Good Lord, the "affiliate shuffle" begun by Vegas stealing St. Louis's AHL team continues.
So to recap:
The Golden Knights ended their affiliation with the Chicago Wolves, bought the San Antonio Rampage (the Blues' affiliate) and are moving them to Nevada.
The Blues entered into a five-year agreement with the Springfield Falcons, the Panthros' current affiliate.
So now, for some reason, Tom Dundon decided to switch the Canes' affiliation from the Charlotte Checkers to the Chicago Wolves. Very strange, especially given how Dundon usually like to cut costs whenever he can. Also, the Wolves have alienated a lot of different parent teams because they operate very independently (they're one of the few AHL franchises with their own TV deal) and thus don't make player development their top priority. Not sure how Dundon's going to like a subsidiary not doing exactly what their told.
The Checkers, as you might imagine,
are not pleased.
Quote:
Later Wednesday, the Checkers released a statement: “While we are aware that the Carolina Hurricanes are nearing an affiliation agreement with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, the Hurricanes have had little dialogue with us regarding this matter. In an era when NHL teams are placing great value on affiliations with closer proximity between the two clubs, we understand the confusion such a move would cause.”
I'm guessing since they're the only two left without dancing partners that the Checkers and Panthers will meet up. Not sure how having the AHL team go from being the farm team of the in-state NHL club to a conference (note, not division) rival will play out, but...hey it ain't my money.
I know these affiliate shuffles are not a new thing by any means, but this one is playing out kind of strangely.