So, the "Stockton Thunder" will be no more soon? Calgary Flames are moving their AAA team to Stockton so they will be an AHL team instead of a ECHL affiliate and the team will be holding a naming contest. Looking forward to more hockey in Stockton, and apparently of higher quality!
http://www.stocktonthunder.com/2015/01/29/flames-unveil-plans-for-future-in-stockton/
From the article:
The Stockton Thunder proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Islanders and the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, held a press conference to announce today that the Calgary Flames of the NHL have officially purchased the Stockton Thunder franchise and will be moving their AHL franchise to Stockton beginning in the 2015-16 hockey season.
“To use a baseball analogy, this will be our top ‘Triple-A’ affiliate,” Treliving said. “This move is significant to our development of a Stanley Cup champion in Calgary for multiple reasons. First off, Stockton Arena is a world-class facility that is the envy of not just ECHL teams, but AHL teams as well. Having our players play at a top-notch facility was paramount. Also, the fans pack the house here every night; we look forward to that same support for the new team.”
The Flames are not the only NHL team bringing their AHL affiliate west, as the Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks will round out the five-team Pacific Division in the AHL with teams in San Diego, Bakersfield, Ontario, and San Jose respectively.