Ice Edge Holdings, LLC partner Keith McCullough spoke to TBNewsWatch.com yesterday about the partnership's plans to bring AHL hockey to Thunder Bay, Ontario if the group successfully purchases the Phoenix Coyotes. The Coyotes' current affiliation with the San Antonio Rampage expires within the next two years and Ice Edge wants to purchase and relocate an existing AHL franchise to Thunder Bay. The fact that the move would create one of the most difficult commutes for prospect players who are called up or demoted (the distance of the trip is compounded by the necessity of passing through Toronto customs) doesn't seem to bother McCullough or his cronies.
Personally, I think the real sticking point is the theoretical name of the new team - the Thunder Bay Howlers. Really? Considering that one of the definitions of "howler" is an extremely hilarious or ridiculous joke, Ice Edge may want to stay away from that name.