The Flames are Out in QC - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

SparkyOne · 03-12-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

Photo probably needs a bit of an update with a third Texas team in the mix (Austin's the new home of the Stars)

But yeah, that map really puts everything into prospective. I think Abbostsford is not going to be a very stable franchise for the next two-three years. I think it would take a shift of one or two more teams to the west coast to make it remotely viable.

That being said, I feel bad for all the QC fans out there. I've enjoy the discussion on here and the insight provided after every game. You guys put a lot of heart into everything you posted and it showed in the insight.

Well done guys. As a fan, I completely feel for you guys.

I'm not sure that Calgary wanting the team in Abbotsford is enough.

From what I've heard (from a couple of very reliable sources), the divisional AHL organizations definitely don't want their guys spending 12 hours to fly to a game....and no one on the east coast is going to want to touch it, with or without a travel subsidy. Schedule wise, they already have to play two games when they go to Winnipeg. Now they'd have to do that for Abbotsford as well. That ties of four of eight teams for 4 or 5 days at a time, since it takes at least a day to travel each way.

It works for the ECHL because there are teams already in the west and Alaska Air offers more direct flights. That's not the case here. There's nothing direct from anywhere, except maybe Chicago.

SparkyOne · 03-12-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drunk Skunk

Sounds like it might just be a Wild year next year.

Wild Mallards, perhaps!!

TheDragon · 03-12-2009, 03:04 PM

That's a real bummer. I was kind of hoping that a last minute deal would pop out of the woodwork and keep the Flames in QC.

With the downturn in the economy, (manufacturing the Mid-West particularily,) and the problems they were already facing financially, perhaps it was a bit preemptive so that they didn't really hit the wall next season.

Real sorry to hear this for you QC faithful, though.

JiriHrdina · 03-12-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Therefore I think it's better to stay away from the Moose until such a time at the paradigm shifts. Might be fun to do a road trip to Abbotsford to see the farm team. Sure it would be a long one, but fun would be had.

If I took the time to drive up to the arm-pit known as Camrose I can certainly go to Abbotsford. I mean it can't get any worse can it?

Yeah_Baby · 03-12-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

If I took the time to drive up to the arm-pit known as Camrose I can certainly go to Abbotsford. I mean it can't get any worse can it?

I'm not sure if the BPs Lounge in Abbotsford would as entertaining though

Canada 02 · 03-12-2009, 03:19 PM

Yeah_Baby · 03-12-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Sounds like they will have their own theme and colour scheme.

Machiavelli · 03-12-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

But isn't Manitoba one of those AHL teams that focuses more on winning the Calder Cup as opposed to a true developmental pipeline?

Well, yes, but I meant switching locations. The Moose, players on the team intact, would go to Abbotsford.

Canada 02 · 03-12-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Sounds like they will have their own theme and colour scheme.

yeah, would be wise marketing to not use the Flames name and colours in Canucklehead territory

Yeah_Baby · 03-12-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Well, yes, but I meant switching locations. The Moose, players on the team intact, would go to Abbotsford.

Ahh, I 'mis-remembered' what your said.

IgiTang · 03-12-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

yeah, would be wise marketing to not use the Flames name and colours in Canucklehead territory

Ya, one person who replied to TSN's report brought up that very point and it does make me wonder... How do the Flames expect to get a better fan base and make more money in loserland? I dont see how this will be better than QC.

Can you honestly say you would go to a Cancuks AHL Affiliate game if they were here in Calgary? HELL NO!!! I wouldnt anyway.

Yeah_Baby · 03-12-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IgiTang

Ya, one person who replied to TSN's report brought up that very point and it does make me wonder... How do the Flames expect to get a better fan base and make more money in loserland? I dont see how this will be better than QC.

Can you honestly say you would go to a Cancuks AHL Affiliate game if they were here in Calgary? HELL NO!!! I wouldnt anyway.

Yeah, but I think if you stuck the Moose in Lethbridge it might be different. Also I think even if the franchise bleeds money, at least it will be in CAD not USD.

IgiTang · 03-12-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Yeah, but I think if you stuck the Moose in Lethbridge it might be different. Also I think even if the franchise bleeds money, at least it will be in CAD not USD.

Im not certain of the geography but isnt Abbotsford a suburb of Van.City? part of the VGA? Thats a little different than a 1.5 hr. drive to lethbridge..

Edit:Checked it out on google maps, educated myself

Abbotsford is about 30 minutes out. Lethbridge is 4X's the distance. So its not really the same thing.
The point is still the same, success in a town within such proximity, I dont see the Flames having such a decent fanbase as QC.

And what? No more baby Flames with new color schemes and such?

Hoody · 03-12-2009, 03:34 PM

http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=429511

Here is another QC article from QC Online.

Hoody

Yeah_Baby · 03-12-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IgiTang

Im not certain of the geography but isnt Abbotsford a suburb of Van.City? part of the VGA? Thats a little different than a 1.5 hr. drive to lethbridge..

Might depends who you talk too. But its 'adjacent' to the the VGA.

I chucked at this on the wiki page.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wikipedia

Notable Residents

GirlySports · 03-12-2009, 05:51 PM

Sad.

What is it with the Flames that they seem to change AHL affiliates every year or so. I think it's time to take Troutman's idea and play at the Corral. Return of the Wranglers?

Jetsfan · 03-12-2009, 08:35 PM

On the Fan 960 during the second intermission of the Flames/Wings game Ken King repeated what was said earlier in the day. However, he did make a good point concerning the Flames farm team in Canucks territory. Almost all the eastern AHL teams are in the territories of NHL teams like New York, Boston, Philadelphia et al. Atlanta's farm team is the Chicago Wolves and they seem be to sucessfull. I do agree that the team should not be called the Flames.

PIMking · 03-12-2009, 08:49 PM

well some of those teams you speak of are not in die hard rivals like nucks.

This sucks big time I'm embarrassed and feel shameful because I will have seen some were around 100 Flames games and its just sad to see them go. I will keep following the boys next year or where ever they go. I wish them the best of luck and GO FLAMES GO!!! The cup is coming back to Calgary!!!!

QCHockeyFan · 03-12-2009, 09:06 PM

My understanding is that Chicago has benefited from an influx of Blackhawks fans in recent years because of Bill Wirtz. It'll be interesting to see how they hold up now that the Blackhawks are selling out every night, but Chitown should have more than enough people to support an NHL and AHL team. For crying out loud, they've got Red Wings fans there. Go figure!

Resolute 14 · 03-12-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tilley

As someone who was a season ticket holder in Lethbridge and then moved to Omaha and had the Knights arrive and leave, I simply do not understand this statement.

I guess it depends on the person. I tend to lean in sympathy towards what 604 says. I would not trade the Hitmen for the Baby Flames. Though, to be fair, I've seen only two AHL games in person, and both were the Edmonton Road Runners vs. Toronto's farm club (St. Johns at the time). So really, I don't exactly have an objective place to view the A from.