AHL discussion and news thread

[Dante]

Since it looks like we may not have any NHL this season thought we might talk a little about the AHL.

Here are some interesting new rules for the league.

- In a delayed offside situation, the offending player(s) will be permitted to negate the offside by “tagging up” with the blue line. This rule was in effect from 1986-96 and will enable more flow in the forechecking aspect of the game while reducing the number of stoppages.

- “Automatic icing” has been implemented, with icing infractions to be called and the play whistled dead when the puck crosses the goal line (I think that's a stupid rule).

- Goal lines will be moved from 13 feet to 11 feet out from the end boards, and blue lines will be moved back accordingly to maintain a 60-foot attacking zone. This will increase the size of the neutral zone and reduce play behind the goals.

- The width of the blue lines and the center red line will be increased from 12 inches to 24 inches each, and passes will be permitted from the defensive edge of one blue line to the offensive edge of the other blue line, adding additional space to the neutral zone.

- The maximum width of goaltenders’ leg pads will be reduced from 12 inches to 10 inches, creating additional scoring area for shooters.

- The AHL will also implement, for the first seven weeks of the 2004-05 regular season, a limited test of a rule restricting the areas where goaltenders may play the puck. This is a step designed to increase offensive opportunities without wholly eliminating a goaltender’s ability to assist his defensemen. Following the completion of the test period, the AHL will evaluate the results and determine whether the rule’s application will continue.

[Khansingh]

I heard they were abandoning that last rule change.

I'm barely fifteen minutes from the Islanders' AHL affiliate, so I've got that.

[pmannion]

This will be the St. John's Maple Leafs' last season here. Toronto are going to move them back to Ontario. The question then becomes what to do with the brand new 6000-all-seater stadium the city built for them.

[kwik1980]

When the deal was announced, it was said that the Leafs were going to offer assistance in getting a QMJHL franchise into the arena to fill the gap. Nothing official yet, but that was the plan.

[Dante]

Word from Ottawa is that Dominic Hasek has asked Ottawa to send him to Binghamton to play if there's a lockout.

Oh yeah, next year there will be a new team in the AHL. The Iowa Stars, Dallas' affiliate.

[Bluto11]

my cousin plays for the Houston Aeros. his name is Dan Cavanaugh. Last year at some point he was captain and had a great shot to make the Wild this year, damn lockout. It looks like I'll be watching some AHL games this winter. I'm not a huge hockey fan, but I like watching the Blackhawks.

[kwik1980]

The AHL put out a release explaining some details on the new goalie rule.

The test period will run through November 28th. Basically, there will be two lines behind the net, starting on the goal line 6 feet from each post, and running to the boards on a diagonal, creating a box behind the net where the goalie can play the puck. If he plays the puck outside of the box, it'll be a 2-minute delay of game penalty. After the test period, the AHL will evaluate, and decide if the rule sticks for the remainder of the season. The "safe area" was decided on after tests involving a goalie, defenders, and the head coach from the Portland Pirates, an NHL official, the goalie coach of the St. Louis Blues, and an AHL referee and linesman.

This is what it'll look like on the ice. The black lines in front of the net are for reference only, and will not appear on the ice.
http://www.theahl.com/AHL/News/2004/09/21/goalietest_250.jpg

[Michael K.]

I'm barely fifteen minutes from the Islanders' AHL affiliate, so I've got that.

Where do you live?
Sound Tigers games are a good time - I wish Bridgeport fans turned out in greater numbers and louder, but it looks like that's a bit too much to ask. Sad, because they've pretty much always had a good team to root for.

[SportBoy333]

When the deal was announced, it was said that the Leafs were going to offer assistance in getting a QMJHL franchise into the arena to fill the gap. Nothing official yet, but that was the plan.


I guess the future of any Maritime teams is in the QMJHL since the AHL isnt interested it appears in having any Maritime teams anymore. The QMJHL is a very hot and popular league so fans shouldnt miss the AHL too much.

[SportBoy333]

Word from Ottawa is that Dominic Hasek has asked Ottawa to send him to Binghamton to play if there's a lockout.

Oh yeah, next year there will be a new team in the AHL. The Iowa Stars, Dallas' affiliate.

Damn, the AHL is all over the map now. I guess I'm a traditionalist but I prefered it when it was a mostly Northeastern US and Atlantic Canada league. I guess the demise of the IHL made the AHL spread out all over. Thats a shame because the IHL was really cool I thought.

[Khansingh]

Atlantic Canada has been where AHL clubs go to die. The landscape is strewn with the sites of former AHL teams: Cape Breton, St. John, Fredericton, Moncton, Halifax, and now St. John's. And yet, junior teams have flourished there, so go figure.

And I live in Fairfield. It's just a mile from my house to the train station, one stop to Bridgeport, and a couple hundred yards from there to the Arena. You're average European would love the set-up. I've got to believe that the reason the Sounders (as I like to call them) haven't drawn so well is because the Bluefish basically dried up all of the novelty of minor league sports. The 'Fish sold out almost all of their games during their first three seasons. But after a while, you get sick of going to the same ballpark, paying the overpriced parking and concessions, to watch the same independent league dirtbaggers who are only playing because they really, truly, deeply love the game. It's not like any top prospects come through the Atlantic League. The Barrage also had a hard time here, and lo, they're doing much better in Philadelphia. But the Sounders are making progress. The playoff crowds were great, the games against Hartford always draw well, they've got a booster club that would make the Timbers Army proud, so it's looking better.

[stevewhit0]

my cousin plays for the Houston Aeros. his name is Dan Cavanaugh. Last year at some point he was captain and had a great shot to make the Wild this year, damn lockout. It looks like I'll be watching some AHL games this winter. I'm not a huge hockey fan, but I like watching the Blackhawks.

Yea Dan Cavanaugh is a good player. We both come from the same the same Junior program, we played for the junior team at different times but meet him a couple times thru working hockey camps and stuff. I expect the AHL to really good hockey this year will lots of NHL talent coming down to play.

[Inbred Avenger]

This will be the St. John's Maple Leafs' last season here. Toronto are going to move them back to Ontario. The question then becomes what to do with the brand new 6000-all-seater stadium the city built for them.
It's the last season for the IceCats to play in Worcester as well. :( They're going to move to Peoria, IL. I feel wicked bummed about this. As for the stadium in St. John's, they could have concerts and other stuff there. That's what they do at the DCU Centre (formerly Worcester's Centrum Centre) in Worcester, MA.

[kwik1980]

It's the last season for the IceCats to play in Worcester as well. :( They're going to move to Peoria, IL. I feel wicked bummed about this. As for the stadium in St. John's, they could have concerts and other stuff there. That's what they do at the DCU Centre (formerly Worcester's Centrum Centre) in Worcester, MA.


Yeah, but St. Johns will also more than likely have a QMJHL team to fill the hockey dates. I don't know if that will happen in Worcester. The area is saturated with AHL hockey even with the IceCats leaving, as there are still teams in Hartford, Springfield, Providence and Portland. I don't know if the ECHL wants that market, and the UHL is not really an option either, since they've never really had success in the East. Adirondack is always teetering on the brink of collapse, and Elmira had a good season or two, and even they are struggling. And the less said about the spectacular collapse of the Mohawk Valley team, the better. (Both the ECHL and the UHL are at least a step below the AHL)

[DoyleG]

QMJHL sets the expansion rules for next season.
http://www.tsn.ca/chl/news_Story.asp?ID=104598

Neither city will miss the AHL that much.

[Jeff]

Yeah, but St. Johns will also more than likely have a QMJHL team to fill the hockey dates. I don't know if that will happen in Worcester. The area is saturated with AHL hockey even with the IceCats leaving, as there are still teams in Hartford, Springfield, Providence and Portland. I don't know if the ECHL wants that market, and the UHL is not really an option either, since they've never really had success in the East. Adirondack is always teetering on the brink of collapse, and Elmira had a good season or two, and even they are struggling. And the less said about the spectacular collapse of the Mohawk Valley team, the better. (Both the ECHL and the UHL are at least a step below the AHL)

Don't forget about Lowell, MA and Manchester, NH. Lowell's established itself as a decent draw, and Manchester has been a tremendous success. Bridgeport too.

[Gioca]

Atlantic Canada has been where AHL clubs go to die. The landscape is strewn with the sites of former AHL teams: Cape Breton, St. John, Fredericton, Moncton, Halifax, and now St. John's. And yet, junior teams have flourished there, so go figure.

And I live in Fairfield. It's just a mile from my house to the train station, one stop to Bridgeport, and a couple hundred yards from there to the Arena. You're average European would love the set-up. I've got to believe that the reason the Sounders (as I like to call them) haven't drawn so well is because the Bluefish basically dried up all of the novelty of minor league sports. The 'Fish sold out almost all of their games during their first three seasons. But after a while, you get sick of going to the same ballpark, paying the overpriced parking and concessions, to watch the same independent league dirtbaggers who are only playing because they really, truly, deeply love the game. It's not like any top prospects come through the Atlantic League. The Barrage also had a hard time here, and lo, they're doing much better in Philadelphia. But the Sounders are making progress. The playoff crowds were great, the games against Hartford always draw well, they've got a booster club that would make the Timbers Army proud, so it's looking better.

The Sound Tigers have been a complete failure. They have drawn way under what was projected, and the arena is a glorified luxury tool shed. All the games I've been to have been complete dissapointments. I'm sorry but they should have kept the New Haven Knights, those fans at least had character. The Sound Tigers even draw less than that UHL team.

[Gioca]

Don't forget about Lowell, MA and Manchester, NH. Lowell's established itself as a decent draw, and Manchester has been a tremendous success. Bridgeport too.

Where are people getting this idea that Bridgeport has been a success? Or Lowell? Neither of those teams are anywhere near a success. But Manchester has become a true diamond in a league with a lot of roughness. Great marketing and arena there. What I loved about that crowd was that is was mostly 20-somethings, not just the kids and parents that many teams only try to target.

[Gioca]

QMJHL sets the expansion rules for next season.
http://www.tsn.ca/chl/news_Story.asp?ID=104598

Neither city will miss the AHL that much.

I'd rather watch Junior A hockey than the AHL any day. I think the fans in Quebec City have proven which league is more important as well. Congrats to those cities.

[Jeff]

Lowell's a lot more stable attendance wise than what they started. I hope they draw better too since I grew up less than minutes from where Tsongas Arena is, butin year one there was concern there wouldn't be year two.

When I go back east I hope to go to Manchester for a game. They have been great for the AHL.