LOVELAND, Colo. – The Colorado Eagles have announced a press conference set for Tuesday at 2:00 pm MST at the Budweiser Events Center during which many expect the organization will announce their plans to leave the Central Hockey League. 
Several reliable sources have confirmed (off the record) that the team will in fact move to the ECHL, taking the place of the Victoria Salmon Kings in the Mountain Division of the league’s Western Conference. The ECHL’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the withdrawal of the Salmon Kings from the league earlier this month, following their owners’ purchase of a Western Hockey League franchise.
Widely recognized as the most successful franchise in the CHL, the Eagles have sold out nearly every home game (5,289 seats) since they first took the ice on October 17, 2003 and maintain a waiting list for prospective season ticket holders.
During their eight seasons in the league, the Eagles have won three regular season titles, six division championships, four conference championships and two President’s Cup championships. They very nearly won a third championship last week, but were stymied by the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, who took early control of a forced Game 7 and never let go, earning their fist championship win in a decade. 
T he Eagles organization sent a less than subtle signal about their intentions when their season ticket renewal packages were received by most fans in late March. The Eagles announced that they will be playing 36 home games in 2011-12, which just happens to be the same number as teams competing in the ECHL. Considered one of the worst-kept secrets in the league, if the reports are true and the Eagles confirm a move to the ECHL tomorrow, they will be the second Central Hockey League team to depart, following the Odessa Jackalopes, who have moved to the North American Hockey League, a Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The announcement will be carried live on 107.9 The Bear, the radio home of the Eagles. In addition, a video and audio feed from the press conference will be broadcast live via streaming internet at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/colorado-eagles . Contact the writer/photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
