The American Hockey League, with its roots historically entrenched east of the Mississippi, has heeded Greeley’s call by sending five franchises to California as part of a reconfiguration of its ranks.
The five teams — the Stockton Heat (formerly the Adirondack Flames), San Jose Barracuda (Worcester Sharks), Bakersfield Condor (Oklahoma City Barons), Ontario Reign (Manchester Monarchs) and San Diego Gulls (Norfolk Admirals) — will form the new Pacific Division along with the Texas Stars and San Antonio Rampage.
In return, three ECHLteams — the Stockton Thunder, Ontario Reign and Bakersfield Condors — will fill the void by relocating to former AHL cities.