PHILADELPHIA, Pa – In a statement released on the Philadelphia Flyers web site, the Philadelphia Phantoms, the AHL affiliate of the Flyers, will me moving to the Glens Falls, New York, and will start play next season in the Glens Falls Civic Center and will be known as the Adirondack Phantoms. It was announced during the American Hockey League Board of Governors meetings which approved the sale of the Phantoms from Comcast-Spectacor, the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm, to the Brooks Group of Pittsburgh, PA, who also own the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL, as well as have financial interests in the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and two minor league baseball teams: the State College Spikes (Class A for the Pirates), and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class A for the Atlanta Braves). “This is a very exciting announcement for the City of Glens Falls,” said Glens Falls Mayor Jack Diamond. “We have been waiting for the return of a professional hockey team to this region for quite a while. We look forward to making Glens Falls, a supporting and enthusiastic home for the Phantoms.” “We’re excited that the Phantoms will be playing in Glens Falls,” said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko. “The Glens Falls market is rich in hockey history, and we’re glad that the Brooks Group will continue the tradition of the Phantoms by playing in Glens Falls. “It’s also very exciting for us as our management company, Global Spectrum, operates the Glens Falls Civic Center, and having the Phantoms occupy 40 plus dates is an immediate boost to our success there,” added Luukko. “Having the Phantoms continue playing next season is a tremendous advantage for us,” said Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren. “We will be able to make frequent trips to Glens Falls to closely monitor the development of future Philadelphia Flyers.” Before the Phantoms came into existence, the Hershey Bears were the Flyers primary AHL affiliate. The lease with the Civic Center is for three years with two option years, so the Phantoms will be in Glens Falls at least through 2011-12. The AHL granted the Flyers an AHL franchise back on December 18, 1995. The Phantoms won the Calder Cup twice, the first time on June 10, 1998 in front of a sell out crowd of 17,380 fans at the Wachovia Spectrum. At the time it was the largest crowd ever to see a Calder Cup playoff game in AHL history. Than on June 10, 2005, the Phantoms set a new attendance record when they won their second Calder Cup in front of 20,103. In addition to managing the Glens Falls Civic Center, Global Spectrum manages more than 80 other arenas, stadiums and convention centers throughout North America. Once the decision was made that the Wachovia Spectrum was to be demolished by Comcast-Spectacor, the Phantoms fate was sealed. Rumors began to swirl as to their next destination. Trenton, N.J. and Atlantic City, N.J. were considered as alternatives but with declining attendance in Trenton with the Titans/Devils (ECHL), and poor attendance when AC had hockey teams in years past, those cities were passed over. PHN has learned that the Phantoms could have moved to Reading, Pa, where the ECHL’s Reading Royals currently play, but Allentown, Pa turned out to be a more desirable future destination, and still could be should funding for a new arena be approved by August. Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.