The Calgary Flames today introduced the Adirondack Flames as their development affiliate in the American Hockey League. The Adirondack Flames inaugural campaign will begin at the Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls, N.Y., this fall.
“The Calgary Flames are dedicated to developing players in the American Hockey League, and are excited at the prospect of moving to a mature hockey market like Glens Falls that deserves to remain an AHL market,” noted Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving. “The history and tradition of the Flames franchise goes back to the team’s birth as the Atlanta Flames and we are proud to also pay tribute to our history with the introduction of a new version of the flaming “A” here in Adirondack. We look forward to building on Glens Falls’ rich hockey history.”
At a news conference today in Glens Falls, Calgary Flames representatives, including Treliving, Adirondack Flames president Brian Petrovek, and Glens Falls mayor John Diamond introduced both the name and the stylized “A” that will ultimately be incorporated into the logo for Adirondack’s team. The main logo for the Adirondack Flames will be a version of the historic flaming “A” which was originally worn by the Atlanta Flames in the 1970s. The home and away jerseys will have the same color and striping pattern as the NHL Flames.
“Retaining the American Hockey League in the region has been our priority for some time”, said Diamond. “We each fondly recall our relationship with the Detroit Red Wings and most recently with the Philadelphia Flyers. Now it is time to welcome and support our new partner in the Calgary Flames and Brian Petrovek who has made it his priority to keep the AHL here in Glens Falls.”
The Adirondack Flames also launched their ticketing campaign for the 2014-15 season today. Tickets can be reserved beginning today by going to www.adirondackflames.com or by calling 518-480-3355. Also, fans can start following the Adirondack Flames immediately on Twitter at twitter.com/AHLFlames and on Facebook at facebook.com/AHLFlames.
“I am excited at the prospect of relocating to Glens Falls and dedicating my time to the success of this team”, said Petrovek. “I have worked in the American Hockey League for over fifteen years now and understand that for this venture to succeed it will take work, commitment to this community and the support of hockey fans in this region.”
Petrovek joins the Adirondack Flames as president following 14 years as managing owner/CEO for the Portland Pirates. His extensive resume of experience in the hockey business also includes senior management positions with USA Hockey; vice president of marketing for the New Jersey Devils; and executive director for the AHL’s Utica Devils. He has an impressive history of community leadership, participating on several charitable boards and committees including as board chair for the United Way of Greater Portland. A graduate of Harvard with a master’s degree, Petrovek was an All-American goaltender with Harvard before being drafted to the NHL by the Los Angeles Kings.
Glens Falls has been home to the American Hockey League for 25 seasons. The Detroit Red Wings’ AHL development program captured four Calder Cup titles between 1979 and 1999 under the banner of the Adirondack Red Wings and most recently the Philadelphia Flyers (Adirondack Phantoms) made Glens Falls their home from 2009-14.
