Flames AHL affiliate coming to Omaha!!!

No official announcement, but you heard it hear first. It will happen, the team will play in the Omaha Civic Auditorium not Qwest Center Omaha (where the Univ. of Nebraska Omaha NCAA Div. I hockey team plays.) See link for more details.

http://www.mavpuck.com/msgboard/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4522&FORUM_ID=10&CAT_ID=1&Topic_Title=Minor+League+Hockey+Coming+To+Omaha&Forum_Title=MavPuck%2Ecom+General+Discussion

Any official source to this info (not a message board)?

This was part of a Bill Ballou story in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette on November 11th:

The AHL plans to max out at 30 teams and there are 29 spoken for already, counting Des Moines, which comes in next year. The one dormant franchise, the former Saint John Flames, is committed for next season, said league president Dave Andrews. The thinking is that that franchise will wind up in Omaha, Neb.
the original article from the T&G is also referenced here:
http://pennlive.com/sports/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1100341290310191.xml

Interesting news....and about time too. Now the Flames can sign some of their European prospects and bring them over next fall....and it will be nice to have a AHL afiliation with a team that isin't on the other side of the continent.

Brilliant. Lets move the AHL to Nebraska. Really, what is wrong with the people who run hockey?

Too bad the AHL isn't what it used to be when there were teams in the Saint John/St. Johns, Sherbrooke, Adirondack, Moncton, Nova Scotia.

Those were the days :shakehead

Brilliant. Lets move the AHL to Nebraska. Really, what is wrong with the people who run hockey?

Too bad the AHL isn't what it used to be when there were teams in the Saint John/St. Johns, Sherbrooke, Adirondack, Moncton, Nova Scotia.

Those were the days :shakehead

Just because Roby didn't like playing there doesn't mean it can't be a viable AHL market. :D


I have no problem with this. From an NHL standpoint it probably behooves them to de-easternify the AHL a bit considering all the NHL teams out west that would probably like to have their affiliates a bit closer.

Brilliant. Lets move the AHL to Nebraska. Really, what is wrong with the people who run hockey?

The only reason why they would consider that is because they see it as a profitable location.

I still think it sucks.

Come on guys, they've got beautiful lakes in Nebraska.

So are they gonna be called the Icebreakers, Chiefs or Superchiefs?

I still think it sucks.

Why? If the fan support develops it can't be anything but good for the sport.

I didn't realize people in Nebraska even knew what hockey was.

Jed Ortmeyer is from Nebraska.

I didn't realize people in Nebraska even knew what hockey was.

The Omaha Lancers are there and there have been a few AHLers and NHLers who have come through there (off the top of my head, Bryce Lampman of the Wolfpack but I know there are more). There have been atleast two NHL players from Nebraska, Jed Ortmeyer and one other whose name is slipping my mind at the moment.

The Mavericks program is slowly coming along in terms of college hockey. They are in the top 20 according to INCH.

Brilliant. Lets move the AHL to Nebraska. Really, what is wrong with the people who run hockey?

Too bad the AHL isn't what it used to be when there were teams in the Saint John/St. Johns, Sherbrooke, Adirondack, Moncton, Nova Scotia.

Those were the days :shakehead

As Stich mentioned because it could be profitable.

Yes, people in Nebraska DO know hockey and I can tell you from the support that the Mavericks hockey team gets, it's not hard to see why the AHL is giving it serious consideration. In their six regular season home games thus far, the announced attendance has averaged just over 4,800 per game. In this past weekend's series versus Bowling Green, both weekend games attracted over 5,000 each night.

As Stich mentioned because it could be profitable.

Yes, people in Nebraska DO know hockey and I can tell you from the support that the Mavericks hockey team gets, it's not hard to see why the AHL is giving it serious consideration. In their six regular season home games thus far, the announced attendance has averaged just over 4,800 per game. In this past weekend's series versus Bowling Green, both weekend games attracted over 5,000 each night.

What's the capacity for the building they play in?


It's great that Neb-Omaha draws but you could make this kind of argument to justify putting an NHL team in Manchester or Wilkes-Barre. Cause doesn't necessarily lead to effect.

What's the capacity for the building they play in?


It's great that Neb-Omaha draws but you could make this kind of argument to justify putting an NHL team in Manchester or Wilkes-Barre. Cause doesn't necessarily lead to effect.

The Qwest Center Omaha is one of the largest buildings in NCAA hockey, it's capacity is around 14,000. Now granted, the Mavs aren't exactly selling out the QCO but if their attracting 5,000+ on a given game night, that's very good for NCAA hockey. Wisconsin's Kohl Center, UND's Ralph Engelstad Arena and Minnesota's Maruicci Arena usually can draw about 10,000 fans to their rinks, depending on who the opposition is. The Kohl Center has roughly the same capacity as the QCO but the Badgers either sell out or darn near sellout their building for pretty much all of their games.

The Omaha Civic Center, if I recall correctly is a smaller (capacity-wise) facility.

The Qwest Center Omaha is one of the largest buildings in NCAA hockey, it's capacity is around 14,000. Now granted, the Mavs aren't exactly selling out the QCO but if their attracting 5,000+ on a given game night, that's very good for NCAA hockey. Wisconsin's Kohl Center, UND's Ralph Engelstad Arena and Minnesota's Maruicci Arena usually can draw about 10,000 fans to their rinks, depending on who the opposition is. The Kohl Center has roughly the same capacity as the QCO but the Badgers either sell out or darn near sellout their building for pretty much all of their games.


grazie

You're welcome. Hopefully, these same fans who come out to support the Mavs and the Lancers will also jump on board with the new AHL franchise (should it come to be). It'll give more exposure to the AHL and perhaps get more people interested in the NHL.

The Omaha Lancers are there and there have been a few AHLers and NHLers who have come through there (off the top of my head, Bryce Lampman of the Wolfpack but I know there are more). There have been atleast two NHL players from Nebraska, Jed Ortmeyer and one other whose name is slipping my mind at the moment.

The Mavericks program is slowly coming along in terms of college hockey. They are in the top 20 according to INCH.
Sarcasm. Catch it!

Sarcasm. Catch it!

I know I know. Long day at work!

During the Rangers draft day party, Kasparitus and Ortmeyer where on stage together and basically Kasparitus was saying that Ortmeyer would have been drafted if he didn't come from the "country of Nebraska" and he was wondering where that "country" was.

Wait, what team is moving to DM Iowa?

Wait, what team is moving to DM Iowa?

Des Moines is getting a new team, the Iowa Stars, affiliate of Dallas.

Brilliant. Lets move the AHL to Nebraska. Really, what is wrong with the people who run hockey?

Too bad the AHL isn't what it used to be when there were teams in the Saint John/St. Johns, Sherbrooke, Adirondack, Moncton, Nova Scotia.

Those were the days :shakehead

Tell me about it :cry:

Professional hockey in Nebraska...we'll see.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=38&u_sid=1259844

Published Tuesday
November 16, 2004

Omaha is set to land NHL farm team

Omaha is on the verge of landing an American Hockey League franchise that would play 41 games a year at the Civic Auditorium beginning with the 2005-06 season.

The National Hockey League's Calgary Flames will move their AHL franchise from St. John, New Brunswick, to Omaha, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"From what I understand, it's a done deal," said the person, who is prominent in the Omaha hockey community.

Omaha, somewhere in middle america........

I didn't realize people in Nebraska even knew what hockey was.

What do you think people said when the NHL decided to put a team in Missouri in 1967? Or souther California? Or when a team moved to Dallas?

What do you think people said when the NHL decided to put a team in Missouri in 1967? Or souther California? Or when a team moved to Dallas?
Man, people really aren't keen on sarcasm around these parts.

Omaha is a great midwestern town...Qwest Center is a very impressive facility that would make many NHL rinks blush (although its not quite that size). Downtown Omaha has gone through a major rebirth lately and imo its the perfect market for the AHL. A metropolitan area of 800,000 is a significant size (and growth is brisk as it is in the smaller Des Moines), the arena is state-of-the-art and located downtown, and Omaha is a 'void' city that while not quite big enough for prime-time sports, defenitely has growth potential at the AAA level.

Plus, you should get a great built-in rivalry with Des Moines and Omaha both joining the league for next season. I'm definitely going to be making some roadtrips up north for those games. Closer than St. Louis or Denver at a fraction of the price for some good hockey.

EDIT: Caught that they would be playing at the Civic Center...wonder why they are playing there and not at the Qwest? Guess they needed a tenant.

Maybe playing at the CC will keep ticket prices down to the $16 to $19 range for the main bowl.

You guys clearly don't know anything about Omaha.

That's okay... I'll tell you something about us.

We are a metropolitan area of over 800,000... with 1.2 million within a 50 mile radius. We are home to 5 Fortune 500 headquarters and the world's second wealthiest man Warren Buffett. Want to learn more... click here (http://www.eomaha.com).

As for hockey.. University of Nebraska Omaha's NCAA D1 Maverick hockey team has one of the top 10 highest collegiate hockey attendance averages in the nation (in spite of the team struggling badly lately). The Omaha USHL Lancer hockey franchise was recently acquired by a group which included Mario Lemieux... and is one of the nations most successful such programs. Omaha has a long history of PAST minor league hockey history with it's Knights franchise which was represented by many greats including Gordie Howe. Omahans know... and love hockey. An AHL franchise here will be very well supported.

A few visual aids... :)

http://www.eomaha.com/skyline/pic5.jpg

Qwest Center arena... where the NCAA Mavericks play

http://www.eomaha.com/gallery/buildings/58/cc/pic11.jpg

Mavericks playing the Michigan Wolverines

http://www.eomaha.com/gallery/hockey/2003/pic1.jpg

Civic Auditorium Arena, where a AHL franchise will apparently play

http://www.eomaha.com/gallery/buildings/33/pic1.jpg

Inside the Civic

http://www.eomaha.com/gallery/hockey/2002/pic4.jpg

The USHL Lancers play at the Mid America Center just across the river from downtown Omaha

http://www.lancers.com/graphics/photos/arena01.jpg

http://www.lancers.com/graphics/photos/arena02.jpg



I must say though... I would like to see the AHL playing at the Qwest Center rather than the Civic. Although it wouldn't surprise me if the attendance wasn't significantly more than what the Mavericks are drawing. Omaha has always been a big collegiate sports town... from being host to the College World Series for over 50 years... to the Creighton Bluejays in basketball.

I know I will be going to both teams games.

I'd be happy to see an AHL franchise in Omaha, it's a nice town, I've been there and I liked it alot and have actual plans of moving there in the future sometime and then it'd be nice to have an AHL team in town. :) The only thing that surprises me is that they'll be playing in the old arena and not Qwest Center, I find that a bit strange, but it's not a done deal yet anyway I guess.

Kind of interesting too that they used to have the farm team of the Atlanta Flames in Omaha back in the days (the Omaha Knights), and now might get the relocated Flames new farm team again. And even hockey greats such as Gordie Howe has played for them so there is at least some hockey history in town as well.

My question is, how much hockey can Omaha handle? As I do think Omaha is a great city, they ALREADY have a USHL team and D-I NCAA team. I think if anything, their USHL should move east to Michigan or Wisconson.

Actually the Lancers had about 10 former players that played in the NHL last season including Jed Ortmeyer (Rangers), Ryan Malone (Penguins), Joe Corvo (Kings), Dan Ellis (Stars), etc. I'm also wondering how many teams Omaha can handle. As a long time season ticket holder for the Lancers, I would hate to see them have to move after their long history in this city. Hopefully something can be worked out schedule wise between all the teams. Maybe one team is on the road (alternate) or one team plays more week night games, so that all 3 teams aren't competing at the same time. I really hope all can succeed. It's exciting to get an AHL team here, but at the same time I don't want other teams to suffer either. The city is not big enough as say Chicago or Denver where they have say the Chicago Wolves, Chicago Steel, Freeze, Blackhawks, etc. I just have doubts about whether they can all be supported.

As loath as I am to give the bugeaters credit for anything, they're an underated hockey market. They're in a triangle between Minnesota, Illinois, St. Louis and Colorado so there is some spill over.

Besides it's the AHL franchises hop arround more in the minors. I do think it's a shame the Martimes are losing teams though.

With the Cornhuskers in a death spiral there's going to be nothing else to do.

My question is, how much hockey can Omaha handle? As I do think Omaha is a great city, they ALREADY have a USHL team and D-I NCAA team. I think if anything, their USHL should move east to Michigan or Wisconson.


I'm not positive about this but I believe there's at least some movement to bring a USHL team here to Champaign-Urbana, IL. For what it's worth the club hockey team sells out (~5000) not infrequently. That doesn't mean the USHL would do well but hey, I'd go so that's really all that matters.

I'm not positive about this but I believe there's at least some movement to bring a USHL team here to Champaign-Urbana, IL. For what it's worth the club hockey team sells out (~5000) not infrequently. That doesn't mean the USHL would do well but hey, I'd go so that's really all that matters.

I heard initially that the Danville Wings were supposed to move to Champaign. But they moved to Indiana, hence the new Indiana Ice.

As for U of I's club team selling out, unless they recently got a new rink, I find it very hard to believe they get 5000 people watching their games. I don't think its even possible to fit so many people in such a small (yet wide) rink.

I'm not positive about this but I believe there's at least some movement to bring a USHL team here to Champaign-Urbana, IL. For what it's worth the club hockey team sells out (~5000) not infrequently. That doesn't mean the USHL would do well but hey, I'd go so that's really all that matters.

sweeeeeeeeeet.

We almost always sell out our collegiate hockey games, but thats mostly due to the fact that heckling the other team is encouraged :D

I didn't realize people in Nebraska even knew what hockey was.


Actually they have a relatively successful hockey program. They're not Michigan, Maine, Boston College or North Dakota but all things considered, it is a good program

UNO started in 97, they were ranked earlier this year, so not bad for a start up.

Omaha does have this bit of hockey historyReg, Reg, that reminds me. I was coachin' in Omaha in 1948 and Eddie Shore sends me this guy who was a terrible masturbator. He would get deliberate penalties so he could get over in the penalty box all by himself and damned if he wouldn't . . .

I'm an Omaha native. This is a great city and many people tend to overlook us and think there's nothing out here in the midwest but a bunch of cornfields and cows. Omaha is a thriving, growing metropolitan city. I'm sure we can make room for another hockey team here. I am VERY excited about this!!! :handclap:

Carp! Now why didn't the smiley show up??? :P

Okay, fixed it! :)

I don't know if anyone else posted this Sports Illustrated link but it is titled "Flames eye Omaha as farm team location" from earlier this week:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/hockey/nhl/11/16/bc.hko.omaha.prohockey.ap/index.html

Carp! Now why didn't the smiley show up??? :P

Okay, fixed it! :)

Welcome to the board, Future Mrs. Petey21. That is quite the handle. :)
I have seen Petey21 around the boards for several years and had heard of a mythical fiance in Omaha, Nebraska. Good to know that you do in fact excist!
I have more than a few connections to Omaha and am delighted to hear an AHL team may be coming to your town.

I don't know if anyone else posted this Sports Illustrated link but it is titled "Flames eye Omaha as farm team location" from earlier this week:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/hockey/nhl/11/16/bc.hko.omaha.prohockey.ap/index.html

Thanks for posting that link. Saw it the other day but forgot to post it. :blush:

Welcome to the board, Future Mrs. Petey21. That is quite the handle. :)
I have seen Petey21 around the boards for several years and had heard of a mythical fiance in Omaha, Nebraska. Good to know that you do in fact excist!
I have more than a few connections to Omaha and am delighted to hear an AHL team may be coming to your town.


Hi bling! Thanks for the warm welcome! ;)

I've been around a few boards myself, but I tend to use different names wherever I go...so actually we KNOW each other already! lol. I'm Trocadero (the Brigley fanatic) from the Avs board. :D I was surfing for info about the AHL team coming here, and I saw Petey21 on this thread and thought it was high time I joined the party...and decided to reveal my REAL self. lol.

Funny though...I didn't know he was talking about me all these years. A lot of people I've talked to over the years think I have some mythical fiance in Sweden too! :lol

We met online almost 6 years ago, and we've been engaged for over 4 years. :)

So, tell me more about your connections to the "big O".

Oops...make that the "official" Avs board...(not the Avs board here.) But I guess I should go visit that place soon too? ;)

As loath as I am to give the bugeaters credit for anything, they're an underated hockey market. They're in a triangle between Minnesota, Illinois, St. Louis and Colorado so there is some spill over.

Besides it's the AHL franchises hop arround more in the minors. I do think it's a shame the Martimes are losing teams though.

With the Cornhuskers in a death spiral there's going to be nothing else to do.

The Flames are already missed here in the Maritimes, as the team has been dormant since last season. Saint John is currently in the process of landing a Major Junior team, which, if it happens, should fit in well with the community. Back in the days, we had AHL franchises in Fredericton NB, Moncton NB, Saint John NB, Sydney NS, Charlottetown PEI and St. John's NF... all those teams are gone save the St. John's squad, who have already announced this is their final season and they are also vying for a Junior team. If it all happens, there will be Quebec Major Junior teams in Moncton NB, Bathurst NB, Saint John NB, Sydney NS, Halifax NS, Charlottetown PEI and St. John's NF. CLearly the sun has set on professional hockey here, but with the number of junior teams here it provides for rivalries like the old days of the AHL - just minus the skill level.

RIP Saint John Flames - congrats to Omaha!

The Flames are already missed here in the Maritimes, as the team has been dormant since last season. Saint John is currently in the process of landing a Major Junior team, which, if it happens, should fit in well with the community. Back in the days, we had AHL franchises in Fredericton NB, Moncton NB, Saint John NB, Sydney NS, Charlottetown PEI and St. John's NF... all those teams are gone save the St. John's squad, who have already announced this is their final season and they are also vying for a Junior team. If it all happens, there will be Quebec Major Junior teams in Moncton NB, Bathurst NB, Saint John NB, Sydney NS, Halifax NS, Charlottetown PEI and St. John's NF. CLearly the sun has set on professional hockey here, but with the number of junior teams here it provides for rivalries like the old days of the AHL - just minus the skill level.

RIP Saint John Flames - congrats to Omaha!Why the lack of support in the Maritimes? I don't know much about that region of Canada. I would assume they are just as hockey-mad as the rest of the country. Have the economics in the area been bad over the decades? A significantly less affluent populace that can't afford to support the teams? Lack of corporate sponsorship? A snobbish fan base that feels they deserve more than an AHL team (wasn't that partly the case with Quebec Citadels?) Etc, etc....

Why the lack of support in the Maritimes? I don't know much about that region of Canada. I would assume they are just as hockey-mad as the rest of the country. Have the economics in the area been bad over the decades? A significantly less affluent populace that can't afford to support the teams? Lack of corporate sponsorship? A snobbish fan base that feels they deserve more than an AHL team (wasn't that partly the case with Quebec Citadels?) Etc, etc....

Believe me, Atlantic Canadians love hockey... but... when the big wigs figured that the AHL could be a money making venture (and not simply a developmental league) that was the end of AHL hockey in Atlantic Canada... cities like Charlottetown, Fredericton, Moncton, and Sydney couldn't compete with some of the current AHL american cities... nothing to do with lack of support really, but for instance the arena in Saint John (Harbour Station) where the Flames played until 2003 holds just over 6100... the AVERAGE for the AHL right now is 5510... not much leeway, especially if your team sucks and lacks support from the parent team (can you detect the bitterness? lol).

well at least Lowell will have just one team they are affiliated with now after next season(Carolina) its gotta be tough to juggle 2 teams worth of prospects.
Omaha thou. umm interesting choice.

Come on guys, they've got beautiful lakes in Nebraska.

So are they gonna be called the Icebreakers, Chiefs or Superchiefs?

AAHAHAHAHA

Slap Shot 2 sucked but nice reference :lol