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It's Titanic Time At The International Hockey League
While the AHL is the prime contender for many of the viable teams seeking a new home, the ECHL and the CHL/WPHL may see survivors floating in the wreckage too.

SPRINGFIELD, MA - 05/14/01 - The end is in sight for the International Hockey League (IHL). The viable teams are heading for the row boats, paddling like crazy for the shores of the American Hockey League (AHL), possibly the ECHL, and the CHL or the CHL/WPHL merger combo.

Meanwhile, the AHL Board of Governors, intent on embracing the NHL's mantle of top league, has opened the door to the majority of healthy teams looking to depart the IHL.

The League anticipates concluding negotiations with a number of expansion applicants within the next two weeks and will announce the operational specifics of the expanded AHL at the conclusion of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

"The objective of this expansion is to further solidify the American Hockey League in its role as the primary player development league for National Hockey League clubs," said Andrews. "The AHL brand wilt be strengthened, and our marketing potential increased."

While most teams are not talking about the deal, MLN was able to confirm several discussions beyond the IHL teams in negotiations with the AHL:

The Chicago Wolves are a player in the AHL negotiations, and plan to be in operation, most likely as an AHL franchise.
Sources tell MLN that the Kansas City Blades franchise has approached the Central Hockey League looking at the possibility of a merger with the CHL or the CHL/WPHL marriage whose wedding plans get into high gear this summer.
While the Orlando Solar Bears have not made active outreach to the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), they find themselves at the far flung end of the newly-adjusted AHL. Sources tell MLN that they could go to either league, but probably will continue operating.
The Houston Aeros have had preliminary discussions with the WPHL about joining that league, should the IHL fold. The Aeros would be a good fit in the WPHL or the WPHL/WCHL merger both geographically and in terms of raising the bar for hockey in the South Central/ Southwest states.

In all of the talk swirling around, one thing has become clear: The demise of the IHL has moved from an "if" to a "when," with several franchises expected to shutter their doors.

The AHL has grand plans of becoming the golden child of the NHL. If they are able to pull in the top-tier franchises of the IHL, and keep their league stable, they may indeed be able to take over the IHL's mantle as the preeminent minor hockey league serving the NHL.

As for the NHL, whose owners have been quite content to pilfer players for their benches without paying out salaries for minor leaguer teams in a dedicated farm system, no change in policy or practice seems imminent.

Stay with MLN as we provide further updates on this evolving story.

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