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Friday, Oct. 15, 2004
With the AHL's 69th season ready to get underway, league President and CEO Dave Andrews recently took some time to answer your questions about the league.
Chat transcript: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV
Q: With the NHL not playing as of yet, are there any plans in the works to broadcast any AHL games on TV (Fox Sports Nets, ESPN, etc.)? Thank you! -- Bill from Northbridge, Mass.
DA: Probably the most common question we've received since September 15 has been about television coverage of the AHL in the absence of NHL hockey because of the lockout. The AHL recently announced a national television contract with Rogers Sportsnet in Canada. Sportsnet will carry a minimum of 22 games featuring our Canadian based teams, as well as the All-Star Classic. Elsewhere in Canada, TSN will be carrying the St. John's Maple Leafs' games at the Air Canada Centre in December, and we anticipate that our clubs may generate additional regional coverage as well.
In the United States, we are in the final stages of negotiating an agreement with ESPN2 to carry the 2005 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic nationally. Many of our clubs are in discussions with regional sports networks, and we anticipate that our usual volume of live televised games (200-plus) will be significantly greater should the NHL labor stoppage be of a long duration.
We've been in discussions with networks for months, but the bottom line is that the final decision on programming rests with the networks themselves. I hope that the many fans expressing an interest in AHL televised games will contact their regional sports networks to encourage coverage.
(Thanks also to Steve in La Grange, Ill.; Jeff in Minneapolis; Scott in Waukesha, Wis.; A.J. in Wilkes-Barre; Jennifer in San Antonio; Mike in Bridgeport; Chris in Colorado Springs and Dave in St. Joseph, Mich., for your questions about TV coverage.)
Q: What is your take on the NHL lockout? Meaning, how do you think that it will effect the AHL this year economically and socially? -- Colin from Binghamton, N.Y.
Q: Mr. Andrews, a majority of the first-round NHL draft picks over the past five seasons will be playing in the AHL this year. In your estimation is this the best overall talent level that the AHL has ever seen? -- Ethan, Vancouver, B.C.
Q: I'm sure you're going to get a lot of questions relating to the NHL lockout and how it will affect your league. Here's mine: Do you plan to do any extra promotions to raise awareness for how great the AHL is? I think the Canada broadcasts will be a great help, and I'm sure American fans would like to see something similar. -- Jen, Hartford, Conn.
Q: With the NHL locked down, do you feel the fan base will expand for the AHL? Do you think the NHL fans will look at the other leauges? -- Michael, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
DA: The NHL labor stoppage will clearly benefit the AHL over the short term. Our player supply is perhaps the strongest it has ever been, with a significant number of players competing in our League this year who otherwise would have been full-time NHL players. The addition of these players to a player pool which already features more than 200 first- and second-round NHL draft picks, and where more than half of the players also played in the NHL last season, provides tremendously compelling competition for our fans.
We're also benefiting from significantly greater media exposure across North America, with coverage in major national newspapers (USA Today, National Post), in papers in NHL cities (Los Angeles Times, New York Times) and on national Web sites like ESPN.com and Sportsnet.ca. This exposure broadens the awareness of the outstanding hockey which the AHL provides, bringing the information to fans who may not normally see our games. Our attendance will be stronger across the League as a result of this exposure, and I anticipate that we will see much stronger attendance numbers in and around markets which we share with NHL clubs.
Q: My parents live near Bridgeport, so we go to games all the time there. Nobody can be happy the NHL is locked out but does it excite you a little that all the hockey fans focus will be on your league this year, possibly even if the pros do come back? -- David from Taunton, Mass.
DA: A quick comment first, if I may, to point out that our players are pros. Full-time, well-compensated, and highly-skilled athletes.
With respect to the Sound Tigers, we are very upbeat about the fact that the New York Islanders have purchased the team. I expect that we are going to see a significant amount of growth in the fan base as the Islanders are very committed to providing the resources to market effectively and connect with the community in Bridgeport and the surrounding area. Under Charles Wang the Islanders have done an excellent job of rebuilding, and the Sound Tigers will be the beneficiary of that same energy and vision.
The focus on the AHL by fans and the media will certainly make this an exciting season, but we're all still hoping for a speedy end to the NHL work stoppage.
Q: What player is the biggest shock to you that came to the AHL this year with the NHL lockout in place? -- Geoff from Warren, R.I.
DA: That's an excellent question. I fully expected all of the top entry level players from the NHL to be assigned to the AHL, including such great players as Jason Spezza and Jay Bouwmeester, so I wasn't shocked to see that happen. I was surprised to see a veteran free agent player like Dean McAmmond come to our league in Albany, but very pleasantly surprised as he is a high quality player and person whom I had the pleasure of knowing when we were both in the Oilers organization.
The signing of Patrice Bergeron by Providence is probably the most significant unexpected signing in my opinion. He is a terrific young player who clearly was among the elite rookies in the NHL last season.
Q: Because of the NHL's lockout, do you think the AHL's attendance will rise? And did that happen in the previous lockout? -- Richard from Waltham, Mass.
DA: Yes, we experienced an increase in attendance in 1994-95, when the NHL season did not start until January. But since we've seen attendance increases almost every year since the mid-1980's, it's difficult to say how much of that was attributable to the NHL labor situation at the time.
Q: Insomuch as the NHL is not operating at this time and some NHL players have signed AHL contracts, has the rule in the AHL which stipulates that only so many veterans may dress been relaxed? -- Allen from Jamestown, R.I.
DA: The AHL roster regulations have not been relaxed, and as I look at most of our opening day rosters, the number of young, talented entry level players has in fact increased. Most teams are not close to the limit with respect to veteran players. We believe that over the last decade, we've found the optimum balance of younger and veteran players. It provides NHL clubs with the player development opportunity which is critical to the AHL's success, and it also maintains that solid core of veteran leadership which young players and teams benefit from.
You can see that success in recent Calder Cup champions like Milwaukee, Houston and Chicago -- they all had an excellent mix of bright young talent and solid veteran leadership. The AHL has benefited greatly from the high energy game which this mix of players generates.
Q: This season, the AHL is experimenting with several new rules and regulations. If the AHL does not experience a success with some these changes this season, and the NHL chooses not to adopt some or simply cannot due to the work stoppage, will the AHL keep the rulebook the same for the 2005-06 season? If the AHL feels one of the changes is a success, but the NHL options not to adopt it, will the AHL keep this change? In addition, because the limited test of the rule restricting the areas where goaltenders may play the puck is such a significant rule change, do you believe seven weeks is enough time to adequately evaluate such a rule, while the other rule changes have no time restriction? -- Mitchell from Rochester, N.Y.
DA: I'll try to address these very legitimate questions one at a time: First, if we're not happy with any of the changes put in place this year, the Board of Governors can vote to eliminate any or all of them for 2005-06.
Your second question is a difficult one. We want our rules to be very close to the NHL's, because of the large number of players who shuttle between the two leagues every year. Hopefully we won't encounter a situation where we feel a change is successful but the NHL chooses not to adopt it (or vice versa).
We established the seven-week period in consultation with our principal hockey committees, and we do feel it will be a sufficient period of time to evalute the impact. If we are happy with it we will maintain the rule for the balance of the year.
Chat transcript: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV
Dave Andrews Q&A
With the AHL's 69th season ready to get underway, league President and CEO Dave Andrews recently took some time to answer your questions about the league.Chat transcript: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV
Q: With the NHL not playing as of yet, are there any plans in the works to broadcast any AHL games on TV (Fox Sports Nets, ESPN, etc.)? Thank you! -- Bill from Northbridge, Mass.
DA: Probably the most common question we've received since September 15 has been about television coverage of the AHL in the absence of NHL hockey because of the lockout. The AHL recently announced a national television contract with Rogers Sportsnet in Canada. Sportsnet will carry a minimum of 22 games featuring our Canadian based teams, as well as the All-Star Classic. Elsewhere in Canada, TSN will be carrying the St. John's Maple Leafs' games at the Air Canada Centre in December, and we anticipate that our clubs may generate additional regional coverage as well.
In the United States, we are in the final stages of negotiating an agreement with ESPN2 to carry the 2005 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic nationally. Many of our clubs are in discussions with regional sports networks, and we anticipate that our usual volume of live televised games (200-plus) will be significantly greater should the NHL labor stoppage be of a long duration.
We've been in discussions with networks for months, but the bottom line is that the final decision on programming rests with the networks themselves. I hope that the many fans expressing an interest in AHL televised games will contact their regional sports networks to encourage coverage.
(Thanks also to Steve in La Grange, Ill.; Jeff in Minneapolis; Scott in Waukesha, Wis.; A.J. in Wilkes-Barre; Jennifer in San Antonio; Mike in Bridgeport; Chris in Colorado Springs and Dave in St. Joseph, Mich., for your questions about TV coverage.)
Q: What is your take on the NHL lockout? Meaning, how do you think that it will effect the AHL this year economically and socially? -- Colin from Binghamton, N.Y.
Q: Mr. Andrews, a majority of the first-round NHL draft picks over the past five seasons will be playing in the AHL this year. In your estimation is this the best overall talent level that the AHL has ever seen? -- Ethan, Vancouver, B.C.
Q: I'm sure you're going to get a lot of questions relating to the NHL lockout and how it will affect your league. Here's mine: Do you plan to do any extra promotions to raise awareness for how great the AHL is? I think the Canada broadcasts will be a great help, and I'm sure American fans would like to see something similar. -- Jen, Hartford, Conn.
Q: With the NHL locked down, do you feel the fan base will expand for the AHL? Do you think the NHL fans will look at the other leauges? -- Michael, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
DA: The NHL labor stoppage will clearly benefit the AHL over the short term. Our player supply is perhaps the strongest it has ever been, with a significant number of players competing in our League this year who otherwise would have been full-time NHL players. The addition of these players to a player pool which already features more than 200 first- and second-round NHL draft picks, and where more than half of the players also played in the NHL last season, provides tremendously compelling competition for our fans.
We're also benefiting from significantly greater media exposure across North America, with coverage in major national newspapers (USA Today, National Post), in papers in NHL cities (Los Angeles Times, New York Times) and on national Web sites like ESPN.com and Sportsnet.ca. This exposure broadens the awareness of the outstanding hockey which the AHL provides, bringing the information to fans who may not normally see our games. Our attendance will be stronger across the League as a result of this exposure, and I anticipate that we will see much stronger attendance numbers in and around markets which we share with NHL clubs.
Q: My parents live near Bridgeport, so we go to games all the time there. Nobody can be happy the NHL is locked out but does it excite you a little that all the hockey fans focus will be on your league this year, possibly even if the pros do come back? -- David from Taunton, Mass.
DA: A quick comment first, if I may, to point out that our players are pros. Full-time, well-compensated, and highly-skilled athletes.
With respect to the Sound Tigers, we are very upbeat about the fact that the New York Islanders have purchased the team. I expect that we are going to see a significant amount of growth in the fan base as the Islanders are very committed to providing the resources to market effectively and connect with the community in Bridgeport and the surrounding area. Under Charles Wang the Islanders have done an excellent job of rebuilding, and the Sound Tigers will be the beneficiary of that same energy and vision.
The focus on the AHL by fans and the media will certainly make this an exciting season, but we're all still hoping for a speedy end to the NHL work stoppage.
Q: What player is the biggest shock to you that came to the AHL this year with the NHL lockout in place? -- Geoff from Warren, R.I.
DA: That's an excellent question. I fully expected all of the top entry level players from the NHL to be assigned to the AHL, including such great players as Jason Spezza and Jay Bouwmeester, so I wasn't shocked to see that happen. I was surprised to see a veteran free agent player like Dean McAmmond come to our league in Albany, but very pleasantly surprised as he is a high quality player and person whom I had the pleasure of knowing when we were both in the Oilers organization.
The signing of Patrice Bergeron by Providence is probably the most significant unexpected signing in my opinion. He is a terrific young player who clearly was among the elite rookies in the NHL last season.
Q: Because of the NHL's lockout, do you think the AHL's attendance will rise? And did that happen in the previous lockout? -- Richard from Waltham, Mass.
DA: Yes, we experienced an increase in attendance in 1994-95, when the NHL season did not start until January. But since we've seen attendance increases almost every year since the mid-1980's, it's difficult to say how much of that was attributable to the NHL labor situation at the time.
Q: Insomuch as the NHL is not operating at this time and some NHL players have signed AHL contracts, has the rule in the AHL which stipulates that only so many veterans may dress been relaxed? -- Allen from Jamestown, R.I.
DA: The AHL roster regulations have not been relaxed, and as I look at most of our opening day rosters, the number of young, talented entry level players has in fact increased. Most teams are not close to the limit with respect to veteran players. We believe that over the last decade, we've found the optimum balance of younger and veteran players. It provides NHL clubs with the player development opportunity which is critical to the AHL's success, and it also maintains that solid core of veteran leadership which young players and teams benefit from.
You can see that success in recent Calder Cup champions like Milwaukee, Houston and Chicago -- they all had an excellent mix of bright young talent and solid veteran leadership. The AHL has benefited greatly from the high energy game which this mix of players generates.
Q: This season, the AHL is experimenting with several new rules and regulations. If the AHL does not experience a success with some these changes this season, and the NHL chooses not to adopt some or simply cannot due to the work stoppage, will the AHL keep the rulebook the same for the 2005-06 season? If the AHL feels one of the changes is a success, but the NHL options not to adopt it, will the AHL keep this change? In addition, because the limited test of the rule restricting the areas where goaltenders may play the puck is such a significant rule change, do you believe seven weeks is enough time to adequately evaluate such a rule, while the other rule changes have no time restriction? -- Mitchell from Rochester, N.Y.
DA: I'll try to address these very legitimate questions one at a time: First, if we're not happy with any of the changes put in place this year, the Board of Governors can vote to eliminate any or all of them for 2005-06.
Your second question is a difficult one. We want our rules to be very close to the NHL's, because of the large number of players who shuttle between the two leagues every year. Hopefully we won't encounter a situation where we feel a change is successful but the NHL chooses not to adopt it (or vice versa).
We established the seven-week period in consultation with our principal hockey committees, and we do feel it will be a sufficient period of time to evalute the impact. If we are happy with it we will maintain the rule for the balance of the year.
Chat transcript: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV