Around The League: The Spring Carousel Begins

A few notes on the franchise situations around the AHL to satisfy puckheads craving AHL info:
  • Milwaukee and Nashville have extended their affiliation agreement until 2011-2012 with a mutual option for a third year. [Milwaukee Admirals]

  • The rumor mill suggests that Columbus is unhappy with their affiliation agreement with Syracuse and may not renew at the end of the year. From the article:
    "There are 18 independently owned AHL franchises, some possessing contracts enabling them to annually opt out of agreements."
    Texas is not in this category, since the team is owned by Dallas. Also, here's a list from the same article of the longest existing affiliation agreements in the AHL:

    1. Boston / Providence (1992)
    2. N.Y. Rangers / Hartford (1997)
    3. Nashville / Milwaukee (1998)
    4. Pittsburgh / Wilkes-Barre-Scranton (1999)
    5. Columbus / Syracuse (2000)

    That last one might be in jeopardy now...[Columbus Dispatch]

  • Down in the ECHL, there are a couple of minor changes afoot other than the upgrade of the Charlotte Checkers to the AHL. Todd Ford and Travis Morin's old boss, South Carolina Stingrays president, Darren Abbott, is bolting to the Manchester Monarchs (AHL). Also, the Stockton Thunder are having issues with negotiations with the city. Shows how important it is to own the arena you play in. [Blades' Blog]

  • Prodigal Hockey closed their contest to submissions for the name for the new AHL team to play in Oklahoma City next season. Apparently there were over 20,000 submissions. [Prodigal Hockey]

  • Hamilton Bulldogs are working on resolving lease agreement for Copps Coliseum for next year. [Hamilton Spectator]

  • Good general overview of where Dave Andrews, AHL Commissioner, sees the leagues going and how he manages and grows the AHL. [The Hockey News]

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