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

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Locke

The Fort McMurray Heat.

Funny enough, I could see this maybe happening one day. I know the city is looking to bring in a WHL, ECHL or an AHL team, and they have a beautiful new arena on the way. The airport is now international, and it coincides with a rumoured Pacific division. Probably lots of Flames fans up there too.

[trublmaker]

Originally Posted by Locke

The Fort McMurray Heat.

why not, Murray Edwards has some sort of little company up there too I believe

[soulchoice]

I would not mind if the Heat were to move here, Calgary. I am not a Hitmen fan nor cheer/care for them. Hence, besides the NHL games, my dollars would flow to the AHL team.

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by FAN

I was never a fan of having the farm team in Abbotsford. The biggest advantage really was to spite Canucks fans. Our prospects deserve to play in front of a packed house when they are giving their all and winning.

its the ahl very few pack the house....

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

I would not mind if the Heat were to move here, Calgary. I am not a Hitmen fan nor cheer/care for them. Hence, besides the NHL games, my dollars would flow to the AHL team.

That is a complete impossibility. It just won't happen.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Would have been a kick in the nuts to Abbotsford but with the Flames and Hitmen both out of the playoffs it would have been awesome to be able to play all the Heat playoff games in Calgary.

I'm really curious what kind of crowd they would draw for a Calder Cup playoff run? I don't think they'd sell out the the third bowl but I'd guess they'd end up with 13,000 or 14,000 if they promoted it well. Especially with Baertschi on the team.

[DSIM420]

Move to the Heat to Kelowna, it is only a 45 minute flight to Calgary, plus BC-Chris and I can have seasons tickets!

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

That is a complete impossibility. It just won't happen.

Ken King did say they would consider a temporary destination if it means they'll get the perfect location at a later time. I don't think it would be 100% out of the realm of possibility that they temporarily set up shop at the Corral or something. Highly unlikely, but not impossible.

[OzSome]

Wow, freaking perfect timing by the city to announce the termination of contract with the Heat. Can't they wait until after the playoffs? I am hoping for the Flames to find a home for Heat closer to Calgary. Like I mentioned earlier I think Saskatoon is the right fit and call it Saskatchewan Heat or whatever.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Ken King did say they would consider a temporary destination if it means they'll get the perfect location at a later time. I don't think it would be 100% out of the realm of possibility that they temporarily set up shop at the Corral or something. Highly unlikely, but not impossible.

The only thing they could hope to do is cannibalize the Hitmen, Roughnecks and even Flames. There's no realistic business case for bringing the AHL team into Calgary, even on a temporary basis.

[The Swedish Flame]

For purely selfish reasons, I'd love it if they replaced the Rivermen in Peoria.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Ken King did say they would consider a temporary destination if it means they'll get the perfect location at a later time. I don't think it would be 100% out of the realm of possibility that they temporarily set up shop at the Corral or something. Highly unlikely, but not impossible.

Trying to squeeze a bit more money out of Glen Falls I'm sure.

[kremb]

I guess the City of Abbotsford saw #53 play on Sunday and realized he wont be playing there next year.

ACs JG highlight video from Sunday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWAP6hrSMZk

#53

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

I would not mind if the Heat were to move here, Calgary. I am not a Hitmen fan nor cheer/care for them. Hence, besides the NHL games, my dollars would flow to the AHL team.

The Flames make way too much money off of the Hitmen to just fold them for an AHL team. It's pure profit and an AHL team would surely mean the end of the Hitmen. I think the crowds would be about the same as the Hitmen, with similar ticket prices. The only problem is the Flames have to pay the players and they don't have to pay the Hitmen players (unless you count $400-$600 a month paying them). They can profit from an AHL team elsewhere and keep the Hitmen money. To essentially eliminate one of your biggest money-makers would be stupid.

That said, I too would much rather watch AHL hockey over WHL games and would be all for folding the Hitmen for a team. I just don't see how it would make sense for the Flames to do that.

[Vulcan]

For me it's either move to Glen Falls or St. John's. Both are proven AHL cities with good attendance. I'm tired of experimenting with new cities that don't work out.

St. John's has an average attendance of 6,287 compared to Abbotsford's 3007. It's a place that should make money and be a good atmosphere for our players. Travel is the only drawback.

Glen Falls' Adirondack team averages only 4,154 but still should be able to break even. It seems to be a hockey hotbed who really want an AHL team and is in a good AHL location. Here's an upbeat article on Glen Falls.

http://theahl.com/glens-falls-making-its-case-p189808

Downtown Glens Falls has been alive again. Pregame buzz and people-traffic have been a huge boost to area businesses. Even non-hockey fans have turned out in droves and welcomed the affordable family entertainment option now available through the cold and snowy winter months of the North Country. This new era of the American Hockey League in Glens Falls continues to be a triumph.

It's too bad NHL teams couldn't have two AAA teams like in the old 6 team league. Teams would have a team in the eastern based AHL for quick call ups while also having a team in the old WHL for more long term prospects and vets.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

I hope they don't end up in Glens Falls. The biggest reason is that there's no airport near the city, you have to go all the way to Albany to fly out. That's an hour out of the way. If there's any sort of bad weather (and that area gets a lot of it), you're not getting your player if you need him in any sort of decent amount of time.

I'd try and see if the Rangers will move into there and try and get into Hartford instead. Plenty of travel options out of Hartford, plus better facilities overall.

[McG]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

and a big FU to the few fans in Abbotsford that actually supported the team

I do appreciate that there are solid supporters for the heat in abbotsford and a few of them are good posters here, but there just aren't enough of them. it is true that they would be the biggest loss bearers, and the vendors at the rink as well if the playoffs were held elsewhere.

Leaving emotions out of it, it makes alot of sense especially if there are financial losses every game from a city council point of view though, and as they have indicated, they have executed the exit clause.

The time is too short, so my points are moot.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

I'd try and see if the Rangers will move into there and try and get into Hartford instead. Plenty of travel options out of Hartford, plus better facilities overall.

might not be too far off on this one, a Hartford Wolfpack fan last night tweeted the Flames were touring the XL center

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Muta

Funny enough, I could see this maybe happening one day. I know the city is looking to bring in a WHL, ECHL or an AHL team, and they have a beautiful new arena on the way. The airport is now international, and it coincides with a rumoured Pacific division. Probably lots of Flames fans up there too.

That would probably become one of the best places to see a game, especially mini BoA.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Ken King did say they would consider a temporary destination if it means they'll get the perfect location at a later time. I don't think it would be 100% out of the realm of possibility that they temporarily set up shop at the Corral or something. Highly unlikely, but not impossible.

I'll take any playoff hockey. If they need a temp home, stick them in the Corral. Or Dome if the scheduling works.

I'd go to every game that I am in town for.