Could Charlotte Be The New Home Of The Hurricanes’ AHL Affiliate?
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 20, 2010 10:41 PM EST
67 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes are getting a good look at their future this season, shuttling prospects from Raleigh to Albany and back. In the future, the commute could be a lot shorter.
AHL President and CEO Dave Andrews gave his annual state of the league address in Portland, Maine — host of the this year's AHL All-Star festivities — and one of the topics of discussion was the Hurricanes’ desire to have their minor league affiliate closer to Raleigh. The No. 1 choice? It seems to be Charlotte, currently home of the ECHL's Checkers.
Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times-Union reports on what would need to happen — and what it would mean for Albany — for Carolina to house their top prospects in North Carolina, with it boiling down to relocating a current team. For now, the Hurricanes aren't talking — the official word from media relations is "no comment" — but the possibility of having the Canes' top affiliate in the state is an "everybody wins" scenario for all parties (except the people of Albany, though the River Rats wouldn't necessarily, or even probably, be the relocated franchise).
There have also been discussions about a new arena in Charlotte, with the Checkers — or perhaps another hockey team? — as the main tenant.
There are several benefits to having an in-state affiliate: speedier call-ups to the Triangle; easier access for Raleigh-based team management — and Canes fans — to the team and players; and further growth of hockey in the South.
And on that last point, having an AHL affiliate in Charlotte would bridge the gap between the state's two biggest cities. Despite being the "Carolina" Hurricanes, the organization has been Raleigh's team, not the Carolinas' or even the state's. If interest in the AHL team blossomed — and a city as big as Charlotte should have no problem supporting a Triple A-level minor league hockey team — there would be an immediate connection between Charlotte and the Hurricanes, helping to further grow the fan base.
Not only could it expand the number of people interested in the Hurricanes, but it could cultivate youth hockey throughout the state — an effort that has been successful in Raleigh and is critical to the long-term success of Sun Belt hockey.
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Charlotte are you kidding me what about Greensboro ?
We have a great arena here in Greensboro just awaiting a AHL team, and plus tsince we had the Hurricanes for the first couple of seasons our arena is NHL quality and ready to go ? Charlotte please the checkers c’mon even as the ECHL Monarchs and Generals we just to beat those guys.
I believe that the Canes should move their AHL team to Greensboro period !
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Jan 20, 2010 11:26 PM EST reply actions
One more thing ~
People would come to the games as well as long as the Canes marketed the team correctly b/c as a kid I can still remember the ECHL Monarchs and even the AHL Carolina Monarchs got great crowds to come out to the games the short lived generals without major affilation was another story. Greensboro is dying for to get hockey back in this town and we shouldn’t be overlooked by a team that we once hosted here.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Jan 20, 2010 11:29 PM EST up reply actions
I went to a few monarchs games in Greensboro when I was in High School…. was always fun.
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 21, 2010 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
Minor Hockey had been G’boro for something retarded like 20-30 years before the ’Canes showed up I think. It would be great if the ’Canes AHL affiliate was there.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Jan 21, 2010 12:23 PM EST up reply actions
Greensboro is more of an ECHL city than an AHL city. I’m from GSO and I live in Raleigh and GSO would be much easier for going to games, but Charlotte is the more logical choice. Now, if the ECHL Everblades moved to Greensboro, that would be a great idea.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
Couple interesting points there.
The story out of Edwards Mill previously had been that the AHL affiliation was in Albany mainly due to logistical issues for the AHL club itself — a team in New York state or New England has short bus rides to most road games and fewer hotel stays.
If that thinking has changed, either (a) we’re expecting to do more shuttling between the AHL and NHL and need the improved convenience, (b) the perceived marketing benefits to the big club (including TV ratings) of parking the kids in Charlotte or Greensboro outweigh the added operational costs for the AHL team, or © both.
Don’t forget about Norfolk as a possible AHL affiliation either, though the marketing benefits would be lesser since Hampton Roads is Capitals TV territory, which won’t change.
That 17-year-old Hokie sitting in the rafters in Greensboro didn't see any of this coming.
I believe Norfolk is affiliated w/ Tampa Bay….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 21, 2010 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
With our AHL/NHL revolving door policy...
Why not right across the street. I hear Dorton Arena is nice this time of year. Plus, the disaffected Caniacs could simply walk across Trinity Road and see some good hockey for a change.
I used to love going to see the Ice Caps play at Dorton Arena.
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 21, 2010 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
Charlotte AHL, Greensboro ECHL
I know several people who work for the Greensboro Coliseum. The scenario being floated is that the ECHL franchise would move to Greensboro, and Charlotte would get an AHL team.
I hate to disagree with the above poster, but the AHL Monarchs were not a success here financially or otherwise. Attendance dropped off pretty dramatically once they moved up a league and ticket prices also went up.
People from Charlotte have to drive 3+ hours to see a Canes game. They’re just not going to do it. It’s a little over an hour from here in Greensboro, I and hundreds of others happily make the drive.
Establishing an NHL, AHL, ECHL framework in the state is the way to go. Smart move and long overdue.
I would rather see the Columbia team become the echl franchise (yeah, I know they are not there yet). This would also allow the team to become more of a “Carolina” team.
South Carolina really doesn’t count….
The only thing South Carolina is good for is bonding w/ Thrashers fans over how bad we all dislike South Carolina….. :-)
(wow… I’m in a special mood today)
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 21, 2010 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve driven 5 hours just to see a Canes game. I’m sure there are far crazier people who have driven father.
Right on! This would be a great move…hope it happens!
Team Cullen...and I don't mean that vampire twit.
by J'adoreBrind'Amour on Jan 21, 2010 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
Come on Cory
Despite being the “Carolina” Hurricanes, the organization has been Raleigh’s team, not the Carolinas’ or even the state’s…… I make the 2+ hour drive from Wilmington many times during the season for games. I have a friend that has lifetime seats to NCSU football and is a STH every year for basketball. Don’t discount it as Raleigh’s team. The fans are here waiting to be tapped into. A little marketing here would go along way.
Marketing the Hurricanes
I think it makes tremendous sense to have an AHL team in either Charlotte, Greensboro, or Winston-Salem. I also think the Hurricanes could and should improve the marketing of the Hurricanes to Eastern North Carolina as well as west of Raleigh. The entire organization would benefit enormously with 3,000 more season ticket holders. The Hurricanes have the chance of a lifetime to rebuild the team with drafts, trades, and waiver wire. Being able to spend to the cap could potentially shorten the time needed for the Hurricanes to recapture the Stanley Cup.
Winston-Salem seemingly has trouble supporting each permutation of SPHL team that springs up and dies in its market place. Also, no facility large enough for AHL hockey.
Greensboro is a bit close for overlapping markets with ours for an AHL STH base, but ECHL hockey might work there.
Charlotte’s sports market is a bit strained with pro football and basketball there, but there may be room for an AHL team in the sports wallet. I think the Checkers are doing okay at the ECHL level of revenue stream. With the added firepower of AHL talent, they might could make the jump in fan interest.
But, we all may be thinking way too creatively. Maybe it’s just all about us taking the existing Norfolk market.
Hey AD & Elsker
i understand and admit what both of what you both said is true. i kive in W/S and have been to sevr SPHL Games @ the Joel…and sadly even if the last team there ( the Cyclones) had cute topless cheer squad, many of the players weren’t that hot …so my vote if any of us ever eally got one would be…to bring the either the Rats or the Admirals to Charlotte, and say either the Checkers or Florida Everblades to Greensboro…but i’m and old hockey fan who was born and raised in Chicago…what would i know ?? Go Canes !!
If you think you can't, you won't !
Winston-Salem? Hell… Why not throw Fayetteville in the mix? The ’Canes already market to the Military….
I think it would be Charlotte or nothing…. (although I believe they probably owe it to Greensboro)
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 21, 2010 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
There are definitely hockey — and Canes — fans to the west (and east). But when three Panthers (Williams, Peppers, Smith) finish ahead of any Hurricanes in an N&O reader poll of the top pro athletes of the decade, it’s pretty clear there’s work to be done in Raleigh and the rest of the state.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 21, 2010 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
And in other (more shocking) news…. The Bobcats are actually good this year…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 21, 2010 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
This would be wonderful since I live about 15 minutes outside of Charlotte. Though I did live in the Cary area during my middle school years from 2001-2004 where my parents took me to quite a few Canes games and practices and I’ve been enthralled with hockey ever since.
Most of my friends aren’t even aware our state even has an NHL team. Having the AHL team down here would help bring more hockey exposure. c:
After reading through the Brind’amour "C"troversy, I am wondering if this is part of the plan for our old captain. Maybe battle it out some with Chelios while teaching/mentoring younger players who are being shuffled in and out of Raleigh. If he wants to continue playing (and it looks like he has done everything in his power to continue playing) it might not be a bad option.
I had a similar thought. We have older players that are retiring but want to stay in NC. Having the AHL team in NC would give the organization a way to keep those guys “in the system” as coaches/assistants/recruiters and let the guys and their families stay in NC.
I’m wondering how the Org. is gonna come up with jobs for all the Ex-players they seem to want to keep around. Francis, Daniels, Barasso, Wesley, …Brindy, Whitney. End up with more coaches than an NFL team.
by drifterscape on Jan 21, 2010 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
“…having an AHL affiliate in Charlotte would bridge the gap between the state’s two biggest cities. Despite being the “Carolina” Hurricanes, the organization has been Raleigh’s team, not the Carolinas’ or even the state’s."
And that’s the problem with the hockey fans in Raleigh. You people live in a fish bowl and have some sort of elitist attitude about hockey. Last time I checked, hockey has been in the region for about 30+ years. The rest of the Carolinas is not dumb on the sport and the team is not majorly supported by Northern transplants. Stop thinking so myopic about it and people will stop dumping on you people.
The Hurricanes is not just your team. Once you get past that, I’ll be fine.
No one said there aren’t intelligent hockey fans in the rest of the state. But there was a poll done a while back that said something like 18 percent of people in the state didn’t even know the state had a hockey team. There’s work to be done, and having an affiliate in Charlotte would further that cause.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 21, 2010 9:33 AM EST up reply actions
It’s not our fault that Raleigh is better than Charlotte :-)
I’m-Just-Sayin
(I’m also just jerking your chain a little bit)
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 21, 2010 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
FLORIDA EVERBLADES
Will keep everyone up to date on the status of The FLORIDA EVERBLADES and Craig Brush regarding this mater, it has been on the radar for awhile.
EVERBLADES information can be obtained at “BEHIND THE GLASS” in The Naples Daily News.
http://blogs.naplesnews.com/behindtheglass/2010/01/the-truth-behind-all-star-games.html
Michael F. Hornung
Great article…. but…. what did that have to do w/ the farm team moving to Charlotte?
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 21, 2010 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
BEHIND THE GLASS
RE BLADES:
There has been speculation over the last 2 season’s regarding the BLADES and their ability to stay in the ECHL and the financial ability to stay in SW Florida. When the Blades came into the ECHL 11 years ago, there were 5 ECHL Teams in Florida, now the BLADES are the only show in the State.
The fact that this article has now “confirmed” what alot were speculating it will be easier to pose the questions to Craig BRUSH and or the Canes Organization/KARMANOS etc…
This is where BEHIND THE GLASS will come in and get these questions answer…..
Regards,
Michael F. Hornung
I have done quite a bit of traveling this winter to Charlotte for my son’s hockey games and noticed quite a number of Carolina Hurricane stickers, license plates, flags, and other Canes paraphernalia, even more than Panthers or Bobcats. So I believe there is already a good fan base in Charlotte, which would help in marketing the Canes farm team. They also appear to have a good youth hockey program which helps to continue to build the fan base.
it's about time!!!!
I have been calling for this since i don’t know when.
echl in Columbia SC and ahl in charlotte
make it happen JR
my wish also includes
A new TV deal with FS CAROLINAS to show or make available when possible an ALL Carolinas sports channel – state, dook, unc, wake, usc clemson canes, cats and panthers and all others teams that are relevent to South and North Carolinas
Wilmington.....
Come on, give me another reason to go and have fun in Wilmington so that’s where they AHL affiliate should move.
The name should change though, to the AHL Wilmington Coed Chasers.
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
Expanding the footprint...
This news is music to my ears, and I have fingers crossed that it comes to fruition. As a fan I would love to be a short road trip away from being able to check out future Canes prospects.
I agree with Elsker that this probably makes too much sense to ever actually happen. And I also think that Charlotte would be a better AHL destination, with Greensboro being a better fit for an ECHL franchise. Greensboro struggled with the jump from ECHL to AHL. There is indeed a strong hockey fanbase in Greensboro, but I think that base is a bit small to support an AHL club, and having lived in Greensboro for a good chunk of time, and grown up near there, I don’t think there is enough casual fan interest to support a team on the AHL level.
Charlotte is a bigger city with a bigger possible fan base for the casual fan. I have no direct evidence or experience with the market, outside of going to one Checkers game when I was in college, to know how big the core hockey fanbase is or would be. But the city seems, from a demographic perspective, to be a better fit for the AHL. (Has Charlotte ever had an AHL affiliate in the past? I have no idea)
All that said, Greensboro definitely deserves at least an ECHL team. My memories of going to Generals and Monarchs games in high school and college are very fond ones.
And I have said before, I think this franchise needs to do a much better job of marketing itself outside of it’s triangle base. Having it’s AHL affiliate in-state, wherever it might end up, would go a long way towards helping that situation. I have talked to folks at games who have traveled from Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston, Greenville, Wilmington and beyond our state’s borders to see NHL hockey. They might be relatively few in number, but they are big on passion. I think we need as many converts from as large a geographical footprint as possible to thrive as a “small market” franchise.
Just my two cents,
-m
Well…one piece of the puzzle appears to be falling into place.
It would be soooo sweet to have our AHL team within the state, where their fans could follow players up to the NHL and we could get live sneak peeks at future Canes.
Easy movement of players via train or auto, avoiding airport scheduling hiccups and hassles. Easy travel for management to monitor the incubating talent.
Just makes so much sense it’s hard to believe it could come out of this mom-and-pop business. :-D
Official wording for those interested:
ice_chip Canes will have AHL team in Charlotte next year. No official confirmation yet but it’s a go.
less than a minute ago from web
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
For me personally, I don’t necessarily trust Chip to explain why certain line combinations show up during practice or why a player is wearing a different number on his helmet. But for something like this, as a member of the “traditional” media, I’d expect him to have a pretty solid degree of confidence about it before he posted.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
If he gets this right, his credibility on off-ice ops goes way up in my book. There are a lot of moving parts here that have to all fit into place.
Looking at attendance numbers and ownership situations, if I had to put $1 down on the franchise we’re theoretically taking over, it would be the Rockford IceHogs. Low attendance, owned by their home arena that had to tap a municipal emergency credit line last year. They supposedly have a 10-year deal with the Blackhawks to operate the club that started in ’08, but unless the Hawks are taking all the losses, I would think the municipal government would be obliged to consider selling the franchise and letting JR and Dale Talon work out the affiliation swap details.
That 17-year-old Hokie sitting in the rafters in Greensboro didn't see any of this coming.
good insight Josh. I’m curious to see how it shakes out.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 21, 2010 10:36 PM EST up reply actions
on Canes Now, Chip is less definitive:
Although no official confirmation has been made, it’s expected the Canes will have their American Hockey League affiliate in Charlotte next season.
The Canes have been affiliated with the Albany River Rats for the last four years but are in the last year of that arrangement. Hurricanes management in the past has expressed a desire to have an AHL team closer to Raleigh and in North Carolina, if possible
"It’s expected" in my opinion, is not the same as a “it’s a go”. We will see what happens.
This is his latest on the matter, posted at 17:42 today.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Looks like Charlotte may be excited about this as well
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/checkers/story/1196447.html
People already signing up for season tickets. And from here in columbia, sc I would be up for an easy ten to twenty games a year as well.
BLADES/BEHIND THE GLASS
Hope eveyone remembers that Chad LAROSE got his break while playing for the Blades, he got through some tough legal issues and progressed to “THE SHOW”.
Here is another BLADES alum scoring this ’beautiful goal".
MFH
Report: River Rats sold, will move to Charlotte
From the Albany TImes-Union
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=892117
I feel bad for the Albany fans.
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