Saint John Flames about to fold

[Shell]

other mods, feel free to move.. not sure where minor league talk goes anymore...

Report: Saint John Flames about to fold
Canadian Press
4/21/2003

SAINT JOHN, N.B. (CP) - The Saint John Flames of the American Hockey League, are folding after 10 years, a New Brunswick newspaper reported.

The New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal says Saint John Pro Sports Inc., the local ownership group of the AHL franchise, has parted ways with the Calgary Flames, Saint John's NHL parent club for the past 10 seasons.

On March 31, the AHL's board of governors gave the Flames an extension to the deadline to declare their intentions for the 2003-04 campaign. That extension doesn't expires until next Tuesday, but with Saint John Pro Sports and Calgary still far apart financially, the two sides have opted to announce the team's demise now.

An official announcement will be made at a news conference Tuesday.

The second of two five-year agreements between the two sides expired at the end of this season. Calgary and Saint John Pro Sports share ownership of the AHL franchise, which carries an approximate value of $3 million US.

The Flames entered the AHL before the start of the 1993-94 season. They captured the Calder Cup, the league's championship trophy, in 2001.

[Shell]

other mods, feel free to move.. not sure where minor league talk goes anymore...

Report: Saint John Flames about to fold
Canadian Press
4/21/2003

SAINT JOHN, N.B. (CP) - The Saint John Flames of the American Hockey League, are folding after 10 years, a New Brunswick newspaper reported.

The New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal says Saint John Pro Sports Inc., the local ownership group of the AHL franchise, has parted ways with the Calgary Flames, Saint John's NHL parent club for the past 10 seasons.

On March 31, the AHL's board of governors gave the Flames an extension to the deadline to declare their intentions for the 2003-04 campaign. That extension doesn't expires until next Tuesday, but with Saint John Pro Sports and Calgary still far apart financially, the two sides have opted to announce the team's demise now.

An official announcement will be made at a news conference Tuesday.

The second of two five-year agreements between the two sides expired at the end of this season. Calgary and Saint John Pro Sports share ownership of the AHL franchise, which carries an approximate value of $3 million US.

The Flames entered the AHL before the start of the 1993-94 season. They captured the Calder Cup, the league's championship trophy, in 2001.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

I wonder what this means for my local ECHL team, the Johnstown Chiefs. The Flames are the AHL team for them. Hope this isn't an indication of anything.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

I wonder what this means for my local ECHL team, the Johnstown Chiefs. The Flames are the AHL team for them. Hope this isn't an indication of anything.

[MoBigRed]

I wonder what this means for my local ECHL team, the Johnstown Chiefs. The Flames are the AHL team for them. Hope this isn't an indication of anything.


Unless there is a tie through ownership, it shouldn't affect the Chiefs whatsoever. We're talking ECHL here... is they lose their affiliate, they just hop on the next bus. There are plenty of AHL teams to go around, or to share, if nothing else.

I can't imagine this will affect the Chiefs much. Shouldn't even affect the players on the ice too much either, since most ECHL teams only have a small handful of NHL contract players anyway.

[MoBigRed]

I wonder what this means for my local ECHL team, the Johnstown Chiefs. The Flames are the AHL team for them. Hope this isn't an indication of anything.


Unless there is a tie through ownership, it shouldn't affect the Chiefs whatsoever. We're talking ECHL here... is they lose their affiliate, they just hop on the next bus. There are plenty of AHL teams to go around, or to share, if nothing else.

I can't imagine this will affect the Chiefs much. Shouldn't even affect the players on the ice too much either, since most ECHL teams only have a small handful of NHL contract players anyway.

[canadianinmd]

Born and raised 90% of my life in New Brunswick, it has always been that way. AHL teams do not last in that province.
We had Montreal's farm team (Fredericton Canadiens) and also the Fredericton Express. They all left.

Most hockey fans are in the area are more interested in local hockey - univeristy, junior, midget,etc.

The maritimes have great interest in an NHL team but the only potential city would be Halifax

[canadianinmd]

Born and raised 90% of my life in New Brunswick, it has always been that way. AHL teams do not last in that province.
We had Montreal's farm team (Fredericton Canadiens) and also the Fredericton Express. They all left.

Most hockey fans are in the area are more interested in local hockey - univeristy, junior, midget,etc.

The maritimes have great interest in an NHL team but the only potential city would be Halifax

[StormShaman]

http://newsobserver.com/sports/story/2486968p-2311606c.html

Here's an update--the 'Canes are offering to share the Lock Monsters with the Flames.

[StormShaman]

http://newsobserver.com/sports/story/2486968p-2311606c.html

Here's an update--the 'Canes are offering to share the Lock Monsters with the Flames.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

Does this means the Chiefs (ECHL team) will become the affiliates of the Flames and Canes? That would be cool. There are some good players in Johnstown.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

Does this means the Chiefs (ECHL team) will become the affiliates of the Flames and Canes? That would be cool. There are some good players in Johnstown.

[StormShaman]

Does this means the Chiefs (ECHL team) will become the affiliates of the Flames and Canes? That would be cool. There are some good players in Johnstown.

No, the ECHL affiliateships are separate from the AHL affiliateships--if the Flames accept the Canes' offer (which I think is a bad idea, given the gross inattention paid by this team to the farm system), it will only affect the AHL and not the ECHL.

[StormShaman]

Does this means the Chiefs (ECHL team) will become the affiliates of the Flames and Canes? That would be cool. There are some good players in Johnstown.

No, the ECHL affiliateships are separate from the AHL affiliateships--if the Flames accept the Canes' offer (which I think is a bad idea, given the gross inattention paid by this team to the farm system), it will only affect the AHL and not the ECHL.

[Shell]

No AHL for Flames
Apr. 30, 2003. 09:00 PM

CALGARY (CP) — Just one week after folding their American Hockey League team in Saint John, N.B., the Calgary Flames announced Wednesday they will not have a team in the AHL next season.

The Flames still own the rights to an AHL franchise but will pay a dormancy fee for one season before relocating the farm team.

Flames president Ken King is quoted on the team's Web site as saying the club will likely place prospects with "one or two" other AHL teams next season.

"We have multiple options available to us regarding the development of our prospects," King said in a release.

Saint John had been Calgary's primary development affiliate for the past 10 years.

The club struggled financially the past five years before the Flames folded the team April 22. The small-market Saint John team was unable to generate enough money to pay escalating salaries in American dollars.

The team won the Calder Cup in 2001.

[Tatfever]

I would not want to see the Flames franchise in Lowell next year. More often than not, it does nothing to help the team. We had the Islanders/Kings here one year and the Islanders didn't like the way the players were being played.
Halfway through the season, the Islanders took all there players out of here and put themon different teams in the AHL.
In my opinion, you put two NHL farm teams in one city it is nothing but a disaster.

[Jeff O Rocks]

In my opinion, you put two NHL farm teams in one city it is nothing but a disaster.

This may be a stupid question, but is there enough interest in farm team hockey to keep them both afloat?? :roll:

[Shell]

They would work together as 1 team Mona.. or at least try too.