Central Hockey League (AA) (Old CHL, 1963–84, was AAA)
Team’s 2007-08 Season NHL & AHL Affiliations
1.
Arizona Sundogs -
Phoenix Coyotes,
San Antonio Rampage
2.
Austin Ice Bats -
Minnesota Wild,
Houston Aeros
3.
Youngstown SteelHounds -
Columbus Blue Jackets,
Syracuse Crunch
4.
Mississippi RiverKings (previously Memphis RiverKings) -
New York Rangers,
Hartford Wolf Pack
= Changes from 2006-07 Season =
1. Arizon Sundogs, based in Prescott Valley, first CHL season was 2006-07. They were affiliated with the
Colorado Avalanche and the
Albany River Rats. For the 2007-08 season the Laredo Buck's decided not to renew their affiliations with the
Phoenix Coyotes and
San Antonio Rampage. Accordingly, the Sundogs changed their one year affiliation agreement to the
Phoenix Coyotes and
San Antonio Rampage.
2.
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs no longer affiliated with the
Buffalo Sabres and
Rochester Americans
3.
Odessa Jackalopes no longer affiliated with the
Edmonton Oilers and
Springfield Falcons
4.
New Mexico Scorpions no longer affiliated with the
Nashville Predators and
Milwaukee Admirals. The Scorpions only did a one year affiliation agreement for the 2006-07 season as it was their 1st season back after missing the 2005-06 CHL season.
NOTES: The top two CHL franchises, the
Colorado Eagles and
Laredo Bucks (CHL Champions: Eagles 2006-07, 2004-05 / Bucks 2005-06, 2003-04) decided that they didn't need NHL and AHL affiliations any longer to maintain their A+ franchises on a cost/benefit basis. Laredo followed Colorado's lead on this subject for the 2007-08 season. This is the second season for the Eagles without affiliations. With the CHL being a low budget “show hockey” league, and tertiary developmental league at best, there is little need for team NHL or AHL affiliations except for the new clubs coming into the league that wish to make a splash in their AA hockey market area. The Sundogs affiliations makes business sense, but not the Ice Bats, SteelHounds, or RiverKings - all who have attendance and profitability problems. The Central Hockey League is based in Phoenix, Arizona and plans on more Arizona teams expansion. They would obviously like to see the
Arizona Sundogs be a successful championship franchise like Laredo and Colorado using NHL/AHL affiliations to assist in building up their new franchise value.
On other matters, I noticed that 2007-08 CHL overall average base ticket prices increased about 18.6%, before required add-on ticket fees. Several teams increased their average ticket prices even higher than the overall average. I understand it’s the largest overall average CHL ticket prices increase since the “New CHL” was re-established in 1992. Many CHL franchises are now charging game ticket prices similar to, or higher than, AHL franchises. Yet, the caliber of play is substantially less. Average 2007-08 CHL attendance is down 15.3% from the same time last season. This compares to NHL +2.0%, AHL -5.5%, and ECHL -6.6%. The Central Hockey League is owned by Global Entertainment Corporation ("GEE") which is publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange.
11.08.07, DL