All Around the AHL

In our last issue, we told you about the relocation of the Toronto Roadrunners to Edmonton for the 2004-05 season. Since then, the franchise introduced a minor tweak to its name – henceforth to be known in print as “Road Runners” – and a major change to its logo, dumping Wile E. Coyote’s arch nemesis for a modernized fowl that looks both slightly deranged and, quite frankly, a little frightening.

Speaking of logo launchings, the AHL’s newest franchise unveiled its logo, name and affiliation during an August 24 press conference in Des Moines . The team will take to the ice at Wells Fargo Arena in 2005-06 as the Iowa Stars, after signing a five-year affiliation agreement with the NHL ’s Dallas Stars. For more information on the franchise, visit www.iowastarshockey.com.

While the AHL welcomes corn-fed Midwesterners to its fold, it prepares to bid a sad goodbye to the city of St. John’s , Newfoundland . “The Rock,” which has served as home to the Maple Leafs since 1991, will witness its final season of AHL hockey. The parent Toronto Maple Leafs will relocate their affiliate to Ontario ’s capital for the 2005-06 campaign in order to better develop and monitor the NHL team’s prospects.

On the coaching front, Geoff Ward has made the transition from Toronto to Edmonton to continue serving as the head coach of the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, while Dave Cameron was chosen by the Ottawa Senators to lead their charges in Binghamton . Cameron, who takes over for John Paddock , now an assistant coach in Ottawa, comes to Bingo from the OHL’s Toronto St. Michael's Majors, where he had served as head coach and director of hockey operations since 2000. Current Griffins Darryl Bootland and Matt Ellis both played for Cameron during their junior careers.