AJHL Calgary Mustangs taking a leave of absence for next season

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

from a travel perspective this is a pretty tough sell. Cranbrook to Calgary is ~4hrs. To Drum/Olds that would be almost 6hrs, 7 hrs or so to brooks. Lots of hours on the iron lung for games. The total time away from home for a wednesday game in olds would likely be a total of 14 to 16 hrs on good roads

A team there would have no easy road trips - nor would teams visiting there. Also tough mountain highways to deal with.

To me this would be a logistical nightmare - but i can see why people would talk about wanting a team there.

Would be the same as Ft Mcmurray, play primarily on weekends at home and 3 in 3 on road trips. But the interlocking schedule the league is going to would definitely create problems travel problems.

[604flames]

I think the safe bet is Cranbrook will join the BCHL, but for 2020-2021.

[Deegee]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Ehh. The Mustangs are below the Flames, Hitmen, Dinos, Cougars and even Canucks on the totem pole. There's just too many teams in the market. The only real solution is to move the Mustangs and even the Canucks to the suburbs. But none of Strathmore, Airdrie or Cochrane has a suitable spectator arena.

I love the old Cochrane Arena. I don't know what capacity is there, but it's a great barn to watch a game.

It would also kill the Generals of the Heritage league, and as a volunteer in that league, I'd hate to see them get pushed out.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by 604flames

I think the safe bet is Cranbrook will join the BCHL, but for 2020-2021.

A group looked at bringing in an AJHL franchise, but that attempt was rejected by Hockey BC.

There also has been interest in acquiring a BCHL franchise, but that apparently has been stalled by, a reported $1.2-million expansion fee.

[Drake]

No formal announcement yet but it appears all the Calgary Mustangs players are now free agents, with Andres Bridgewater signing with the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

[Drake]

The Calgary Mustangs are no more. They are moving to Blackflads.

@TheAJHL:
AJHL Approves Relocation of Calgary Mustangs to Blackfalds, AB Under New Ownership https://t.co/JmoXBVhxl5 @blackfalds https://t.co/uQdTtSzDPb

[Lubicon]

That's probably not a bad thing and hopefully they will thrive in Blackfalds. Too much competition in the Calgary market (NHL, CFL, 2 CIS, 1 ACAC, WHL) and it gives the smaller communities a chance to see some good hockey. Will be interesting to see if proximity to Red Deer and the WHL will have any negative impact. For the other AJHL teams this is plus in terms of travel for Camrose, and probably Drumheller and Olds too. Canmore, Brooks, and of course the Canucks will have a little further to go now. Not a huge deal.

I didn't realize Blackfalds has a facility to host a junior team.

[Julio]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

I didn't realize Blackfalds has a facility to host a junior team.

They don't...they are building one...plans look like it is a smaller version of Merlis Belcher Place (where the U of S plays in Saskatoon).

[Julio]

[Resolute 14]

Jesus Christ... Blackfalds has almost 10,000 people? Even so, I'm guessing they will hope to draw people in from Lacombe too.