Arena Digest Hosting the Greatest Shows on Earth

Saying they couldn’t come to an acceptable lease agreement with management of the Toyota Center, Minnesota Wild officials announced the transfer of the Houston Aeros (AHL) to Des Moines for the 2013-2014 season. Read More »

A year ago Town Toyota Center was used as an example of how arena spending could drag down the finances of a medium-sized city. Today, after some slight adjustments in the revenue formula, the arena receives a small city subsidy and is back on solid financial ground. Read More »

Only a few months after its opening, the general manager of the Ralston Arena has resigned to take a similar position in Bemidji, and a new GM is expected to be hired early next year. Read More »

Though there’s some fan sentiment toward moving up to the AHL from the lower-level ECHL, it sounds like Toledo Walleye management is happy to stay at their present level. The Walleye franchise is arguably one of the tops in all of minor-league hockey; launched by the same nonprofit that owns the successful Toledo Mud Hens, the top farm team of ... Read More »

{jathumbnail off} Hockey returns to Johnstown’s War Memorial Arena, where much of the classic Slap Shot movie was shot, in the form of an NAHL team. War Memorial Arena was home to plenty of hockey over the years, last to the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL. It’s a smaller arena — just 4,000 seats — and the Jets ownership came to loggerheads ... Read More »

With the CHL in rough shape and the Fort Wayne Komets looking to move to the ECHL, owner Michael Franke says more structure is needed in minor-league hockey – with the NHL’s involvement. His solution is simple: there needs to be a more organized structure to minor-league hockey, mimicking the tiered structure used in Minor League Baseball, working closely with ... Read More »

The Orlando Solar Bears, slated to join the ECHL in the 2012-2013 season, unveiled their logo last night. The logo, designed by Joe Bosack, features the popular mascot, “Shades,” and consist of the historical teal and purple color scheme. “A focus group made up of youth hockey players and coaches, past Solar Bears season ticket holders and former Solar Bears ... Read More »

The Springfield Falcons (AHL) will be playing at MassMutual Center for two more years as a Columbus Blue Jackets affiliate, under two deals announced yesterday. The future of the Falcons has been an open question for months now. Majority Owner Charlie Pompea brought a measure of stability and enthusiasm to the program when he and his partners bought the team ... Read More »

{jathumbnail off} Renderings and plans for a new Allentown arena to house the relocating Adirondack Phantoms (AHL) were unveiled by Mayor Ed Pawlowski yesterday. The plan merges the old — the former Dime Bank building — with the new in what was certainly a challenging downtown parcel. Because of changes in grade on the site, the front entrance will be ... Read More »

Reps from eight Western NHL teams have lobbied NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly about working with the AHL on a western division or establishing a new league, according to TSN. The eight teams — the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes and Vancouver Canucks — reportedly wants the AHL to ... Read More »