Abbotsford Flames: One Step Closer?

[Kodii]

Calgary Flames seek to move AHL team to Abbotsford

League’s board of governors will need convincing because of long-distance travel to the West Coast

By Vicki Hall, Canwest News Service March 12, 2009 11:02 AM

‘We intend to file for relocation to Abbotsford,’ Calgary Flames president Ken King said of moving the NHL’s team’s American Hockey League affiliate to the Fraser Valley. ‘We’ve got a lot of critical, key prospects in our system, and we need a great home for them to prepare for the NHL. We’ve had substantial discussions with Abbotsford.’

DETROIT — The Abbotsford Flames? That’s what the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames are planning for the next home of their American Hockey League affiliate, the team’s president said today.

The Flames’ American Hockey League farm team in Quad Cities, Ill., is set to flicker into oblivion at the end of the season. After months of speculation, the Flames released the Quad City ownership group Thursday from the remaining three years of their minor-league affiliate agreement with the NHL club.

Flames president Ken King confirmed his intention today of signing a 10-year affiliation agreement with a group of investors in Abbotsford.

“We intend to file for relocation to Abbotsford,” King said. “We’ve got a lot of critical, key prospects in our system, and we need a great home for them to prepare for the NHL.

“We’ve had substantial discussions with Abbotsford. We’re in a situation where we’re completely comfortable with the terms of an arrangement.”

The move to Abbotsford requires approval of the AHL board of governors, and there could be resistance from teams opposed to the travel.

Abbotsford is a community of 130,000 about 75 kilometres east of Vancouver on the Trans-Canada Highway. The nearest AHL city is Winnipeg, a 24-hour bus ride away in good weather.

“I don’t know if I would term it resistance, but I think they’re going to need to be convinced because of the geography,” King said. “They’re going to need to be convinced things like travel subsidies are nailed down.”

The potential Abbotsford ownership group has agreed to pay travel subsidies to help alleviate the cost of cross-country flights for the opposition.

The Abbotsford group envisions itself as the first AHL team to set up shop on the West Coast to serve teams in the Pacific time zone.

“It’s a bold move,” King said. “And I think it’s a smart move. It’s a Canadian market. They know hockey. They understand hockey. They appreciate hockey. And they’ve been years in the making.

“They’ve been courting us and other teams for a long time.”

With no potential tenant nailed down, Abbotsford built a spiffy $65-million, 7,018-seat building set for completion at the end of March.

In Quad Cities, with an average attendance of 2,810, the Flames rank 28th in the 29-team AHL. The local ownership estimates losses this season at $1.3 million US.

“We like Quad Cities, and we thought we were building something,” King said. “But we also appreciate, in the face of a worsening economy and two very difficult years, and respect the effort they put in. They’re wonderful people. They tried very hard, and I think it’s going to be necessary for us to look at other options.”
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
Source: The Vancouver Sun -- http://www.vancouversun.com/Sports/Calgary+Flames+seek+move+team+Abbotsford/1382011/story.html

[Distill3d]

its about damn time BC gotta pro hockey team!

go Flames go!

[Ogopogo Fan]

I might pay for a ticket just to go boo.:yes:

[Kodii]

When Manitoba comes, it's gonna be a massive sellout :haha:

So much for home team support

[djmk]

the travel is going to kill the players.

the two teams in canada are Winnipeg, Hamilton and TO and the rest of the teams are in basically on the east coast USA and around the great lakes except for texas.

unless, the AHL is planning a major expansion west.... why abbostford and not something in quebec (as an example)?

[Kodii]

^Probably because people in Abbotsford actively sought to bring the team here, and did an extremely good job

[Denscity]

It only takes 24 hours to bus from Abbotsford to Winnipeg? Is this a jet powered bus with a police escort?

[LeftCoaster]

you could do Winnipeg to Abbotsford in under 24 hours easy.

[Denscity]

Really? It takes 7.5 hours just to drive from here to van or to calgary alone. You can cross three and a half provinces in 24 hours? In the winter during hockey season? Ok, i'll take your word for it.

[Canadian Mind]

you could do Winnipeg to Abbotsford in under 24 hours easy.

Yea, but that is a direct haul, which is illegal. And what a shitty bus trip for hockey players.

[LeftCoaster]

illegal?

Please enlighten me.

[Kodii]

Really? It takes 7.5 hours just to drive from here to van or to calgary alone. You can cross three and a half provinces in 24 hours? In the winter during hockey season? Ok, i'll take your word for it.
Vancouver-Calgary would be the longest portion (at ~10-12hr?) simply because of the mountains and winding roads. Calgary through to Winnipeg is pretty boring/flat/direct. 24 hours did sound really odd to me though.

[crazyjoeda]

Im sure there will be long road trips and home stands.

Google says it takes 23.5 hours to drive Abbotsford to Winnipeg, but that is non-stop.

[East Van]

Ive done it in 22 with snow.

[DKaz]

Ive done it in 22 with snow.

Yah that's doable.

An AHL team in Abby would be awesome but I didn't realize that there were geographic concerns.

[Hong Kongese]

What should they call the new Abbotsford team?

[Kodii]

:previous: Wow, the topic must be very important to you :haha:

They'd probably stick with Abbotsford Flames (considering Quad City Flames), but it'd be nice to change it up maybe to hide the fact that they are actually Calgary Flames affiliated

[Hong Kongese]

Abbotsford Abbots? :D

[Kodii]

I think thats almost as bad as the St. Georges Saints

[Smooth]

So if the Manitoba Moose played the Abbotsford "Flames", who would you cheer for?

Too bad we couldn't do a swap with Winnipeg so that we get the Canuck's farm team.

[Distill3d]

:previous: Wow, the topic must be very important to you :haha:

They'd probably stick with Abbotsford Flames (considering Quad City Flames), but it'd be nice to change it up maybe to hide the fact that they are actually Calgary Flames affiliated

i think i heard something from a friend who works in the Flames office about them potentially being named the Fraser Valley Flames if they do move to Abbotsford.

[Kodii]

Calgary Flames file application to move AHL farm team to Abbotsford

By Ian Walker, Vancouver Sun March 17, 2009 1:02 PM

ABBOTSFORD — An official application to relocate the Calgary Flames' American Hockey League affiliate to Abbotsford was filed Tuesday.

The application is the next step in bringing the AHL to the city and its new 7,000 seat arena. If approved by the AHL board of governors, the team would start playing in the Fraser Valley city next fall.

On hand to sign a partnership agreement was local ownership group front man Lane Sweeting and Flames president Ken King.

While delighted the two parties are at this juncture, both men cautioned hockey fans that the biggest hurdle is yet to come. Three-quarters of the AHL's governors must agree to move the team from Quad Cities in Illinois, meaning as few as eight no votes would prevent it from taking place..

This would be the AHL's first foray to the West Coast.

"It's going to be a real challenge, for sure," said King. "This is a move very far afield into the west. It's a bold move. It's going to be a very tight vote. We'll need to convince them that this is the right move."

A decision will not be made for at least 10 days in order to give the Flames time to convince other AHL team owners.

iwalker@vancouversun.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
Source: The Vancouver Sun -- http://www.vancouversun.com/Sports/Calgary+Flames+file+application+move+farm+team+Abbotsford/1398784/story.html

[DKaz]

If they were the Abbotsford Flames, all they have to do is revive the old Atlanta Flames logo and modernize it.

Abbotsford is its own city, there is no need for the affiliation with Vancouver and the Canucks.

[KPELLY]

I don't know about you guys, but I think if the team is moved to Abbotsford, when the Manitoba come to town to play them I think there will be a LOT of Moose fans in the crowd. Should be pretty interesting, might be like a home game for Manitoba.

[Hong Kongese]

If they were the Abbotsford Flames, all they have to do is revive the old Atlanta Flames logo and modernize it.



Agreed, I always like the Alanta Flames logo.



Quote:"I don't know about you guys, but I think if the team is moved to Abbotsford, when the Manitoba come to town to play them I think there will be a LOT of Moose fans in the crowd. Should be pretty interesting, might be like a home game for Manitoba."


GO FLAMES GO! :D

[Distill3d]

what i don't get, and the question i've been asking is why didn't the Canucks consider this move with the Moose?

[Rusty Gull]

^Because in Winnipeg they get to be the big fish in an NHL-calibre market. It's hard to find another city in North America that supports a farm team like the Peg does for its Moose.

[DKaz]

The Manitoba Moose are doing very well in Winnipeg.

The Quad City Flames lost $1.3 million dollars last year.

[Kodii]

AHL vote April 28

By Joe Millican - Abbotsford News

Published: April 15, 2009 4:00 PM
Updated: April 15, 2009 4:40 PM

Abbotsford’s American Hockey League (AHL) fate will be decided on April 28.

The AHL has set that date for a vote of its board of governors, which will determine whether Abbotsford will have an AHL team for the 2009-2010 season.

A local ownership group has already signed a 10-year affiliation agreement with the Calgary Flames, of the National Hockey League (NHL), to shift their farm team to Abbotsford this year.

It is that deal which needs league approval. At least 22 of the league’s 29 board of governors need to say yes.

The vote will be staged in Chicago, said ownership group spokesman Lane Sweeting, with the group making a presentation to the board immediately beforehand.

Expecting a tight vote, Sweeting said he is still optimistic Abbotsford’s application will receive the backing it needs.

Between now and then, he said the Abbotsford group is contacting board members and explaining the business plan – which the board now has in its possession.

“We are optimistic they are looking at it as an opportunity for a western team,” said Sweeting.

“We think it’s a solid business plan for the league and we are hoping politics won’t play too great of a part.”

The “big issue” facing the board is the travel costs, according to Sweeting, who hopes that with the ownership group agreeing to pay all of those fees, there will be no more significant obstacles.

Some teams which bus will even pay less for travel, he said, because the ownership group has agreed to pay all of the costs. Under Abbotsford’s business plan, teams would be subsidized to fly to the Lower Mainland by plane.

“This might reduce travel costs for some, and certainly won’t increase them for anybody,” Sweeting said.

In terms of a team name, if the vote is approved, Sweeting said the ownership group will almost immediately release a shortlist of up to five suggestions and public input would then be sought. Team names can still be pitched at www.fraservalleyahl.com.

Source: The Abbotsford News -- http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_valley/abbynews/news/43069297.html

Any other ideas for the team name?

I suggested the Jets

[Locked In]

AHL approves Flames affiliate in Abbotsford

By Chuck Chiang, Canwest News Service - April 28, 2009 11:02 AM

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.vancouversun.com/sports/approves+flames+affiliate+abbotsford/1542393/1542399.bin
The new Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Complex is covered with construction crews as they prepare the arena for it's scheduled opening next month.
Photograph by: Vancouver Sun files, .

CALGARY — The American Hockey League has approved the move of Calgary Flames' minor league affiliate to Abbotsford, officials said Tuesday.

Abbotsford Mayor George W. Peary said in a release that the AHL board of governors have approved the franchise, which will start play next season. The team has yet to be named.

"We are excited to have the AHL coming to Abbotsford," said Peary. "The Calgary Flames AHL affiliate team will bring a new brand of hockey to the knowledgeable fans in our City, in the Fraser Valley and across the Lower Mainland."

Calgary's AHL affiliate played in Quad Cities, Ill., last year. Poor attendance — the team ranked 28th out of 29 teams in the AHL — sealed the team's fate in Illinois, where the Flames released the local ownership group from the last three years of the affiliate agreement last month.

More to come on this story …
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Source: Vancouver Sun (http://www.vancouversun.com/Sports/approves+Flames+affiliate+Abbotsford/1542393/story.html)

[Vancity]

I have mixed feelings about this move. On one hand, I think it's great that Abbotsford gets an AHL franchise - being able to see the young Flames prospects. On the other hand, this is BC, and I wonder if the Canucks have territorial rights (kind of like what Toronto has with the Leafs). It's a lot of hockey in the province right now. Chilliwack has a team, Abbotsford has a team, there are the Giants in Vancouver, the Canucks. Wow. that's a ton of hockey. For hockey fans, this is good ^^

[Yume-sama]

They should rename them from the Flames. What would be a good Abbostford name :P

It is great to have another "pro" hockey team in the area. Their road trips will be HELL, though.

[Vancity]

They should name the Abbotsford franchise the Abbotsford Pilots :D I remember going to the air shows out in Abby when I was a kid. I think they still have them, do they?

[EastVanMark]

I have mixed feelings about this move. On one hand, I think it's great that Abbotsford gets an AHL franchise - being able to see the young Flames prospects. On the other hand, this is BC, and I wonder if the Canucks have territorial rights (kind of like what Toronto has with the Leafs). It's a lot of hockey in the province right now. Chilliwack has a team, Abbotsford has a team, there are the Giants in Vancouver, the Canucks. Wow. that's a ton of hockey. For hockey fans, this is good ^^

The Canucks only have territorial rights for NHL TEAMS moving within a certain distance within GM Place. Minor league or Semi-pro teams are not covered.

If anything, down the road the Flames and Canucks should switch minor league affiliates with the Flames getting Winnipeg and the Canucks getting Abbotsford.

[DKaz]

What if the new team name should reflect the Bible Belt side of the city.

Abbotsford Lambs
Abbotsford Preachers

or for some flair with the Pilots theme...

Abbotsford FC (Flying Christ)

I still like the Abbotsford Flames with the modernized Atlanta Flames logo idea the best.

[240glt]

The Abbotsford Cow Shits

oh wait, that's Chilliwack

[Distill3d]

I have mixed feelings about this move. On one hand, I think it's great that Abbotsford gets an AHL franchise - being able to see the young Flames prospects. On the other hand, this is BC, and I wonder if the Canucks have territorial rights (kind of like what Toronto has with the Leafs). It's a lot of hockey in the province right now. Chilliwack has a team, Abbotsford has a team, there are the Giants in Vancouver, the Canucks. Wow. that's a ton of hockey. For hockey fans, this is good ^^

purely coincidence I'm sure, but I just noticed that with this region, as you come in from the east and go west, the leagues go up one notch. Chillwack - WHL, Abbotsford - AHL, and Vancouver - NHL?

They should name the Abbotsford franchise the Abbotsford Pilots I remember going to the air shows out in Abby when I was a kid. I think they still have them, do they?

friend of mine in the Calgary Flames head office a while back was saying the team may be known as the Fraser Valley Flames. Though, if it is the Abbotsford Flames, they could at least revive the Atlanta Flames logo.

[Kodii]

HOORAY!!

The Abbotsford Pilots already exist (BC Junior Hockey).

I think the Abbotsford Jets would be a good name, but I do not know how that would work with copying the Winnipeg name

[Kodii]

Tw6XdpOu06k

[Yume-sama]

Do AHL teams get to fly or do they have to bus it?

[Jacques]

from Calgary they just need to walk around the bible belt, pray and hope they get there, shouldn't be too hard to find.

JOKE
Good luck truly, oh I forgot they lost, well maybe next year, for now well try to be nice to the best in the world THE CANUCKS :)

[Yume-sama]

:P Yes, it was sad, though not unexpected (we made it to 6 games instead of what everyone predicted... 5!). Fortunately I have season tickets to both the Flames and Canucks.

I was hoping the Canucks would bomb out this year so I could upgrade my seats :(

[Jacques]

:P Yes, it was sad, though not unexpected (we made it to 6 games instead of what everyone predicted... 5!). Fortunately I have season tickets to both the Flames and Canucks.

I was hoping the Canucks would bomb out this year so I could upgrade my seats :(

Your where hoping the Canucks would bomb, you are going to hell for this one.
:yes: :yes: :yes:
JOKE
All will be forgiven once you kiss the ice rink where the Canucks play.
I am sure you will enjoy the playoff :banana: :banana: :banana:

:worship: :worship: CANUCKS :worship: :worship:

[Kodii]

The team has been named dispite high levels of complaint.

Abbotsford Heat.

How terrible and how ironic. They DO realize we live in a temperate rainforest?

[Yume-sama]

That's a horrible name...

They must have chosen the worst of the fan suggestions.

[DKaz]

But Abbotsford can be 5C to 7C warmer than Vancouver in the summer.

[Yume-sama]

But Abbotsford can be 5C to 7C warmer than Vancouver in the summer.

But hockey isn't played in the Summer! :sly:

[LeftCoaster]

Especially not in Vancouver :(

[DKaz]

Then... we need the HEAT to warm us up in the winter since we're like 3-5 degrees C colder than Vancouver. lol.

I play hockey in the summer.

[Kodii]

If you take a look at the Abbotsford AHL Blog (http://www.fraservalleyahl.com/blog/), there is a LOT of dissent over the names that were shortlisted (myself included). I am saddened that nobody seems to have taken notice, neither the ownership group nor the media.

The only thing holding my hope for Abby was our acquirement of an AHL team, but now that they've named it the Abbotsford Heat, that just burns me up :hell: (excuse the pun)

Only three months and two weeks until I can return to Canuck territory...

[98fb]

^^ What the heck does the giants have to do with anything. I don't see anyone complaining about that name.

[Distill3d]

is the logo going to be a flaming H or a flaming A?

honestly, I do think that Heat is a stupid name for the area, but I don't think they'd do so well around here being named the Abbotsford Flames and being the farm team for the Calgary Flames.

[DKaz]

A lot of people wanted the Aviators, but a lot of people wanted the old Atlanta Flames logo to be used as well.

[Kodii]

I think a lot of people are upset because the ownership group explicitly stated that the name would not draw from the Calgary Flames.

[Distill3d]

A lot of people wanted the Aviators, but a lot of people wanted the old Atlanta Flames logo to be used as well.

present party included.

[Kodii]

Watch them not use the Atlanta Flames logo. I wouldn't be surprised.

[Distill3d]

I wouldn't be either. I'm actually not sure if the Calgary Flames own that logo or if the NHL does. Pretty sure its Calgary because they do use it as the A for the alternates.

[DKaz]

Abbotsford Heat is now taking deposits for seasons tickets for... $100 MIIIIIILION DOLLARS.

I kid, just $100. Deposits before May 29th 5pm guarantees you a seat.

[Ricopedra]

I don't mind the Heat. If you can't handle it, then get off the ice!

Now I have some gay friends, and in fact my dentist is gay, and my GP is gay, too. It's never been an issue for me. But I've always felt a little strange watching a team of probably heterosexuals called, "the Flames" hug each other so passionately after a goal.... Go, Canucks, GOOOOOOOOOO! :>)

[Distill3d]

Now I have some gay friends, and in fact my dentist is gay, and my GP is gay, too. It's never been an issue for me. But I've always felt a little strange watching a team of probably heterosexuals called, "the Flames" hug each other so passionately after a goal.... Go, Canucks, GOOOOOOOOOO! :>)


...typical Canucks fan. At least Flames is a word that registers in my spell check.

[Kodii]

Along with the e-mails, Lane Sweeting also sent a (presumably) recorded message with the information regarding the season ticket deposit via phone.

At the end of the message he says "Let's go Heat!", but it sounded a lot more like "Let's Go Eat!", to which I accidently said outloud, "Okay!"

[DKaz]

Now I have some gay friends, and in fact my dentist is gay, and my GP is gay, too. It's never been an issue for me. But I've always felt a little strange watching a team of probably heterosexuals called, "the Flames" hug each other so passionately after a goal.... Go, Canucks, GOOOOOOOOOO! :>)

Hockey players hug after goals, it's part of the game. Maybe you don't notice when you cheer wildly when the Canucks score but they certainly hug as well.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3119366790_1e6a47c933.jpg
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/03-09/0318starssm.jpg
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/1663637.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1939057D9939C83F106C60537725D99A42D5A5397277B4DC33E

[Yume-sama]

At least they don't do this in hockey...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkEGCo85oHo