Coyotes, San Antonio near affiliate deal
David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 28, 2005 12:00 AM
The Coyotes plan to announce a multiyear affiliation with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League within the next few days, perhaps today.
Phoenix has been searching for a new primary affiliate since the Utah Grizzlies suspended operations last month after the first year of a three-year agreement with the Coyotes, then left the AHL altogether for the less expensive ECHL.
Details of the Coyotes' new relationship with San Antonio are sketchy, but it appears Phoenix will not have to share the Rampage with the Florida Panthers - San Antonio's previous parent club - or any other NHL team, and will be able to select the team's coaching staff.
It was unclear Monday whether Pat Conacher and Gord Dineen, the head coach and assistant coach, respectively, for Utah last season will be back in those roles in San Antonio.
Utah finished with a league-low 53 points last season under that coaching tandem.
Coyotes General Manager Mike Barnett could not be reached for comment Monday.
The Rampage plays their home games at the SBC Center, the same arena that houses the San Antonio Spurs.
The NBA champs also are co-owners of the Rampage.
The Coyotes loved the idea of having their top affiliate in nearby Salt Lake City last season, although, thanks to the ongoing NHL lockout, they never got to fully enjoy the benefits of having their prospects just 650 or so miles away.
San Antonio, one of only a handful of AHL teams based west of the Mississippi River, is about 1,000 miles from Glendale Arena.
San Antonio, which has been an AHL franchise since the 2002-03 season, ranked 21st in the 28-team league in average attendance last season at 4,556 fans per game.
The Panthers were willing to negotiate a deal with the Coyotes because they reportedly want to establish an AHL affiliate in Orlando.
David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 28, 2005 12:00 AM
The Coyotes plan to announce a multiyear affiliation with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League within the next few days, perhaps today.
Phoenix has been searching for a new primary affiliate since the Utah Grizzlies suspended operations last month after the first year of a three-year agreement with the Coyotes, then left the AHL altogether for the less expensive ECHL.
Details of the Coyotes' new relationship with San Antonio are sketchy, but it appears Phoenix will not have to share the Rampage with the Florida Panthers - San Antonio's previous parent club - or any other NHL team, and will be able to select the team's coaching staff.
It was unclear Monday whether Pat Conacher and Gord Dineen, the head coach and assistant coach, respectively, for Utah last season will be back in those roles in San Antonio.
Utah finished with a league-low 53 points last season under that coaching tandem.
Coyotes General Manager Mike Barnett could not be reached for comment Monday.
The Rampage plays their home games at the SBC Center, the same arena that houses the San Antonio Spurs.
The NBA champs also are co-owners of the Rampage.
The Coyotes loved the idea of having their top affiliate in nearby Salt Lake City last season, although, thanks to the ongoing NHL lockout, they never got to fully enjoy the benefits of having their prospects just 650 or so miles away.
San Antonio, one of only a handful of AHL teams based west of the Mississippi River, is about 1,000 miles from Glendale Arena.
San Antonio, which has been an AHL franchise since the 2002-03 season, ranked 21st in the 28-team league in average attendance last season at 4,556 fans per game.
The Panthers were willing to negotiate a deal with the Coyotes because they reportedly want to establish an AHL affiliate in Orlando.
