The loss of the New Mexico Scorpions was expected. but CHL insiders are still stunned by the decision by Oklahoma City Blazers ownership to suspend operations for the 2009-2010 season. Also rumored: the Edmonton Oilers are looking at putting an AHL team in Ford Centre.
The loss of the New Mexico Scorpions was expected. but CHL insiders are still stunned by the decision by Oklahoma City Blazers ownership to suspend operations for the 2009-2010 season.
Oklahoma City has annually been among the best-drawing teams in all of minor-league hockey, never mind the CHL. But last season was a tough one with the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder moving into town: everyone was excited about pro basketball, leaving pro hockey left with the scraps in terms of sponsorships and dates.
So team ownership decided to suspend operations.
The immediate question: How long before the Thunder launch a hockey team? The AHL would be a good fit for Oklahoma City: it's a good hockey market, there are natural rivalries in the region (Dallas and San Antonio) and with the Thunder controlling Ford Centre, adding a team to fill dates makes sense. One report has the Edmonton Oilers — which has an AHL franchise in its hop pocket — setting the team up as early as the 2010-2011 season.
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