With the recent agreement between the Anaheim Ducks and the Bakersfield Condors, the Ducks are hoping they have taken the first step toward getting their farm teams to the West Coast. The one-year agreement, which ended the two-year affiliation between the Ducks and the Augusta Lynx, is the first NHL affiliation for the Condors.Ducks General Manager and Executive Vice President, Brian Burke, was quoted in LA Times Online saying of the new affiliation, "We're excited about that. "We did a one-year affiliation so we can see if it's a good fit. We really like the ownership and the proximity. The building is wonderful."
Currently, the Ducks AHL affiliate is the Calder Cup contending Portland Pirates, based in Maine. It has been no secret throughout the affiliation that the Ducks intend to someday bring their AHL team closer to Anaheim, though as Burke admitted, "The likelihood of that occurring won't happen until another team relocates to California." So far, Houston is the westernmost location of any of the 29 AHL teams.
With luck for the Ducks, the Bakersfield agreement will be a catalyst in moving an AHL team to California. So far the Ducks organization seems to be hopeful yet realistic for the future of California hockey. As Burke said, "It may take several years. It's going to take some time."
Written by: Chandra Zorr
Source:
"Brian Burke confident Corey Perry can be re-signed" by Eric Stephens. Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
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