Abbotsford Heat hockey team president Ryan Walter dismissed reports on Sunday that the American Hockey League Flames affiliate is on the move to Utica, N.Y.
Photograph by: File photo , Abbotsford Times
Abbotsford Heat president Ryan Walter on Sunday dismissed reports the American Hockey League team is on the move.
Following published stories the money-losing Heat will go to Utica, N.Y., Walter said no one from the Calgary Flames organization has talked to him about a relocation of the affiliate team.
"From my perspective and the team's perspective we don't have a comment at this point," Walter said of the story in the Utica Observer-Dispatch that the Heat franchise would get a new home in Utica.
Abbotsford rolled out the carpet for the Flames' farm team in 2009-10.
Home games are played in the 7,046 seat Abbotsford arena, where game attendance has been chronically low.
In the last eight years, the team has had stints in Omaha, Neb. and the Quad Cities in Illinois.
This season the Heat has had the fifth-lowest attendance in the AHL.
Walter said any relocation negotiations would happen through the Flames office.
"We have not been kept in the loop at this level," said Walter.
"It is business as usual."
The Flames issued a statement Sunday shooting down the rumoured move.
"We have been approached by representatives in Utica concerning an opportunity for the AHL. We understand they are building a case for the AHL to return there.
We are under contract and committed to Abbotsford, and have made no alternate commitments."
Utica Observer-Dispatch sports editor Matthew Becker said the city's politicians have been fighting hard for an AHL team.
"It is something Utica has wanted for some time," he said Sunday.
But Becker added that nothing has been officially signed.
"The mayor is knee-deep in the negotiations. and there is nothing definite yet," he said.
"It is still in talks. We are not at the stage where a team is officially coming to Utica."
Becker did say the city had been negotiating with other franchises.
"No one is ready to say this is a done deal," he said.
Utica last had an AHL team in the 1992-93 season, the final year of a six-season affiliation with the New Jersey Devils.
According to the Utica news report, a firm from Albany will help manage the franchise.
Public money is being sought if the franchise moves.
The Utica Memorial Auditorium will also get an upgrade, with skyboxes planned for the 54-year-old arena.
