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

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by 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.

Maybe if they had a bigger population...but it's only about 20-25% the size of Edmonton

[c.t.ner]

I wonder if it'll be a team on the west coast. I know the rumour is Glen Falls, but there was also mention that the AHL was looking to add a Pacific Division soon. Abbottsford closing their doors pretty much destroys that idea.

[djsFlames]

Perhaps when we get a new arena/complex we'll be able to manage an AHL team as well as the Hitmen/Flames. If the Saddledome is to be kept around and in use, perhaps the Hitmen remain there. Having the farm team here would be most ideal, and it could only thrive being right here at home, as no place in new york, or the lower mainland is ever going to have enough people who actually give a #### about a team of Flames prospects.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

I wonder if it'll be a team on the west coast. I know the rumour is Glen Falls, but there was also mention that the AHL was looking to add a Pacific Division soon. Abbottsford closing their doors pretty much destroys that idea.

I've stopped following this saga, but is assumed that Abbotsford is only backing out of the deal because they have another tenant they'd like to make a deal with, and I also assumed that tenant would be the Canucks farm club. If that's the case, although the heat are done in Abby, doesn't mean the AHL is. But I honestly have 0 clue as to what I'm talking about.

[jeffman]

I gotta get my hands on one of those awesome Heat jerseys while I still can

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Perhaps when we get a new arena/complex we'll be able to manage an AHL team as well as the Hitmen/Flames. If the Saddledome is to be kept around and in use, perhaps the Hitmen remain there. Having the farm team here would be most ideal, and it could only thrive being right here at home, as no place in new york, or the lower mainland is ever going to have enough people who actually give a #### about a team of Flames prospects.

When the Flames become a contender again though, and it's really all about the big club again, I'd doubt there are enough people in this city who'd give a crap about the farm club to make it work, and the more affordable 2nd tier option would remain the Hitmen for the value crowd.

I don't think we are a big enough city to support both. The Heat are exciting now simply because of the Flames current life cycle point, but that won't always be the case.

[PeteMoss]

Even in Toronto... where the AHL team does ok attendance wise, the junior teams get no support. I think two teams is the limit for any market.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Start a crowdfunding campaign or something to move to the new home. CP will contribute

Sorry man, sucks for you and we all appreciate what you do.

[Sandman]

how about Lethbridge? lol

[Loyal and True]

I'm guessing Heat stay but under a new agreement without the guarantee (flames compensated for the change).

Why would they announce this before playoffs?
Why would Ken King attend the announcement?
Aren't Canucks locked in Utica for awhile?

Edit: not sure where I heard/read rumour that KK would be present, but I did hear/read that somewhere

[dino7c]

Airdrie, 10 minute commute for call ups to the dome

[Fischy13]

What's avg attendance for ahl? Would Red Deer's Centrium suffice? It holds 5500-6500 I think. Would compete with the Rebels however.

[saXon]

Calgary Heat sounds much better. Crack open the Corral again and get them in there until the Flames new arena is built.

A call up would be a 5 minute walk.

[PeteLFan]

I know this will not sit well, but how about Edmonton for our farm team? That city is dying for a professional hockey team.

[kipperiggy]

Originally Posted by 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.

Would be nice, but considering the Blades only get between 4-6K a night, don't see this happening. Population is way too small (and location of the arena is horrible, probably another part of the problem).

[RM14]

Move the heat to Calgary just for the playoffs this year?

[greentree]

[QUOTE=RM14;4723052]Move the heat to Calgary just for the playoffs this year?[/

Love it! Throw a few bucks at Abby and it's win/win.

[saskflames69]

Originally Posted by kipperiggy

Would be nice, but considering the Blades only get between 4-6K a night, don't see this happening. Population is way too small (and location of the arena is horrible, probably another part of the problem).

More like between 2-4k per night.

It's not that the city is too small for the AHL or that the arena is in an awful location, it's just that we as fans are fed up with watching the Blades lose time and time again. What a joke of an organization, Priestner should just move them to Fort Mac already.

Bring on the Heat, I say.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by saXon

Calgary Heat sounds much better. Crack open the Corral again and get them in there until the Flames new arena is built.

A call up would be a 5 minute walk.

The corral has never closed. It's still has ice most nights and is used for beer league hockey. I don't think you realize how bad it is these days.

It would require almost a full rebuild from scratch. The stands are warped and not level in a lot of places, the dressing rooms aren't even close to being suitable for professional hockey players in 2014.


It's just not even close to being a viable option.