State of the AHL
Expansion, and a looming labor dispute main issues at Andrews' address.

By DAN HICKLING
MinorLeagueNews.com

 

PORTLAND, Maine -- For keyboard jockeys at least, it's become part andparcel of the AHL All-Star weekend. As much perhaps as the skills competitionor the game itself.

We're referring of course to the "State of the League" session, conductedfor reporters on the AHL beat, by league president Dave Andrews.

For nine years now, Andrews has engaged in this give and take gabfests at some point during the gala, and it is a "must do" on any writer's list ofAll-Star "to do's."

And those who have "done" at least a few of these, can tell you what thefirst line out of Andrews' mouth will be, even before he forms the words.

"I don't really have anything prepared."

Actually, he's only giving half the truth. He may not be carrying anyprepared notes, but he is prepared, and always ready to fend off any questionsfired his way.

This time around, holding court in the Cumberland County Civic Center'sCaptain's Club, he lobbed a pre-emptive strike, answering the question heknew would be on everyone's list.

"What about 2004?"

As we all know, the collective bargaining agreement between the NationalHockey League and it's Player's Association is due to expire following the2003-04 campaign.

Unless the two sides come to terms before then, the following season,set to begin in October 2004, could easily fall victim to any labor dispute.

Of course, the ripple effects would be felt all throughout hockey (and beyond), but most acutely by the American Hockey League, which as its primary developmental outlet, depends heavily on the NHL to stock it with players.

So, before anyone could ask, Andrews met the issue head on.

"I would expect that somebody is going to ask the question about '04-05 inthe National Hockey League, and the American Hockey League's position," hebegan. "It is fully our intention to play in '04-05. We are in the midst ofpreparing ourselves for the (possibility) of a labor distraction in the NHL."

That's the good news for fans throughout the 28, (soon to be 29) team AHL.What is yet to be decided is where the players will come from, in the eventof an NHL owner lockout or player strike.

When a similar situation arose during the NHL lockout of 1994, the AHL keptplaying, largely with prospects assigned by the NHL. Nobody, includingAndrews, knows whether that would be an option this time around.

If not, the AHL might be forced to stock its franchises with minor league free agents (of varying quality). That would produce fallout felt below, inthe East Coast, United, and Central Hockey Leagues.

"Obviously we will be working with the NHL as to what our situation might bein the event of a labor stoppage," said Andrews. "But what I can tell you isthat we'll be prepared no matter what that eventuality is. We think we're ina position if the occasion arises that the NHL doesn't play for a long period of time, we'll be playing."

Other items tackled by Andrews:

• Expansion - the AHL will add one team next year (making 29), when theToronto Roadrunners will begin play. The Roadrunners, who in effect will bethe relocated Hamilton Bulldogs, will continue to be an Edmonton Oilers'affiliate.

They will play in the refurbished Ricoh Centre, an ancient building on the grounds of the Canadian Exhibition Centre, which has never housed a hockey team before.

• Andrews said that the leading candidate for the 30th franchise (matchingthe number of teams in the NHL) is Des Moines, Iowa. Des Moines is building a new arena, the Iowa Events Center, which is slated to open in 2005.

"(Des Moines) has a terrific new building on the way, it's an excellentmarket,  and it has the feel of such successful American League cities asManchester and Grand Rapids," said Andrews.

• Relocation - Andrews said that he expects that all 28 of the current teamswill be back in place for the 2003-04 season. "There's no sign of teamswanting to relocate," he said. "Generally by the All-Star break, if someoneis in trouble, I'll know about it."

• Jerseys - The AHL will follow the NHL's lead, next year, and mandate thatthe home team will wear colored jerseys, with the visitors wearing white.

• Also, MLN has learned that the Manchester Monarchs are preparing a bid tohost the 2005 AHL All-Star game in the Verizon Wireless Arena.

"That's what we're shooting for," said Monarchs president Jeffrey Eisenberg.

The 2004 game will be staged in Grand Rapids, MI.