Confirmed: Flames to relocate AHL affilate for 2022-23 season - Page 6 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

_Q_ · 05-17-2022, 09:29 AM

Can an AHL team in one of the towns around Calgary work? Airdrie? Chestermere? Canmore? Okotoks? Or maybe move the Hitmen to one of those markets?

Reggie Dunlop · 05-17-2022, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Q_

Can an AHL team in one of the towns around Calgary work? Airdrie? Chestermere? Canmore? Okotoks? Or maybe move the Hitmen to one of those markets?

No.

Iceman90 · 05-17-2022, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Q_

Can an AHL team in one of the towns around Calgary work? Airdrie? Chestermere? Canmore? Okotoks? Or maybe move the Hitmen to one of those markets?

It's the right idea, and I believe it could work, but as of 2022, none of those cities/towns have a building big enough and with proper facilities to support the WHL or AHL team.

Strange Brew · 05-17-2022, 09:54 AM

Dallas has their ECHL team in Boise. Wonder if that market could handle an AHL team instead? There is no natural connection to an existing NHL team the way a city like Colorado Springs would feel loyal to the Avs.

Roof-Daddy · 05-17-2022, 09:55 AM

Does Airdrie have an arena that could support the Hitmen?

Heat and Flames in CGY and the Hitmen in Airdrie could work IMO

I absolutely love the thought of having the Flames AHL team in the same city.

getbak · 05-17-2022, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Q_

Can an AHL team in one of the towns around Calgary work? Airdrie? Chestermere? Canmore? Okotoks? Or maybe move the Hitmen to one of those markets?

I don't think any of those communities has an arena that would be pro-calibre.

Winsport already has pro-level training and dressing room facilities and a reasonable capacity. I believe it's also broadcast-ready and has hosted events that have been covered by Sportsnet and TSN.

At this point, I think it's the only real viable alternative to the Saddledome.

Reggie Dunlop · 05-17-2022, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Does Airdrie have an arena that could support the Hitmen?

No.

BlindMilwaukee · 05-17-2022, 10:06 AM

I don't know the actual capacity in the Airdrie arenas but I grew up playing in them. Way too small.

FlamesAddiction · 05-17-2022, 10:08 AM

I wonder if it is just meant to be very temporary. Could be over thinking it if it is just meant to be for one season until another solution can be found.

corporatejay · 05-17-2022, 10:09 AM

I think people are over valuing the popularity of the AHL. Given the ticket pricing I don't think it's going to be a huge draw.

Pure speculation but of course the flames have been rumoured to be looking at Tsuu T'inna as a possible rink location. What better way to give credibility to that rumour than putting your AHL team on a first nation. The optics and community component are also great for PR.

Stanley · 05-17-2022, 10:11 AM

7 Chiefs

Iceman90 · 05-17-2022, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbak

I don't think any of those communities has an arena that would be pro-calibre.

Winsport already has pro-level training and dressing room facilities and a reasonable capacity. I believe it's also broadcast-ready and has hosted events that have been covered by Sportsnet and TSN.

At this point, I think it's the only real viable alternative to the Saddledome.

The arena you're mentioning at WinSport is Olympic sized ice.

Reggie Dunlop · 05-17-2022, 11:07 AM

The Winnipeg Ice play out of a 1700 seat facility, so I guess its possible the 7 Chiefs could house the Hitmen.

But the CSEC beancounters have been crunching the numbers for quite a while, so what do I know.

jayswin · 05-17-2022, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Yeah, it was always a matter of time with Stockton. I was surprised they went back there after the pandemic season.

The Hitmen typically draw around 7000. An AHL would likely cut into that substantially.

Maybe the Hitmen move to the Tsuut'ina Sportsplex? That's only 2000 seats though.

That would be absurd.

Roof-Daddy · 05-17-2022, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

No.

That's too bad, because Airdrie would be a solid spot for the Hitmen to land IMO.

troutman · 05-17-2022, 11:28 AM

Okotoks:

https://www.okotoks.ca/your-communit...tennial-arenas

Quote:

With bowl seating for 1500, and an additional 500 standing room spaces, the PCA Green has been host to many international, national, and provincial sporting events.

Iceman90 · 05-17-2022, 11:35 AM

If we're talking about putting the AHL or WHL team into 1,000 and change seat arenas in Okotoks, Airdrie, etc I'd rather see them in Max Bell.

Roof-Daddy · 05-17-2022, 11:37 AM

I like Airdrie with their 70,000 population for WHL. Still close enough to Calgary to draw from there still too, as well as Olds/Sundre etc...

Crazy that they don't have a better arena. Should probably build one lol

getbak · 05-17-2022, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman90

The arena you're mentioning at WinSport is Olympic sized ice.

I'm pretty sure it can be configured to NHL-size (which is actually Olympic-size from now on anyway).

With the IIHF moving to NHL ice for the Olympics, you have think that the big ice is going to be going the way of the dinosaur soon anyway.

getbak · 05-17-2022, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

The Winnipeg Ice play out of a 1700 seat facility, so I guess its possible the 7 Chiefs could house the Hitmen.

That's not a long-term solution for Winnipeg though. That's like saying the Coyotes will be playing in a 5,000 seat arena next year, so the Flames can move to Winsport.

In my mind, Major Junior is a bigger draw in Western Canada than Minor Pro, so it would be foolish to put the Hitmen in a smaller rink, but I guess we'll see what happens.