Ice Bats Become Stars' Affilate

I always figured there were already an affiliate to some team.

I've never been to a game so I just might make it out to one this year.

 

They were an affiliate, until last year, of another team. This changed last season when the parent team made an affiliation change. The parent club still stocked the team with a few players.

Any guess who the parent team was?

This is more than an affiliation change though. They are actually changing leagues (kind of like a baseball team moving from A up to AAA) Only the name will be the same -- it's unlikely that any of the players will make the cut (unless they keep one or two for nostalgia purposes.)

It will be kind of cool. San Antonio this season lost (dumped) the Iguanas, and gained an AHL (American Hockey League) team (the Rampage). Three AHL teams, the hockey equivalent of an AAA baseball club, will be in Texas -- Austin, San Antonio, and Houston.

Another piece of hockey trivia, After Michigan, which state has the most professional hockey teams?

 

My guess is that it's some warm weather state like California or Arizona

 

The Aeros made it to the Conference Championships last seson (Final four) and were beaten by Chicago, who went on to win the league championship. The team has probably gotten stronger this season. Minnesota (The parent club) is the Astros of the NHL, and wants to build from within, so we have a lot of good prospects. It should be a good season.

Let me know if you go. I usually sit in section 232, and will be there for both games this weekend. Friday&Saturday, 7:30pm, against Utah. (BTW-Home opener.)

 

Correct! They were more like an A level club -- at the bottom of the hockey ladder. They are making a significant jump in moving to the AHL. It's technically not even a move, since it will be a new franchise in a different league. They'll just keep the name, and hopefully the fans. They hope to avoid some of the problems that San Antonio had when the Spurs recently brought in a new AHL team, and stomped the existing team out of existance.

Warm weather state is correct -- Texas. A few years ago we were #1 with 13 to Michigan's 10. We've lost a few since them. I'll do another count if I get a chance.

 

2004-2005 season -- if the voters approve the arena. I believe the Star's current agreement with Utah to be the primary affiliate runs out after this season or next.

 

Yes -- I think so, anyway. Amarillo and San Angelo have undergone some organizational change this season.

Did counting on Texas, and we could be #1 again with 12 teams. 1 NHL (Dallas), 2 AHL (Houston, San Antonio), and 9 CHL clubs. Either next season or 2004, we are supposed to get a ECHL team as well, in Beaumont.

 

To correct a minor point ... The Ice Bats were last the affiliate of the Aeros in 2000-01. Since last season, we had to have an ECHL affiliate. But the AHL could be very impressive to fans in the 04-05 season with teams in Houston, San An, & Austin.

Besides, if any Rockets fans really hate the Spurs, you can come root for the Aeros when we play the San Antonio Rampage this season ... the Spurs own them. So will we.

 

I think the AHL team in San Antonio will have a hard time putting asses in the seats. I follow the CHL fairly closely and from reading a lot of message boards with Iguanas fans, there seem to be a lot of people that are willing to boycott the AHL team that the Spurs own.

 

I think it'll be a rough ride for them this season, but if the HOU-AUS-SA rivalry pans out, then all systems are go. I think it'll be a boon for all involved. Geographical rivalries just make to much sense.

 

I haven't heard anything about this. The WPHL club seemed to have a good market, and were compeditive with Austin. They folded a couple of years ago with the Waco team.

A team in Temple-Belton might be more risky now. a CHL team is about the only thing that makes sense, and they'll find it even harder to compete now, considering before they had 3 division rivals within 2 hours driving time.

Of course, I'll welcom any Texas sports franchise. We ARE the best sports state.