[News] City of Abbotsford terminating contract with the Heat. Heat are moving.

[sureLoss]

Discussion going on the prospects forum, but worthy enough to be brought out here:

http://globalnews.ca/news/1271141/ci...t-hockey-team/

Global News has learned major changes are on the way for the Abbotsford Heat hockey team and its contentious relationship with taxpayers.

Sources tell us the City of Abbotsford has terminated their contract with the Abbotsford Heat, but whether that means there will be a new contract or the team will be moving remains to be seen.

The city has called a press conference for Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.

There are rumours the Calgary Flames farm team will be moving to Glen Falls, New York Civic Centre, but that has yet to be confirmed.

[Table 5]

Not super crazy about the farm team being on the other side of the continent. I have a feeling it's going to be pretty busy in terms of call ups and downs for the next few years.

At least Conroy will be closer to home.

[OffsideSpecialist]

So I guess the Heat will be replacing the Phantoms after all.
There's an advantage I think in terms of being much closer to the majority of AHL cities.
Disadvantage in being rather far flung from Calgary.

[GoFlamesGo1989]

Why can't we just put the farm team in calgary?

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Not super crazy about the farm team being on the other side of the continent. I have a feeling it's going to be pretty busy in terms of call ups and downs for the next few years.

At least Conroy will be closer to home.

The extra practice time and less time on the bus/plane beats the potential of having to play a guy short once every 3 years.

[neo45]

Gotta get the farm team closer to home than NY

[OffsideSpecialist]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo1989

Why can't we just put the farm team in calgary?

I can't see the Flames, Hitmen, Roughnecks and an AHL team all sharing the same arena being a viable option. Not sure if there are other arenas that could be used. Supporting three teams could be tricky; that concept failed in Toronto.

At the end of the day, I actually see having a team close to the majority of AHL cities being a net benefit over having longer travel when a player gets called up. Although a little closer to Calgary would be nice.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Table 5

At least Conroy will be closer to home.

Conroy is still based in Calgary though, just means his chartered flights will be longer.

[CMPunk]

Albany International Airport is 40 miles away and fly's to most major American cities

[SuperMatt18]

The saved travel time means more time for practice and development, less fatigue, etc.

I don't recall a time this season (outside of deadline day) when the short flight actually mattered to get a guy here on time.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

So what do we get out of this? I was under the impression it was a sweetheart deal and not in the flames interest to even consider walking away from it

[kermitology]

Probably a buyout.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

So what do we get out of this? I was under the impression it was a sweetheart deal and not in the flames interest to even consider walking away from it

Sounds like the city is terminating the contract, not the team.

[sureLoss]

double post

[Southside]

I gathered Abbotsford is the party walking away and the Flames will be compensated quite nicely for that. No?

[Joborule]

I wonder if the Flames ownership have considered putting an AHL team in Saskatchewan or even Salt Lake City as I seen suggested here before? Still close to home, but a bit closer to all the other teams in the league.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

So what do we get out of this? I was under the impression it was a sweetheart deal and not in the flames interest to even consider walking away from it

We as in the fans will get nothing, the city will probably pay the Flames a lump sum of cash to get out of the contract.

But note the article still keeps the option that a new contract may be signed.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

We as in the fans will get nothing, the city will probably pay the Flames a lump sum of cash to get out of the contract.

Yeah I had a bad feeling I wouldn't be compensated financially

[OzSome]

Saskatoon!! Flames play some pre-season games over there. I don't think Saskatoon Blades(WHL) will let that happen though. Someone should tell Saskatoon people that having a WHL team and minor league (AHL) works fine in Edmonton for the last few seasons. So i think it will work.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Conroy is still based in Calgary though, just means his chartered flights will be longer.

Home as in his place of birth (where I assume his relatives live). He can go home to moms house for lunch.