From the Pilot On-line column dated June 22, 2012 “Admirals, Anaheim Ducks seal franchise agreement”:
The teams agreed on a five-year deal that will make the Admirals the AHL affiliate of the Ducks. There is an option clause that will allow either side to end the agreement after two seasons with the understanding that if Anaheim does so, it will help find the Admirals another parent.
@WorcesterHerald @210Darryl motocross and bull riding. Only ice we'll see will be Disney. Heard that Frozen is outstanding
— Ken Peen (@PolyPro66) January 12, 2015
Even though Anaheim is ending their agreement after Year 3, Norfolk will not lose hockey the last two years of the lease since Anaheim needs to find the Admirals another parent. Since Worcester is at the end of their lease, even if we had this clause it would be a moot point.
Now this from the LA Daily News dated January 9, 2015 “L.A. Kings, Anaheim Ducks appear set to move minor-league teams to Southern California”:
However, NHL sources said the Kings would relocate their owned-and-operated Manchester Monarchs to Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, currently the home of the Ontario Reign of the ECHL, a lower-level minor league that does not regularly feed players to the NHL.
The Ducks would buy the Norfolk Admirals and move the team to San Diego, the former home of the Gulls of the now-defunct International Hockey League. The Sharks would relocate their team, the Worcester Sharks, to a city to be determined, possibly Fresno or Sacramento.
