Iowa Chops get Chizzed by Anaheim

**j4state** · 05-10-2009, 09:57 AM

As a hockey fan in DM I am saddened and rather shocked to see this marriage ending. What the management had done with this team in just a year, especially from a marketing standpoint, was pretty impressive.

LINK

**BigBake** · 05-10-2009, 10:01 AM

Didn't they end it a year early too? Do the Chops get $$ since Anahiem killed the contract?

On the plus side if I remember the Chops logo/brand is ours and we can just transfer it to the new affiliation.

**tyrelrobert** · 05-10-2009, 10:03 AM

Yet another reason for me to hate the ducks

**Al_4_State** · 05-10-2009, 10:03 AM

Agreed. Not sure how the Chops "weren't meeting financial obligations". From what I gathered, they were drawing very well for a minor league team. Hopefully the Wild, or the Blues step up and take advantage of the market. It would suck for them to go after a relatively succesful season, from an attendance/fan interest standpoint.

**TarHeelHawk** · 05-10-2009, 10:07 AM

Don't see how anyone is surprised by this. Schlegal had the Stars as well, and they were a dismal failure. Not to mention that they were Anaheims affiliate, as opposed to a team that actually makes sense....you know, like a team close to here.

**Broodwich** · 05-10-2009, 10:12 AM

This was a real shocker. I'm not sure exactly what is going on, but I know that good people are working on getting it fixed. The Blues have an affiliate in Peoria, that is not going to change. I am praying that the Wild thing will pan out but I know that the Aeros do fairly well in Houston. I would bet that Edmonton moves their affiliate to Iowa.

A lot of the AHL's dynamics changed when Quad City left for BC. That is the single biggest thing that will change the landscape of the league. It opens the flood gates for teams to move west to Vegas, Seattle, Portland etc.

For those of you who made it to any Chops games this year, you can testify that the attendance was exponentially improved from the first half of the season. From talking with fans and some of the front office people at the conclusion of the season I think this is a healthy franchise, and that it will be here for at least the foreseeable future.

On the other hand, I trust no-one anymore when it comes to money. There is a lot of speculation that this last year was a big song and dance to buy time until Cedar Park, Texas could build an arena.

There is also a legitimate effort underway by a local group of investors to purchase the Chops from their current Texas-based ownership group. I hope that goes through.

**Tornado man** · 05-10-2009, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Broodwich

On the other hand, I trust no-one anymore when it comes to money. There is a lot of speculation that this last year was a big song and dance to buy time until Cedar Park, Texas could build an arena.

I have to think that this two-year "agreement" had clauses that made it binding. I doubt that Anaheim could break it unless some terms (like financial ones) were not being met.

**AIT** · 05-10-2009, 10:30 AM

Wow, I'm really surprised by this. This could get real ugly if there isn't an AHL franchise in Des Moines next year.

**ISUAlum2002** · 05-10-2009, 10:31 AM

Attendance seemed to have been a lot better than when the Stars were in town. I'm curious of the difference in attendance numbers, and what "financial obligations" were not met, according to the Ducks.

**d4nim4l** · 05-10-2009, 01:19 PM

Ugh. When the NHL parent keeps pulling the plug on a local franchise it makes it real hard to be successful.

Everyone is always complaining how they will never be the Bucs but part of the problem is when you have a non-local ownership group and NHL parents that care more about the bottom line than a good farm system you just cannot succeed.

Hopefully something gets resolved soon and a local ownership group comes through. That would be the best thing that could possibly happen to this franchise.

The Chops did exceptionally well this year getting people in the stands and advertising. I have a hard time believing they did not meet all of their financial obligations. It will be interesting to see who Anaheim selects as their affiliate next year. I would not be surprised to see it be a new team somewhere closer to the west coast.

At least the Chops itself are a separately trademarked entity and we will not have to go through another identity change...

**06_CY** · 05-10-2009, 01:28 PM

Looks like the Corporate Sponsorship team needs to be fired

**CycloneErik** · 05-10-2009, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by Broodwich

This was a real shocker. I'm not sure exactly what is going on, but I know that good people are working on getting it fixed. The Blues have an affiliate in Peoria, that is not going to change. I am praying that the Wild thing will pan out but I know that the Aeros do fairly well in Houston. I would bet that Edmonton moves their affiliate to Iowa.

A lot of the AHL's dynamics changed when Quad City left for BC. That is the single biggest thing that will change the landscape of the league. It opens the flood gates for teams to move west to Vegas, Seattle, Portland etc.

For those of you who made it to any Chops games this year, you can testify that the attendance was exponentially improved from the first half of the season. From talking with fans and some of the front office people at the conclusion of the season I think this is a healthy franchise, and that it will be here for at least the foreseeable future.

On the other hand, I trust no-one anymore when it comes to money. There is a lot of speculation that this last year was a big song and dance to buy time until Cedar Park, Texas could build an arena.

There is also a legitimate effort underway by a local group of investors to purchase the Chops from their current Texas-based ownership group. I hope that goes through.

One of my team leaders at work has season tickets, I think. He loves hockey, and he'd hate to see them gone.

**hurdleisu24** · 05-10-2009, 08:33 PM

I think one of the main problems was and I the Ducks couldn't say it was the travel when they'd call someone up. I know the Wild are playing for the Calder Trophy this year so im not sure they are going to really look hard at moving which stinks. Other than St.Louis,Wild,Chicago,Detroit their isn't a good team that makes sense to have a team in Des Moines but, I really hope someone fills it

**kingcy** · 05-10-2009, 09:24 PM

I cannot believe this is a suprise to some. It was a longshot from day one for hockey at this level to make it in the Des Moines market. There are just not enough die hard fans of the sport. The Bucs to well but they have a good history and have built up a fan base over time. The AHL is making it hard for one of their teams to build that.

**Haverhill** · 05-10-2009, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by ISUAlum2002

Attendance seemed to have been a lot better than when the Stars were in town. I'm curious of the difference in attendance numbers, and what "financial obligations" were not met, according to the Ducks.

They had to open up the 300 level for the final game of the year! The ****-looking ice was comical, but it did bring fans!