[News] AHL new Pacific Divison announced. Flames will move affiliate to Stockton

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by devo22

too bad that it's going to be the Stockton Flames or something like that. Keeping the Stockton Thunder with a red bearded viking would have been pretty badass.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by BloodFetish

Removing the Thunder below and a quick tweak of the mustache colors... Might as well adopt it immediately

EDIT: Stockton Fire Gods?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

I'd really like to see the Stockton team retain the Thunder name. It has history in the area.

I think that is one of the reasons things went wrong in Quad Cities, they didn't keep the name that everyone identified with. The Thunder is a fine name and can be related to the Flames as both are natural phenomena.

[troutman]

Stockton Johns.

[Drury18]

I've been reading a lot of the AHL Flames social media today and, understandably, a ton of fans are pissed about this announcement. This is two teams in two years that they have lost. Many saying they will not be attending anymore Flames games this season and feel that the NHL Flames betrayed them by moving a team here with no intentions of it lasting past a season.

I really hope that the fan support in Glen Falls doesn't completely fall off the radar because of a business decision. I can understand where some of them are coming from, but the guys playing on the ice are playing for that jersey right now. They don't control where they play and the business behind it. Would be terrible to see the prospects having to play in a toxic environment because of the announcement. We just got them out of Abbotsford and it seems like now they might be going right back into it to finish this year.
.

[Resolute 14]

For those wishing to see the other shoe drop, follow @dianacnearhos, the Flames beat writer in Glens Falls, as the ECHL announcement is about to be made.

Of note, she says the press release says the new ECHL team is presently unnamed.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Drury18

I've been reading a lot of the AHL Flames social media today and, understandably, a ton of fans are pissed about this announcement. This is two teams in two years that they have lost. Many saying they will not be attending anymore Flames games this season and feel that the NHL Flames betrayed them by moving a team here with no intentions of it lasting past a season.

I really hope that the fan support in Glen Falls doesn't completely fall off the radar because of a business decision. I can understand where some of them are coming from, but the guys playing on the ice are playing for that jersey right now. They don't control where they play and the business behind it. Would be terrible to see the prospects having to play in a toxic environment because of the announcement. We just got them out of Abbotsford and it seems like now they might be going right back into it to finish this year.
.

Considering the Flames have at least helped to make sure they are still getting a team... they can't be that mad. When the Red Wings left, they ended up with a UHL team.

[Alberta_Beef]

Stockton Grizzlies

[Madman]

ECHL team to replace the AHL Flames in Glens Falls.

Following Calgary’s purchase of the Stockton Thunder and the approval from both the ECHL and the AHL Board of Governors, the Flames have made a transfer of teams between the two leagues. Stockton will become the newest market in the American Hockey League and will operate as Calgary’s primary development affiliate. The Flames new ECHL franchise will relocate to Glens Falls beginning the 2015-16 season.

“We are excited that we have been able to structure agreements that allow us to secure both markets to play an important role in the development process of the Calgary Flames,” said Flames President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke. “Glens Falls has been a tremendous partner in the first season of our relationship and it was vital for us to maintain such a hockey rich environment for our prospects. At the same time, we have been able to move our AHL program closer to home on the west coast. In a short period, Stockton has become a very successful hockey market and we look forward to building on that success with the American Hockey League.”

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=750975

[Hockey Fan #751]

Why would the team not be named the Stockton Thunder? Didn't the Flames make this exact same mistake in Quad City?

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Kevin, those striped shirts with white collars were out of style a while ago. C'mon.

Edit: Oh right, Edmonton. That style is probably just arriving on the shelves.

Truth.

[ricosuave]

Where's Waldo?

Originally Posted by Madman

Noooooooooooooooooo!

[FlamesAddiction]

The Stockton Sons

Seriously though, I wouldn't blame the Glens Falls fans for being pissed. They were pretty much used. Granted, if not for the Flames, they likely wouldn't have a team at all, but it still kind of sucks. I think the truth of the matter is though, Glens Falls is a AA town and not an AHL city.

A question for anyone that follows the ECHL, but do they get the same roster upheaval that AHL teams tend to get during the course of the season, and do they see the near 100% turnover that AHL teams have after a few seasons? As a secondary developmental league, I would think that the teams have a little more continuity and control over their rosters. It's kind of the impression that I get and if true, would make the ECHL more interesting IMO. There would still obviously be an AHL calling up players sometimes, but would it happen as much?

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Kevin, those striped shirts with white collars were out of style a while ago. C'mon.

Edit: Oh right, Edmonton. That style is probably just arriving on the shelves.

1987 just arrived in Edmonton.

Spoiler!

[FlamesAddiction]

He is just trying to live up to the KLown name.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The Stockton Sons

Seriously though, I wouldn't blame the Glens Falls fans for being pissed. They were pretty much used. Granted, if not for the Flames, they likely wouldn't have a team at all, but it still kind of sucks. I think the truth of the matter is though, Glens Falls is a AA town and not an AHL city.

A question for anyone that follows the ECHL, but do they get the same roster upheaval that AHL teams tend to get during the course of the season, and do they see the near 100% turnover that AHL teams have after a few seasons? As a secondary developmental league, I would think that the teams have a little more continuity and control over their rosters. It's kind of the impression that I get and if true, would make the ECHL more interesting IMO. There would still obviously be an AHL calling up players sometimes, but would it happen as much?

There isn't as much roster upheaval for an ECHL team as an AHL team.

Unlike the NHL there is no roster limit for an AHL team, so often AHL teams will carry extra skaters in case of injury and don't need to call up as often from the ECHL.

However there should be a lot of turnover in the ECHL. Each ECHL team is only allowed 4 veteran players on their active roster or reserve list. A veteran is defined as a player with 260 or more pro games or a player over 24 years old. So once you become a veteran, it is harder to keep a roster spot.

Also interesting is that the maximum roster an ECHL team can dress is 18 including 2 goaltenders for each game. Which usually means 9 forwards 6 dmen and 2 goalies and an extra skater.

[sureLoss]

I also mentioned this previously, but if the Flames did not move their AHL affiliate to Glens Falls this season, the city of Glens Falls was set to board up the arena. They couldn't afford to operate it.

After the Flames moved in, the city was able to sell the arena to a group that is spending money to renovate it.

[Flamescat]

Here's how you win over the crowd..



The Stockton Reapers

-no one is going to car jack them, they'll think it's a bike gang.

-use the flames retro colors to recolour this logo, put the Atlanta "A" in the reaper's hand, use the home and away retros.

-it'll fly off the shelves in regards of merchandise, just think of the leather vests they'll sell.

-can't be anymore violent than the hitmen

-and if you think the Flames org won't use a fad I have 4 words for you: Howie the Honey Badger

*green text

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Considering the Flames have at least helped to make sure they are still getting a team... they can't be that mad. When the Red Wings left, they ended up with a UHL team.

The disappointment is understandable though. The Phantoms were a temporary team, and that was stated up front. Calgary couldn't say the same because they had no idea this time last year whether the pacific division would get off the ground. So the Glens Falls affiliation might have been longer term. So for the fans in the city, they thought they were keeping the AHL, only to essentially be given a bait and switch.

But, as sureloss noted, that one year with the Addy Flames was enough to save pro hockey in the city. I think many people in Glens Falls will come to terms with it and support the team. From that respect, giving the ECHL team a new name is probably a good idea. Hold a contest and let the fans begin to build that local identity.

[DoubleF]

I hope Stockton and Addy do well. Especially Addy. They seem pretty cool. Anyone who can create Scorch the way they did... Thumbs up.