Rumblings, rumors and speculation have boiled for at least a year, and Thursday finally brought the news everyone knew was going to drop: The AHL is moving out West next season, with five teams -- three of them currently in ECHL cities -- forming a Pacific Division.
For the ECHL and the Alaska Aces, part of that league's current Pacific Division, the upshot is that Bakersfield, Stockton and Ontario, current ECHL locations, will move to the AHL next season. That leaves the ECHL's current Pacific Division with just four returners at the moment -- Aces, Idaho Steelheads, Utah Grizzlies and Colorado Eagles,
The ECHL said Thursday that its response to the AHL's moves will come Friday. No clue how much detail will be offered, but seems certain a team or two will have to shift to the Pacific to make that a viable division in the ECHL next season. Scheduling will change significantly for the Aces -- consider that Bako, Stockton and Ontario this season are Alaska's opponents in 38 of the Aces' 72 regular-season games. Aces managing member Terry Parks said Wednesday that the remaining ECHL clubs in the West will travel to the East for road games next season and every East franchise has committed to traveling West at least once every three seasons.
Here's the deal with the AHL moves: Bakersfield will become the AHL affiliate for the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, which owns Bakersfield's franchise, and Bako replaces Oklahoma City; Stockton will become NHL Calgary's affiliate, replacing Adirondack; Ontario will become NHL Los Angeles' affiliate, replacing Manchester, New Hampshire; also, NHL San Jose will move its AHL team from Worcester, Massachusetts, to San Jose; and NHL Anaheim will move its AHL affiliate from Norfolk, Virginia, to San Diego.
Those moves will make it geographically easier to call players up from the AHL to the NHL; also, in most cases, the NHL bosses will be located much closer to their AHL affiliates, making it easier to check in on the lower-level team and on its prospects.
On a personal note, Bako's departure means no more visits from broadcaster Holtie (bummer) and no chance to have coach J.F. Houle slip me a piece of tasty sushi while getting some post-game refreshments, as he did earlier this season (again, bummer).
Anyhow, check back Friday to find out what the ECHL has to say about the future.