T1B

Cincinnati has been given a voluntary suspension of operations for 05-06 due to the fact that the Ducks pulled their affiliation agreement after 8 years. Utah has also been given a voluntary suspension of their AHL membership.

Not sure what is going to happen to Cincinnati, but on the Utah Grizzlies website, they say to stay tuned for big news about hockey at the E center. My guess is that Utah takes one of the suspended ECHL franchises (Putting 11 teams in the Western Division, I'm pretty sure more than 4 teams will make the playoffs in 05-06) or goes to the CHL.

Cincinnati will be back in the AHL in 06/07 with a new NHL affiliate. Rumor has it that Cincinnati is talking to San Jose, Edmonton, and Florida about a deal starting in 06. Don't be surprised if Columbus ends up moving their AHL affiliate to Cincinnati. Their contract with Syracuse is up after 05/06 and Cincinnati would be a much better fit.

I'm very sorry to see the Ducks leave Cincinnati. The fans there have been great and I don't know why Ducks ownership is moving the team to Portland. Cincinnati has outdrawn Portland and is much closer to Anaheim. Good luck to the AHL Ducks in Portland and I hope Cincinnati fans end up with a great deal with a good NHL franchise.