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LOCAL OWNERSHIP GROUP, QC SPORTS VENTURES INC., BRINGS THE AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE TO THE QUAD CITIES
Calgary Flames’ Primary Affiliate Takes to the Ice This Fall
For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Moline, IL- Dennis Voss, President of QC Sports Ventures Inc., announced today that the Calgary Flames of the NHL will bring their American Hockey League affiliate to the Quad Cities to begin play this fall. The move is subject to AHL Board of Governor approval at a meeting scheduled for Friday, May 25, 2007. The team’s move to the The MARK of the Quad Cities is also subject to ratification by the Illinois Quad City Civic Center Authority.
“We’re very excited to welcome the Flames organization to the Quad Cities,” said team President Tim Taylor. “The Calgary organization has a tremendous track record, and the American Hockey League is a great fit for this market. Our fans have been very loyal, and we’re honored to bring to them the American Hockey League.”
The American Hockey League is the top professional developmental hockey league in the world; more than 83 percent of players who played in the NHL during the 2006-07 season were graduates of the AHL. NHL stars Miikka Kirpusoff (Calgary Flames), Jason Spezza (Ottawa Senators), Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils) and Daniel Briere (Buffalo Sabres) are among hundreds of current NHL players who honed their skills in the AHL. Founded in 1936, the AHL will play its 72nd season in 2007-08 with an all-time high of 29 teams. This season marks the sixth consecutive year in which more than 6 million fans have attended AHL games across North America .
“There was great interest in possible relocation of our team and through recent discussions we became convinced that the Quad Cities market, The MARK of the Quad Cities, the enthusiastic local ownership group and the existing fan base are ideally suited for our AHL franchise,” said Calgary Flames President & CEO Ken King.
“I am thrilled to welcome the Quad Cities to the AHL family and look forward to the rivalries and bringing the excitement of the AHL to the Quad Cities region, “ said AHL President & CEO David Andrews.
The Calgary Flames have been a member of the National Hockey League since 1980 and will celebrate their 28th season with the 2007-08 campaign. During their tenure, the Flames played in the Stanley Cup Finals on three occasions, winning the championship in 1989. The Calgary Flames will send their top young talent to the Quad Cities. During the 2006-07 season, the Flames AHL affiliate played in Omaha , Nebraska and recorded the best record in the AHL’s Western Division and Conference. Nine members of the 2006-07 team earned NHL call-ups to Calgary last season.
To make way for the new franchise, the Quad City Mallards will cease operations in the United Hockey League.
“The local ownership group gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the players, coaches and fans of the Mallards in the Quad Cities community over the past 12 years,” said Voss.
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For Information Contact:
Aaron Roof Peter Hanlon
Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations VP, Communications
c: (563) 940-6443 Calgary Flames Hockey Club
o: (309) 764-7825 phanlon@calgaryflames.com
(403) 777-3684
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