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

[sureLoss]

Adirondack Flames days are numbered

http://www.recordnet.com/article/201...NEWS/150109721

The next step in the impending sale of the Stockton Thunder to the Calgary Flames of the NHL is awaiting the approval of city officials.

City staff documents were released Thursday recommending City Council consent to the transfer the team lease at Stockton Arena to Adirondack Flames Canada, an affiliate of the Flames. If the motion is approved and the sale is completed, it could clear the way for the Thunder, which has been an ECHL franchise for 10 seasons, to move up a level to the American Hockey League.

The original 10-year lease runs through this season and current owner Brad Rowbotham picked up the first of two five-year options held by the franchise when he put the team up for sale four months ago.

Mayor Anthony Silva said he hopes the proposal will be approved.
“All I can say is that I anticipate a smooth ride,” Silva said. “I think it’s a win-win for the city of Stockton.”

Rowbotham said he also is confident the City Council will approve the lease transfer and admits he’ll miss owning the team.

“So far, everything is going smoothly. We’re waiting for various approvals from the city and the league, but we don’t foresee any major issues," he said. “As the possibility gets more real, it’s definitely mixed emotions. I’ll miss it. But it’s important that we found a potential buyer who could make it even better than what it’s ever been.”

The Flames would be the third owner of the franchise since it moved to Stockton in 2005. Michael Reinsdorf purchased the team that year when it was called the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies and moved it to Stockton. Rowbotham is the general manager of Roll’n Oilfield Industries Ltd. in Red Deer, Alberta.

There has been speculation that Stockton and other West Coast ECHL teams would not stay in the league for long. Most western NHL franchises have expressed a desire to move their top minor league teams into the region to cut down on travel and other expenses. Recent moves suggest such a change could happen as soon as next season.

[Muta]

I hope they call them the Stockton Flames and somehow keep the Atlanta Flames logo somewhere. It's still the best logo the Flames' minor teams have ever had.

[mikephoen]

Any links to explain why things haven't worked out in Addy? Is this all part of Scorch's legecy?

[Locke]

Yeah, this is our first year in Adirondack and we're already moving the affiliate to Stockton? WTF?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Any links to explain why things haven't worked out in Addy? Is this all part of Scorch's legecy?

Nothing wrong with Addy so far per se. Flames have always wanted an affiliate closer to Calgary.

With 4 teams now forming an AHL division in California, the travel issues won't be that big of a deal as they were in Abbotsford.

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Any links to explain why things haven't worked out in Addy? Is this all part of Scorch's legecy?

It's a matter of West Coast NHL teams wanting AHL affiliates closer to where the parent club plays.

[Ozy_Flame]

There was on out clause IIRC.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Any links to explain why things haven't worked out in Addy? Is this all part of Scorch's legecy?

Just part of larger restructuring to move affiliated AHL farm teams closer to Western Conference NHL cities.

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by Locke

Yeah, this is our first year in Adirondack and we're already moving the affiliate to Stockton? WTF?

I think Adirondack knew what they were getting into. I read the contract that the Calgary Flames signed with Adirondack. It was a year to year sort of deal. If they give notice by May 1st (I believe), they can pull out operations for the next season. It was structured much differently then Abbotsford and lent itself to assuming the deal was short term.

So if the Calgary Flames give notice by May 1st to Adirondack, they can move to Stockton for September 2015.

[Samuelsson]

Just bring it to Calgary already

*ducks*

[Ozy_Flame]

We really need too add Ryan Malone now. Nothing but good karma.

[MrMastodonFarm]

I hope the Flames players start flipping opponents off, telling them "don't be scared, homie" as is Stockton tradition.

[Erick Estrada]

Flames of Anarchy.

[sureLoss]

The city of Glens Falls got what they wanted out of the arrangement with the Flames. They managed to sell their arena to a private group who is investing money to renovate. Without the Flames putting an AHL team there, they were set to board up the arena.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Samuelsson

Just bring it to Calgary already

*ducks*

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.

[Samuelsson]

It was supposed to represent sarcasm. My sincerest apologies.

[FBI]

Sucky for adirondack fans getting attached to our guys.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by FBI

Sucky for adirondack fans getting attached to our guys.

Sucky for the guys on the team too. Stockton is California's Edmonton.

[FlamesAddiction]

From Glens Falls to the ghetto. At least there should be regular direct flights to Calgary from the Bay area airport (wherever it is).

Lovely post card:

Spoiler!

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

From Glens Falls to the ghetto. At least there should be regular direct flights to Calgary from the Bay area airport (wherever it is).

Lovely post card:

Spoiler!

90 minute drive to San Francisco International, 80 minutes to Mineta San Jose International Airport, 60 minutes to Oakland International. Looks like there are direct flights to San Francisco from Calgary.