Rolf Spaeti Says: With the Abbotsford Centre sitting mostly empty, is it time to have another go at AHL hockey? A planned Pacific Division is imminent. Calgary, San Jose, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Arizona and Winnipeg are on board.
Abbotsford/Canucks are on the outside looking in. My suggestion is to apply for and run an independent
franchise while waiting for the Canucks to finally make the inevitable happen.
I’m sure a viable group can be formed ( the owners of the Canadians might be interested to run a franchise in a similar manner as the Baseball Canadians).
The team could be named the Abbotsford Hawks ( it is the name used for all minor hockey here. It would be appealing and bringing back the Hawkeye mascot would be a no-brainer. A Booster Club ( formerly the Heat Generation) is still intact and a registered charity. As the co-chairperson, I am aware that the group has taken a leave for this season.
Editor’s Note: On Thursday the AHL announced it will create a Pacific Division by moving the farm teams of five NHL teams to California.
The Ducks, the Flames, the Oilers, the Kings and the Sharks will all be moving their teams west.
There has been no news that the Vancouver Canucks have any plans to move their farm team from Utica, New York.
Helen Hughes Says:
As the Secretary for Heat Generation – the official Booster Club of the Abbotsford Heat, I would like to clarify a couple of the facts in Rolf Spaeiti’s article.
The club is a registered society, not a registered charity. This is a small but important distinction as the club is not able to offer tax receipts for either monetary or gift-in-kind donations as a registered charity would be able to do.
Rolf was instrumental in the formation of the Booster Club and made a big contribution as the founding Co-Chair for a number of years. The Board of Directors and our members are very grateful for all his hard work. At the AGM held in September 2014 Rolf decided to step down, so it would be more accurate to describe him as the former Co-Chair.
Helen Hughes
Secretary
Heat Generation Booster Club
Via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Today-Media