Charlotte getting Canes AHL affiliate (Albany)

[Mountaineer]

Sucks for the fans in Albany as the River Rats are a good team, but it's a plus for the folks in Charlotte as well as the Hurricanes.

Charlotte gets new hockey franchise

Charlotte is moving up in the professional hockey world.

Charlotte Checkers owner Michael Kahn has purchased the American Hockey League's Albany (N.Y.) River Rats, the primary minor-league affiliate of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, the River Rats announced today.

That moves Charlotte’s hockey presence from the ECHL to the AHL, the NHL's top developmental league. It's the equivalent of AAA baseball to the major leagues and will be similar to Charlotte Knights' association with the Chicago White Sox.

The Hurricanes have been trying to find an AHL location where its prospects would be closer to Raleigh. They've been affiliated with the Albany franchise for four years.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/topsto ... 37388.html

[dgreco]

Oklahoma City is also getting the former Edmonton (i believe) Roadrunners. They will be an AHL affiliate for the Oilers.

[danefan]

Just saw this as well. Albany may not be without an AHL team for long as a local businessman (Billy Fucillo) is rumored to be trying to buy the Bridgeport CT, NY Islanders AH affiliate.

[dgreco]

Just saw this as well. Albany may not be without an AHL team for long as a local businessman (Billy Fucillo) is rumored to be trying to buy the Bridgeport CT, NY Islanders AH affiliate.

There is a possibility the Springfield, MA team might move also. I think that could be a logical move for them. I guess Edmonton might be letting go of ties with the Springfield team, because of the OKC team, and they will be open to relocate.

[Mountaineer]

Yup, this ESPN link confirms the Oilers contract with their Springfield team expires after this season.

Good to hear Albany may get another team to replace the River Rats. I guess the new AHL team is going to take the name of Charlotte's ECHL team, the Checkers. Where the former Checkers end up is anyone's guess.

Canes Press Release:

Canes Prospects to Start Play in Charlotte in 2010-11
Checkers owner Michael Kahn purchases Albany River Rats AHL franchise
Wednesday, 02.10.2010 / 2:41 PM / News
By Ken Preston

RALEIGH, NC—Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today at a news conference in Charlotte, announced that the Hurricanes’ American Hockey League (AHL) prospects will begin play in Charlotte in 2010-11.

“We are very pleased that Charlotte will be the new home for the Carolina Hurricanes’ top prospects,” said Rutherford. “The city has a proud hockey heritage spanning more than five decades, and we are excited that the Hurricanes will be a part of the new era of hockey in Charlotte.”

Michael Kahn, owner of the ECHL’s Charlotte Checkers, has purchased the Albany River Rats AHL franchise, and at today’s news conference announced a multi-year affiliation agreement with the Hurricanes.

“I am extremely excited to bring AHL hockey to Charlotte,” said Kahn. “The city of Charlotte has experienced tremendous growth in recent years and with that comes expectations of a higher level of professional sports, hockey notwithstanding. Fans will now be able to watch a player in Charlotte one night and with the Hurricanes the next. Hockey is and will remain an important component of the Charlotte sports landscape and the Checkers will continue to be the best family sports entertainment value in town.”

The Hurricanes will join just three other U.S.-based NHL teams – Detroit, Chicago and Dallas – whose AHL affiliates are located less than 200 miles away and in the same state.

A separate announcement concerning other details of the Hurricanes’ and Checkers’ affiliation will be made in the coming weeks.

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=517100

[mcveyrl]

Yup, this ESPN link confirms the Oilers contract with their Springfield team expires after this season.

Good to hear Albany may get another team to replace the River Rats. I guess the new AHL team is going to take the name of Charlotte's ECHL team, the Checkers. Where the former Checkers end up is anyone's guess.

Canes Press Release:

Canes Prospects to Start Play in Charlotte in 2010-11
Checkers owner Michael Kahn purchases Albany River Rats AHL franchise
Wednesday, 02.10.2010 / 2:41 PM / News
By Ken Preston

RALEIGH, NC—Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today at a news conference in Charlotte, announced that the Hurricanes’ American Hockey League (AHL) prospects will begin play in Charlotte in 2010-11.

“We are very pleased that Charlotte will be the new home for the Carolina Hurricanes’ top prospects,” said Rutherford. “The city has a proud hockey heritage spanning more than five decades, and we are excited that the Hurricanes will be a part of the new era of hockey in Charlotte.”

Michael Kahn, owner of the ECHL’s Charlotte Checkers, has purchased the Albany River Rats AHL franchise, and at today’s news conference announced a multi-year affiliation agreement with the Hurricanes.

“I am extremely excited to bring AHL hockey to Charlotte,” said Kahn. “The city of Charlotte has experienced tremendous growth in recent years and with that comes expectations of a higher level of professional sports, hockey notwithstanding. Fans will now be able to watch a player in Charlotte one night and with the Hurricanes the next. Hockey is and will remain an important component of the Charlotte sports landscape and the Checkers will continue to be the best family sports entertainment value in town.”

The Hurricanes will join just three other U.S.-based NHL teams – Detroit, Chicago and Dallas – whose AHL affiliates are located less than 200 miles away and in the same state.

A separate announcement concerning other details of the Hurricanes’ and Checkers’ affiliation will be made in the coming weeks.

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=517100

Very cool. We went to a Checkers game last year and my son loved it. He won't know the difference, but it mean much better hockey for Charlotte. I always thought it was weird they didn't have an AHL team.

[dgreco]

word is Lowell Devils may end up in Albany