From an ECHL press release:
ECHL Board of Governors announces major moves
PRINCETON, N.J. – The following items were approved by the Board at the Mid-season Board of Governors Meeting, held in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the 2015 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic presented by Visit Orlando.
Transfer of Controlling Interest in Stockton
The Board of Governors approved the Transfer of Controlling Interest in the Stockton Thunder Membership from SC Hockey Franchise Corporation, an entity controlled by Brad Rowbotham, to Adirondack Flames Canada Limited, an entity controlled by the Calgary Flames Limited Partnership.
“Brad has been a passionate owner and an active member of our Board. We wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors” ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna said. “We welcome the Flames ownership group to our League as they add an ECHL team to their impressive list of teams at various levels.”
Transfer of Home Territory for Bakersfield, Ontario and Stockton
The Board of Governors approved the Transfer of Home Territory from Bakersfield, Calif. to Norfolk, Va.; the Home Territory from Ontario, Calif. to Manchester, N.H. and the Home Territory from Stockton, Calif. to Glens Falls, N.Y. The teams will begin play in their new cities in the 2015-16 season.
“These transfers represent a major move by the ECHL and a significant transformation of the minor league hockey landscape,” McKenna said. “While we are exiting some strong, traditional ECHL markets in California, the move is in the best, long-term interest of hockey and will allow for better alignment in the development system.”
Las Vegas voluntarily withdraws Membership
The Las Vegas Wranglers have voluntarily withdrawn from Membership in the ECHL. The Wranglers were under a Voluntary Suspension for the 2014-15 season but were unable to find a location to play for the 2015-16 season and beyond.
“We are disappointed that the Wranglers will not play in the 2015-16 season,” McKenna said. “The team had developed a strong following over the past decade at the Orleans Arena, which is an outstanding facility. We would like to thank the fans for their support and thank Gary Jacobs for his efforts on behalf of the Wranglers and the ECHL.”
Las Vegas is now an open territory.
Cap on Memberships
The Board of Governors approved a cap on the number of ECHL Memberships at 30. The League currently operates with 28 teams in the United States and Canada.
Comments
Did not see anything about moving an ECHL team into Worcester and/or Oklahoma city. Sounds like Vegas looking for AHL or NHL. That vacuum will be filled. Very Important announcement..."Cannonball"!.. yeah right. Mostly info we already knew. Any speculating on Arizona moving AHL team from Portland? Still a lot of shuffling to do.
Just though of something else. If it was such a problem for the west cost teams in the NHL to get a player in time from the AHL. Is the AHL team going to get players faster, when needed, from the ECHL? Watch the AHL west coast teams start changing (moving eventually) their ECHL teams closer also.
Yes, that will happen very soon. Very soon.
So I'm assuming that Worcester and Oklahoma City will still be in the AHL, just had their affiliations stripped from them. Well, somewhere along the line they'll have to be affiliated. So there is more news to come.
I have a hunch Portland moves to Vegas. I dont think Tims Toyota Center would work. Not enough demand to have your minor league team on the outskirts of town. The CHL Arizona team struggled with attendence. No idea with Worcester and OK city. Hope its happens but probably more time needed. Would have liked to have seen veteren status raised to at least 5 players or raise the number of games required.
So the guy who drove to Wheeling just to see his new team play doesn't even get to play.
Add Meurs, add Schrock, delete Higgs. Geesh!
There's been talk on NHL radio that Las Vegas could get an NHL team.
I am tired of seeing this team falter. It is a smoke and mirrors there is no leadership no one to dig deep. We have a guy we pay a high dollar amount to lead our team. Where was he tonight? Playing 5 shifts contributing nothing. Sol is terrible. You see when other team has some size he wants nothing to do with physicality. New guy fights twice to get the team going.. Let me say it again new guy fights twice to get something going, but wait we pay people how much to lead. What a joke out in first round. Let's play to our potential we have a awful power play our defense is miserable and we leave our goalie out to dry.. On offense we would rather make a pretty pass then get the puck on net. It's about time for some changes.. All the neigh Sayers can say what you will but we can only beat eville and Indy others have our number or are getting it quickly.. Someone do something it's a business not a political race
I agree with you anonymous, but, you might as well get used to Schrock until he is ready to quit. He's Gary's buddy. I think this league is nothing but a joke! Our goalie is in Grand Rapids not a Toledo goalie. Seems fishy to me. Then the AHL/ NHL comes in and decides that our western franchises are moving to the AHL. Not to mention the AHL forcing the sale of Norfolk! How would the Frankes like it if one of those leagues forced them to sell?? I would love to see that! Then our GM allows us to play with 5 d-men last night. REALLY? What are they thinking. Thanks to our Affiliate in Lake Erie for that one. How many D-men do they need? Just like Anaheim, they dont give a hoot about us. Oh I forgot, they have blessed us with the Meurs! What a crock. Well we are down to 4th overall in the standins and sinking fast. First round playoff exit for sure!