OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – “That’s exciting” exclaimed Josh Evans, communications director for Prodigal Hockey LLC., responding to the return of hockey to Oklahoma City, and the higher level of play the AHL brings. Oklahoma City isn’t the only city to gain an AHL team for the 2010-2011 season. Charlotte, N.C. also has been added. “Every year the affiliations are up, so teams have the option to move. There has been Columbus moving their affiliation to Syracuse. There is always fluctuation in that environment,” Evans said.
The press conference to announce the AHL team name “Barons” was held in the Cox Convention Center, on May 19. Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins was present to help Prodigal Hockey owner Bob Funk Jr. unveil the logo for the jerseys. A copper colored oil derrick, with blue trim and white lettering of “Barons” was the design presented. Visiting dignitaries from the parent Edmonton Oilers included Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Lowe and Assistant General Manager Rick Olczyk. The Barons will be a part of the historic 75th season of AHL hockey.
“With the AHL there are a lot more contracts, they carry more players on their roster, and have 80 regular season games,” Evans said. When asked to speculate which players would be coming to Oklahoma City, Evans said, “There are so many things to consider: some guys are on a two-way contract, some guys are on an AHL only contract.”
He further explained some players, but not all, will be property of Edmonton. “After the NHL draft, we can talk about the players and where they can potentially fit in,” Evans said. The rookie requirements for the AHL are players who enter the season with fewer than 25 games of professional experience in North America, or fewer than 100 games in a European elite league.
“They will play in the Cox Center, it is a place they can call home,” Evans said. “They have the potential for much more practice time at the Cox Center than compared to previous seasons. We also have the capability to work with SMG (the arena’s operators) to help sell some of the permanent signage, like on the scoreboard, with is an added benefit to us.”
Merchandise is currently on-line only at this time. Renovations at the Cox Center will include a team store, and should be ready for the Oct. 9 home opener. Fans knew Prodigal Hockey was serious about an AHL team when they filed a letter of intent with the city council in July of 2009. The council unanimously accepted the letter of intent, which included a five-year lease for the Cox Center. This February, the AHL Board of Governors approved the relocation of the farm team for the Edmonton Oilers to Oklahoma City. The franchise had been in Springfield, Massachusetts for three seasons.
Oklahoma City was without a professional hockey team for the 2009-2010 season after the Blazers folded, following 17 seasons in the re-birth of the CHL. With games in the Ford Center, and competition for game dates with a very popular NBA team, the Blazers did not have their choice of weekend dates.
“The way the schedule was at the Ford Center, it didn’t feel like home,” Evans said. ” There were a lot of practices at practice facilities.”
When asked if economics played a factor in the decision to fold the bBazers, Evans said, “the business of operating was no longer a lucrative business, and he [Bob Funk Sr.] is a businessman.”
The next announcement from the Barons’ is anticipated to be the selection of a general manager, who will be responsible for hiring a coach.
“Anything that has to do with hockey operations — coaches, the coming-and-going of players, who they sign, training staff, medical staff and equipment staff, all is decided by Edmonton,” Evans said.
With the NHL draft slated for June 25 and 26, the Oilers wish to have their AHL front office in place. The Oilers have the distinction of owning the first pick of the 2010 NHL draft.
“The main camp is up in Edmonton and starts Aug. 30,” Evans said.
The AHL regular-season schedule is usually released in early August. Preseason games typically occur in mid-September.
The press conference did not reveal which division of the league the Barons will play in.
“The Western Division of San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Chicago, Milwaukee, Peoria and Rockford, makes the most sense,” Evans said.
Contact Gail.Hamill@prohockeynews.com
