The president and CEO remains hopeful that the American Hockey League could finally reach its goal of 30 farm teams for 30 NHL clubs as early as next year.
During his annual state of the league address, which was made available at theahl.com, Dave Andrews said it was possible the league could expand from 29 to 30 teams for 2010-11.
'Not certain'
"We may well be at 30 teams, it's not the highest priority that we have but if we could get to 30 active teams it would be an accomplishment for us," said Andrews. "We're not certain of doing it, but we may well do it."
The Edmonton Oilers, who own a dormant AHL franchise and are currently operating in Springfield, Mass., are trying to get a deal done in Oklahoma City which could bring that 30th team.
Should the Oilers move out of Springfield, Andrews expects another NHL team to move in.
There are five or six affiliation agreements expiring at season's end, but Andrews expects a couple of those to be renewed in the coming weeks.
Despite the world-wide recession that has impacted many professional sports franchises, Andrews said the AHL has weathered the storm reasonably well.
Unlike in year's past, the board of governors didn't discuss the merits of shrinking the schedule from 80 to 72 games but that Pandora's box might be reopened during the next few months.
"Most of our teams believe it's the right thing to do at one point, but that didn't add up to 75% of the votes and that's what we need to make a change like that," said Andrews, referring to past votes. "I think it's the right thing to do but I understand the argument of those who don't."
Andrews noted that the site for the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic has not yet been determined, but as far as the format goes, the 2011 showcase will go back to the roots of the first-ever AHL All-star game in 1942, which features an Eastern Conference vs Western Conference battle, complete with throwback uniforms.
"It's going to be a central piece of celebrating our 75th anniversary season," said Andrews. "Our objective is to be in one of our more historic cities."
The front-runner at this stage appears to be Hershey, Pa.
ken.wiebe@sunmedia.ca
