Howson: "Owners Will Decide What's Best" Regarding Roadrunners
The AHL Commissioner has been in talks with Tucson ownership, but the final decision on a possible move lies elsewhere.
On Friday, April 26, AHL Commissioner Scott Howson attended Game 2 of a first round match-up between the Abbotsford Canucks and Colorado Eagles in Loveland, CO. While sharing press row, Loosely Affiliated had an opportunity to speak with Commissioner Howson regarding a couple of topics. First, he addressed the Tucson Roadrunners potential move to Tempe.
When asked if Alex Meruelo had reached out to the league, Howson stated that a lot would need to fall into place before the Roadrunners relocated.
“I'm in constant contact with Alex Meruelo Jr.; he's in charge of the AHL team. So, we've been talking to them. They are still working through what they want to do. There's lots of moving pieces in this. It's still very much a work in progress. I can't tell you that it's going to go one way or another; I think the process has to play itself out.”
Howson continued, saying that the ultimate decision for relocation lies with the AHL Board of Governors.
“Our owners will decide what's best for us. Tucson has been a good market for us; it's worked well for the Arizona Coyotes. I'm not anxious to leave there, but if that's what Alex and his company want to do, we will see if our board will approve that move.”
The Board of Governors are scheduled to meet in May to discuss relocation.
NO MORE LONE WOLVES?
The second topic discussed was the Chicago Wolves. After going independent for the 2023-24 season, the Wolves are now rumored to rekindle an official relationship with the Carolina Hurricanes. It's something Commissioner Howson has been toiling away at to get resolved.
“I've worked on this for the better part of ten months. What I can tell you is that everybody is working on a solution, and the solution is not done yet. We're hopeful to have Carolina affiliated in the AHL and Chicago not as independent, but that's as far as I'll go right now.”
Chicago became the first independent AHL franchise in almost 30 years when its three-year NHL affiliation agreement with Carolina expired last offseason. The Wolves began accepting reassigned players from Carolina as early as November. Chicago finished the regular season last out of seven teams in the Central Divison with a 25-35-14 record.
The Wolves took Ryan Wagner but they can't have Burke!!