When LA Kings president Luc Robitaille invited executives from the NHL’s western-based teams to successive meetings in Denver and Vancouver, he had an AHL goal in mind.
“We all had clubs out west, but all of our AHL affiliates were out east,” said Seattle Kraken assistant GM Rick Olczyk, who was then with the Edmonton Oilers. “It added cost and travel and it took away from the development and accessibility of our players.”
https://www.gophnx.com/2022/12/14/seattle-kraken-agm-rick-olczyk-joins-the-show-to-discuss-the-teams-success-and-the-opening-of-its-new-ahl-building-in-coachella-valley/
In 2014, the Calgary Flames affiliate was in Glen Falls, New York; the Edmonton Oilers’ affiliate was in Oklahoma City; the Vancouver Canucks’ affiliate was in Utica, New York; the San José Sharks’ affiliate was in Worcester, Massachusetts; the Colorado Avalanche’s affiliate was in Cleveland; the Anaheim Ducks’ affiliate was in Norfolk, Virginia; the Kings’ affiliate was in Manchester, New Hampshire; and the Coyotes’ affiliate was in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The arrangement created myriad issues. When a player got called up to the NHL club after an injury to another NHL player, he often had to fly across the continent and would either arrive exhausted for the next game, or not even make it in time for that next game, leaving teams shorthanded.
The lack of proximity also made it harder for NHL teams to coordinate organization-wide coaching and training systems, and it made it harder for scouts and GMs to keep tabs on their AHL prospects.
On Jan. 29, 2015, the AHL Board of Governors approved the Pacific Division’s formation, which began with just five teams.
There could be more tweaks ahead, including the possibility of Pacific Division teams playing only within their division to further reduce travel. Playing a balanced schedule and facing opponents outside of the division is not important in the AHL. Again, it’s a development league. With nine opponents and 72 games, the schedule would work perfectly for the Pacific. Each team would play each of its division opponents eight times; four at home, four on the road. “It’s still a business first and foremost but with the amount of games we’re playing, we’re not cheating the fans,” said Olczyk, who would not comment specifically on the possibility of shifting to a division-only schedule. “We’re playing plenty of games, the fans get plenty of entertainment and we get involved in the community. All those types of things are all beneficial for everybody, but remember, this still is still about the players. Develop, develop, develop. That’s the key.” Making the AHL’s Pacific Division happen was a major ordeal. In the Roadrunners’ case, it meant major renovations to Tucson Arena. In the case of the Silver Knights and Firebirds, it meant building brand new arenas. The Firebirds had to play their first 22 games on the road before Acrisure Arena was ready to open today. “This has been a long time coming, with a lot of tears, a lot of sweat and a lot of uncertainty,” said Olczyk, whose team was originally slated to build on a 16-acre site owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians before COVID-19 scrapped those plans. “It’s a credit to our coaching staff, to our trainers, to our players and their families for their understanding and support during this long wait, but I think it has been worth it.”
- The Flames were allowed to relocate the AHL franchise that they owned from Glens Falls to Stockton, California (it is now in Calgary).
- The Oilers were allowed to relocate the AHL franchise that they owned from Oklahoma City to Bakersfield, California.
- The Kings were allowed to relocate the AHL franchise that they owned from Manchester to Ontario, California.
- The Sharks were allowed to relocate the AHL franchise that they owned from Worcester to San José.
- The Ducks were allowed to purchase the Norfolk Admirals and relocate them to San Diego
The Coachella Valley Firebirds will host the Tucson Roadrunners in the first AHL game at Acrisure Arena on Sunday night. (USA TODAY Sports).
There could be more tweaks ahead, including the possibility of Pacific Division teams playing only within their division to further reduce travel. Playing a balanced schedule and facing opponents outside of the division is not important in the AHL. Again, it’s a development league. With nine opponents and 72 games, the schedule would work perfectly for the Pacific. Each team would play each of its division opponents eight times; four at home, four on the road. “It’s still a business first and foremost but with the amount of games we’re playing, we’re not cheating the fans,” said Olczyk, who would not comment specifically on the possibility of shifting to a division-only schedule. “We’re playing plenty of games, the fans get plenty of entertainment and we get involved in the community. All those types of things are all beneficial for everybody, but remember, this still is still about the players. Develop, develop, develop. That’s the key.” Making the AHL’s Pacific Division happen was a major ordeal. In the Roadrunners’ case, it meant major renovations to Tucson Arena. In the case of the Silver Knights and Firebirds, it meant building brand new arenas. The Firebirds had to play their first 22 games on the road before Acrisure Arena was ready to open today. “This has been a long time coming, with a lot of tears, a lot of sweat and a lot of uncertainty,” said Olczyk, whose team was originally slated to build on a 16-acre site owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians before COVID-19 scrapped those plans. “It’s a credit to our coaching staff, to our trainers, to our players and their families for their understanding and support during this long wait, but I think it has been worth it.”
Top photo: Oakview Group COO Steve Collins cuts the ribbon on Acrisure Arena, home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, in Palm Desert, Calif. on Dec. 14, 2022. To his right are the Doobie Brothers. To his left are Kraken executives Tim and Tod Leiweke. (USA TODAY Sports)
0 Comments (2 conversations)
Bill Brasky II
Wasn’t it Dave Tippett’s idea for Seattle to have an AHL team in the Palm Springs area while he was working for the still-to-be-named Kraken — and after he and the Yotes parted ways?
It was indeed.
AZsports21
Great article about the hard working players. If we could get Ritchie consistently in that group, it could be fun. 1 question, why do the Phoenix tv stations rarely say anything about Coyotes but go on ad nauseum about the dreadful Cardinals and other teams? Did some event or person cause a rift in the past? Report is deep and factual. Keep up great work.