the Eagles play in Loveland which is less than an hour away. They currently have a wait list for season tickets, and the arena seats 5289 for hockey games. Could pan out to be an interesting situation as the AHL has grown from a NorthEast league to a nation wide league, much as the ECHL has.
Edited by: CarolinaKidders at: 5/19/05 10:24 pm
Re: 2005-06 Franchise moves/foldings/expansions
The Ducks are reportedly moving their affiliation to Portland. Right now, Phoenix is the only other team without an AHL team, as Utah folded.
I think I heard the Colorado Eagles sold out every game this year. They're popular out there, and the Cup they just won helps that too.
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If this is paradise
I wish I had a lawn mower
-The Talking Heads
Re: 2005-06 Franchise moves/foldings/expansions
Yes The Colorado Eagles did sell out Every Game this year. Their arena holds 5294. Thier first season they had 4000 season ticket holders. This year they won the Miron Cup (CHL Championship)
Re: 2005-06 Franchise moves/foldings/expansions
Ammo, you got any gamers? Post them up in the Collector's section if you like...and wear them next year. I always like checking out different jerseys.
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"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."
-Willie Wonka
Re: 2005-06 Franchise moves/foldings/expansions
I'm reading on some other boards that San Antonio Rampage (AHL affiliate of the Panthers) is suspending operations for the upcoming season. I have seen a link to sportnet.ca -- but I cannot find the story that was posted.
Re: 2005-06 Franchise moves/foldings/expansions
asheville aces (sphl) request to cease operations because they couldnt reach an agreement with the asheville civic center for this year.
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