[News] Flames buying ECHL Stockton Thunder to move AHL affiliate

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Stockton is consistently ranked as one of the most miserable cities in America, so calling it America's Edmonton seems pretty spot on.

When I google Stockton, a lot of the stories are dominated by their bankruptcy in 2012, foreclosures and crime. It sounds like there is a lot of community activism there though.

It sounds like a city that was really hit hard by the economic downturn.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The Oilers have owned the Bakersfield Condors for several years now. But likely in preparation for this move.

Personally, I would be quite happy to keep Adirondack as our ECHL affiliate.

I am pretty sure the Oilers just purchased the Condors half way through last season, I'm not even sure they have owned them for a full year yet.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by flameswin

How do you figure that would work with the Flames, Hitmen and Rouchnecks on top of concerts playing out of the Dome? It's not that you have to duck so much as you should back up your idea, because I don't see how it's plausible.

To be fair madison square gardens is used something like 360/365 days a year and it works...

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Stockton is consistently ranked as one of the most miserable cities in America, so calling it America's Edmonton seems pretty spot on.

No to mention the illegal guns, drugs, prostitution, Grim #######s, Mayans, Sons, Lin Triad and don't get me started on the Galindo Cartel.

[Travis Munroe]

Stockton is one hell of a area - Watched a Thunder game a couple years back when I was in San Fran. I believe they are the murder capital of the states.

I remember pulling into a real dark gas station which was sketchy as can be and asking for directions to the rink. If there is any positive, the arena is really nice. That's about it.
The Sanchez brothers (UFC) are from there and watching their documentary will show you what the town is all about!

[Pliddy]

Any chance we bought this just for the franchise and not for the location? There might be direct flights to SFO but there is a whole world separating Stockton from San Fran, even Oakland would be better( and Oakland is a hole)

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Pliddy

Any chance we bought this just for the franchise and not for the location?

No, that wouldn't really make sense since the Flames already own their AHL affiliate, they could put it anywhere. Buying the Thunder would basically be about buying the Thunder's lease on the arena.

[868904]

Sounds good, Flames prospects should be highly motivated to improve to get out of that hell hole as soon as possible.

[RM14]

Typed Stockton into Google News.. Wow

[Iceman90]

The Flames seem to be moving their AHL team a lot more than most teams do. We haven't been able to keep a long-term home since the team left St. John.

I wonder if perhaps the Flames organization is at fault? Maybe they're hard to work with so cities and ownership groups get tired of them quickly?

I don't know but we'll ponder it on Fireside Chat next week.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Iceman90

The Flames seem to be moving their AHL team a lot more than most teams do. We haven't been able to keep a long-term home since the team left St. John.

I wonder if perhaps the Flames organization is at fault? Maybe they're hard to work with so cities and ownership groups get tired of them quickly?

I don't know but we'll ponder it on Fireside Chat next week.

they wrote in annual out clauses and they were the first team to go west. it's pretty obvious they intended from the start to use Glens Falls as a stopgap until the AHL West came to fruition.

[Iceman90]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

they wrote in annual out clauses and they were the first team to go west. it's pretty obvious they intended from the start to use Glens Falls as a stopgap until the AHL West came to fruition.

I still wonder if AHL west is the best idea, or if a second league in the west is better? MLB has several 'AAA' leagues, the NHL could too.

[RM14]

The schedule is already weighted by conference pretty heavily.

[dissentowner]

Serves them right for killing Scorch, Hope that idiot in charge in Adirondack does not make the move too.

[Tyler]

Why would you ever be an AHL fan? What a joke.

[Jordan!]

GF is from Stockton, place is GHETTO AS HELL

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Stockton is consistently ranked as one of the most miserable cities in America, so calling it America's Edmonton seems pretty spot on.

It's far, far worse than Edmonton. Think Compton, but worse. I'm not kidding

[Jordan!]

Did Flames officials even visit the city??? Honestly, it's probably the worse place i've ever seen in my entire life.

Hearing gunshots at night in what to me looked like a decent neighborhood was fun

[_Q_]

This is such a stupid move.

I get that AHL teams generally don't play in top notch cities, but putting your affiliate in a place like Stockton? This will be terrible for team morale (if all the players make it to the end of the season alive).

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by flameswin

How do you figure that would work with the Flames, Hitmen and Rouchnecks on top of concerts playing out of the Dome? It's not that you have to duck so much as you should back up your idea, because I don't see how it's plausible.

Schedule wise for the Dome, no doubt it would max out the building, but as some else pointed out, MSG is busier, so it could work from that perspective.

I doubt there is enough population to create the demand needed though would be my guess to support another team in Calgary, especially in a town where hockey is covered well.