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Flames remain without a sole AHL affiliate in 2004-05
Written by: Aaron Vickers on 09/05/2004 
One cannot deny the success the AHL has had in passing on players to the National Hockey League. In fact, the AHL prides itself on it. A figure released by the AHL stated that 80 percent of all NHL players are a 'graduate' of the AHL, with more then 400 players skating in both the NHL and AHL last season. In the World Cup of Hockey currently being played, the AHL has contributed to the development of 105 players participating for their respective nations, ranging from former Flame and AHL Rookie of the Year in 1987 Brett Hull, to 2004 Hart Trophy award winner and former Calgary Flame Martin St Louis.
The Calgary Flames roster boasts many players that have honed their craft that the AHL level. Matthew Lombardi spent the entire 2002-03 season playing in the AHL, registering 46 points in 76 games before making the jump to the Flames as a full time player in 2003-04. Osoyoos, BC native Chuck Kobasew also spent part of the 2002-03 season in the AHL, scoring 21 goals in 48 games before being called up by the Calgary Flames for full time duty. The list continues with the likes of Steve Montador, Mike Commodore, and Markus Nilson. In fact, only four Flames players have never seen any minor-league action: Jarome Iginla, Steven Reinprecht, Martin Gelinas, and Toni Lydman.
Clearly the minor league level is essential in developing NHL-ready talent. It then becomes puzzling to understand why the Calgary Flames, who boast so much talent that has come from the minor leagues, do not currently have a a full AHL affiliate.
What Happened To Saint John?
As recently as two seasons ago the organization had a minor league club located in Saint John, New Brunswick, also nicknamed the Flames. For ten seasons, from season 1993-94 to 2002-03, the Saint John Flames provided the Calgary Flames a place to develop prospects such as Martin St Louis, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Cory Stillman and Denis Gauthier.
On April 22nd, 2003 it was announced that the Calgary Flames had come to an agreement with then the operators of the Saint John Flames, Saint John Pro Sports Inc. The Calgary Flames bought out their interest, 50 percent, in the Saint John Flames. One week later, the Calgary Flames announced that they had suspended the operations of the organization for one season. The season has passed, yet there is no talk of taking the Saint John Flames out of dormancy. Meanwhile the Calgary Flames, who put the Saint John Flames into inactivity, had to pay a 'dormancy fee' for the 2003-04 season, with the expectation that the NHL franchise would re-locate their farm affiliate a season later.
There appears to be no plans for relocating the franchise, however. For the coming 2004-05 hockey season, the Flames have decided to share an affiliate with the Carolina Hurricanes. The Flames and Hurricanes are set to share the Lowell Lock Monsters of the AHL's Atlantic Division, located in Massachusetts. There is only one other AHL franchise, the Houston Aeros, which will also be shared as an NHL affiliate, by the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild.
On the ice, the Saint John Flames were anything but a failure. During their tenure in the American Hockey League, spanning a decade, the organization compiled a 338-334-105-19 record, including a Calder Cup victory in 2001 capped by Jack A Butterfield winner Steve Begin.
Unfortunately for both the Calgary Flames and the City of Saint John, the organization simply couldn't generate enough revenue to continue to operate in the small market town. Rising salaries paid in American dollars coupled with poor attendance figures had Saint John losing money for five consecutive seasons before the Calgary Flames decided to close the door on their partners. Eventually, it all came down to dollars and sense for Calgary Flames President Ken King.
Where and When?
For the time being, the Calgary Flames seem indifferent about housing their dormant AHL franchise. Content with sharing Lowell with the Carolina Hurricanes, plans for a new Flames affiliate may be on the back-burner for the time being.
There will be a new city joining the AHL next season, but it won't house the Flames. Des Moines, Iowa, a city with a population hovering around the 200,000 mark, will be the AHL's 29th franchise and the Dallas Stars will lay claim to the organization, ending their partnership with the Houston Aeros after the 2004-05 season.
While the Canadian dollar has made a strong recovery in recent months, it seems unlikely that the Flames would place their affiliate within Canadian borders. Taking in Canadian currency through gate receipts and promotions makes paying salaries in American coin that much more difficult. It is expected that when the Flames do re-establish the rights to a sole American Hockey League affiliate, it will be one south of the border.
While there hasn't been much discussion on a new location for a Calgary Flames affiliate, there is a growing trend amongst AHL teams to be closer to their parent organizations. Not only does this cut down on travel costs of each organization and allow for faster access to players in call-up situations, it also allows for a closer observation of the minor league team. By being closer to their youngsters, not only can the organization monitor their development much more closely, but play a more important role in that development as well.
That said, the northwest United States appear to be a prime location for the Calgary Flames to re-establish their farm system. A city such as Boulder, Colorado, in an area where the Avalanche and NCAA teams have a strong following, would make an excellent alternative. Although Seattle may be pushing for a National Hockey League organization, one may wonder if they'd be willing to settle for an American Hockey League franchise.
Who?
The Calgary Flames currently have a plethora of prospects overseas playing hockey in Europe, and more specifically Russia, that could come across to North America and use the American Hockey League as a means of becoming acclimatized to not only North American hockey, but cultures and language as well. Players such as Yuri Trubachev, Ruslan Zainullin and Andrei Teratukhin would benefit greatly from being able to spend some time in the American Hockey League before becoming relied upon to carry some of the offensive load of the Calgary franchise.
Europeans wouldn't be the only to benefit from the Calgary Flames having their own AHL partner, however. North American players coming out of college or the Canadian Hockey League are also having problems finding quality ice time. One such prime example of this is goaltender Brent Krahn, who after finishing up his junior career with the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2002-03, struggled to find a regular team in 2003-04, playing with three separate organizations. With fellow goaltender Danny Sabourin taking the lone goaltending spot on a split Lowell squad last year (each organization, Calgary and Carolina was allowed to have one goaltender on the roster). It took a juggling act between the two goaltenders to allow Krahn any quality time in the AHL. It wasn't until Krahn was loaned to the San Antonio Rampage, an affiliate of the Florida Panthers, that he saw significant action.
This offseason, the Calgary Flames also signed several young unrestricted free agents. These players, mostly comprised of overaged Canadian junior players, will be looking for a place to take their game to the next level after signing their first professional contracts.
Among them is defenseman Mark Giordano, a 21-year-old defenseman who finished up his junior career with the Owen Sound Attack this season. Standing at 6'0 and slightly over 200lbs, Giordano will likely be forced to start off his professional career in the ECHL with Calgary's affiliate, the Las Vegas Wranglers.
Patrik Nilson, who played three games with the Florida Panthers AHL affiliate San Antonio Rampage and is the brother of current Calgary Flame Marcus Nilson, was one of several forwards signed by the Calgary Flames this offseason. Nilson spent the majority of last season in the Central Hockey League, registering 65 points in 60 games for the Laredo Bucks.
The Flames also went out and signed Robyn Regehr's little brother, Ritchie Regehr. The Rosthern, Saskatchewan native has spent parts of the last six seasons in the Western Hockey League, spending the first three with the Kelowna Rockets, and finishing up his junior career with the Portland Winter Hawks. Now 21, Regehr will be making his debut as a professional hockey player, and may take up one of few valuable spots that have been allotted to the Calgary Flames on the Lock Monsters.
Other signings include former Kelowna Rocket and Red Deer Rebel Carsen Germyn, who spent last season in the AHL with the Norfolk Admirals, Dustin Johner, who finished up his junior career with the Seattle Thunderbirds before skating in four games with South Carolina of the ECHL, and left winger Davin Heintz formally of the Swift Current Broncos.
With the recent signings of the Calgary Flames, suddenly there seems to be an apparent log-jam of talent vying for limited positions with Lowell. The Calgary Flames could very well ice an AHL affiliate, and do so somewhat successfully. Granted, there is very much a veteran presence on most AHL franchises, the Calgary Flames have many prospects ready to make a significant run at professional hockey in the American Hockey League.
Down the middle, the junior Flames could ice their Russian pair, Yuri Trubachev and Andrei Teratukhin. The likes of Brandon Prust or Patrik Nilson could also make cases for themselves, but it is likely that at least one or two positions would be reserved for more proven AHL players.
On right wing, Carsen Germyn has already proven he's able to handle full time AHL duty with his 27 points in 77 games with Norfolk. Former fourth rounder from the 2001 NHL Entry Draft Tomi Maki may be looking to change his luck, and scenery, after struggling the last few seasons with several injuries. Calgary's return in the Marc Savard trade, Ruslan Zainullin, could also use an American Hockey League appearance to jump-start his North American career, after many have written him off in terms of contributing at the NHL level.
While Calgary organization appears thin in terms of professional prospects on left wing, the Flames signed 6'4 forward Davin Heintz in hopes that he may blossom. Aside from Heintz, however, the organization will have to wait for Michigan's Eric Nystrom to graduate before it will have a potential front-line prospect patrolling the left wing in the pros.
On defense, the organization appears relatively thin, but with the additions of Ritchie Regehr and Mark Giordano, things appear to be turning the corner. Both are signed, and looking for action, possibly in the American Hockey League. While they appear evident, the Calgary Flames may have also been able to keep former Cape Breton Screaming Eagle Tim Ramholt in North America, by signing him to a professional contract and allowing him to further develop in the AHL, instead of having him return to Switzerland to play for Zurich. Although falling just outside the criteria of what is defined as a prospect at Hockey's Future, Swede Jonas Frogren may have also been coaxed to come play in the American Hockey League. Frogren, an excellent defenseman in Sweden, would also serve as an excellent call-up to the Calgary Flames in case of injury.
It's certain that goaltender Brent Krahn would like to have a net to call all his own, which is something that would happen if the Calgary Flames had sole possession of an American Hockey League affiliate. Krahn would likely be the official starting goaltender, but an interesting thought could have stellar Russian netminder Andrei Medvedev making his North American debut in the minor leagues. Not only would this give Medvedev a chance to become familiar with the smaller North American rinks, but may give the Calgary Flames a better opportunity to increase the fitness of the plump puck stopper.
What Now?
While the Calgary Flames currently own the rights to their dormant AHL affiliate, there is certainly more then just profit to be made out of the venture. The Calgary Flames will soon invest in a new franchise, and by doing so, invest in a new generation of Calgary Flames prospects. Certainly the Flames themselves would eventually see the reward from their investments, especially if it meant seeing the likes of their top European prospects inch closer and closer to the NHL, a reward of the patience Calgary has shown them thus far.
Perhaps the most important facet in which an AHL organization may help the Calgary Flames is simply prospect enhancement. General Manager and Head Coach Darryl Sutter would certainly hand select his own Head Coach to watch over his up-and-coming players, and the thought of developing prospects from within, with the Sutter mold in mind, certainly has to be attractive to the Calgary Flames.
Certainly the Calgary Flames see the positives in re-forming the former Saint John Flames, only in another city. In fact, it's likely only a matter of time before the likes of Dustin Boyd, Aki Seitsonen and David Van Der Gulik are suiting up for the Baby Flames, wherever they may be, with aspirations of playing in the Saddledome.
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Copyright 2004 Hockey's Future. Do not duplicate without written permission of the editorial staff.
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