I hope that a deal eventually gets worked out with the Canucks. Our prospects deserve better than to play in an empty building that cheers for the Canucks prospects whenever they hit town and Abbotsford is really a terrible location for a farm team as far as travelling goes.
I hope that a deal eventually gets worked out with the Canucks. Our prospects deserve better than to play in an empty building that cheers for the Canucks prospects whenever they hit town and Abbotsford is really a terrible location for a farm team as far as travelling goes.
Although being in Utica, the Canucks prospects probably won't even hit town anymore.
The Utica Comets will begin play in the AHL in 2013-14 as the Canucks’ top development affiliate. The Comets will play their home games at the Utica Memorial Auditorium under the management of Mohawk Valley Garden, led by former AHL, NHL and U.S. Olympic goaltender Robert Esche and long-time AHL owner Frank DuRoss.
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Turn up the good, turn down the suck!
Laurance Gilman, the Canucks’ vice president for hockey operations, was asked if Utica might be a stop-gap site for the Canucks, who according to reports in Vancouver media are deeply interested in Abbotsford, British Columbia, the current home of the Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliate.
MVG’s contract with the Canucks is for six years.
Esche acknowledged there is an escape clause but suggested it is heavily weighted in MVG’s favor and something the Canucks would be very reluctant to exercise.
“We signed a multi-year agreement,” said Gilman, who signed Esche to his first NHL contract with the Phoenix Coyotes. “We are deeply committed to be here, and we will ice as great a team as possible.”
Gilman said there is no clause in the deal that would call for the city of Utica to make up financially for any operating losses.
