There is a brand new team gearing up for the 2013-2014 American Hockey League season and that team is the Utica Comets.
Back in March, Canucks Sports and Entertainment bought out the Peoria Rivermen and was looking to move a farm team for Vancouver closer to home. Looking at Abbotsford to rival the Heat, the brass seemed keen on that location. However they decided on Utica, New York and the Utica Comets were born. Their colour scheme and jerseys will mimic the green, blue and white of the Vancouver Canucks. I don’t know if it’s just me but I think they could have done a lot more with the logo. I find it looks too much like a soccer one but I digress.
Former New York Islander and Toronto Maple Leaf, Travis Green has been hired on as their first franchise coach while Sacha Guimond is the first to sign on as a defenseman. You can trace back the history of the franchise all the way back to 1932 when they were then known as the Quebec Beavers. This is the second time an AHL team will call Utica, New York home. The Utica Devils who were affiliated with New Jersey were the first in the early 90’s.
Not all is lost for hockey fans in Peoria, Illinois though. The Peoria Rivermen who were an affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, will be playing out of the Southern Professional Hockey League this season with a complete overhaul of colours and logo. The SPHL is a league located in the southeastern United States.
marchhockey.com 