Liberty Bell Sports -> River Rats to move to Charlotte

River Rats to move to Charlotte

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Realdeal91

Posted: Jan 22 2010, 12:27 PM

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QUOTE

Reports today out of Raleigh, N.C., indicate that the Albany River Rats have been sold and will move to Charlotte, though the top executive of the local American Hockey League team said this morning that he is unaware of any transaction.

Garen Szablewski, president and CEO of the River Rats, said that owner Walter Robb is "looking at number of different options in terms of affiliations and future of the franchise," but he is unaware that any deal has been struck.
Robb is traveling today and has not been reached for comment.

The Carolina Hurricanes, who play in the National Hockey League, are in their fourth season as the River Rats' parent club. The agreement between the Carolina and Albany teams expires at the end of the season. Robb has said he is looking to sell the franchise, in its 17th year, but on the contingency that it remains in Albany.

Under that scenario, the Hurricanes would have needed to purchase another AHL franchise and move it to Charlotte, and the Rats could have acquired another NHL affiliation. A report in today's Raleigh News & Observer stated that it's "expected" that the Hurricanes prospects will play in Charlotte next season and "it appears the (Rats) franchise will be sold and moved to Charlotte."

"I know that (Robb) was looking at that," Szablewski said. "I wasn't aware that it's something that was something that was imminent or a No. 1 option for him. I really can't speak on his behalf in that situation because I'm not privy to all the conversations he has."

On the ice, the Rats are enjoying their most successful season since 1998-99, when they were a New Jersey Devils affiliate. They enter tonight's game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Times Union Center in second place in the AHL's East Division.

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story...?storyID=892117

Realdeal91	Posted: Jan 22 2010, 12:32 PM
Tagging at 2nd Group: Admin Posts: 14,925 Member No.: 1 Joined: 23-April 09	Couple things I think of from this: I thought the River Rats were pretty successful (not in the standings but as a team, popularity in that area). But obviously Carolina probably wants a team closer to them. And it gives Norfolk a natural rival, since the closest team from them is like 6 hours away, currently. But it takes away from a rivalry with the Phantoms, and if the Phantoms leave (like rumored in a couple years) that will put no teams in the area. Did the Phantoms beat out the Rats? Is hockey dying in upstate NY?

Realdeal91	Posted: Jan 22 2010, 06:17 PM
Tagging at 2nd Group: Admin Posts: 14,925 Member No.: 1 Joined: 23-April 09	According to Phantoms beat writer Tim McManus, Carolina has wanted a closer team for a couple years now, and the Rats are struggling in attendance (25th of 29). Which begs my question, is it because the team stunk for a while (with attendance struggling for the last couple years) or is it because the Phantoms moved in and took over?

Realdeal91	Posted: Feb 8 2010, 06:41 PM
Tagging at 2nd Group: Admin Posts: 14,925 Member No.: 1 Joined: 23-April 09	Sounds like it is going to happen. Wednesday at 2:00.

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