With the Colorado Avalanche involved in its playoff series against the Nashville Predators, the San Antonio Rampage quietly finished up its regular season over the weekend. The Rampage finished outside the AHL playoffs, marking the seventh consecutive season Colorado’s top affiliate has failed to qualify, the longest current streak in the AHL.
Given the lack of results and the team’s transition to Loveland where the Colorado Eagles will be jumping from the ECHL to the AHL, it was reported today by Mikael LaLancette of TVA that head coach Eric Veilleux would not return as coach of the Rampage.
It was then confirmed by BSN Denver Veilleux would not be continuing on with the Avalanche organization. While the team did improve under Veilleux in his second season, his overall record in two seasons was 62-73-17. There was no word given on the status of the assistant coaches.
The vacancy now opens up the possibility that current Colorado Eagles head coach Aaron Schneekloth will remain the man in charge once the team completes its transition to the AHL. Schneekloth and the Eagles are currently in the playoffs in defense of the Kelly Cup, which they won as champions of the ECHL last season.
Schneekloth has a connection with current Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar as the two were teammates on the South Carolina Stingrays in 2001-02, Bednar’s last season as a professional player before retiring and going into coaching. Bednar began as an assistant coach for the Stingrays the next season when Schneekloth was still playing for the Stingrays.
0 Comments (4 conversations)
What happens to the players for the ECHL Eagles after this season?
Bob_W
Just my guess bit I think those that have contracts with an NHL team or have their rights owned by an NHL team will go to where ever that NHL team deems appropriate. I believe there is at least one who is under contract or whose rights are owned by the Avs. Those without contracts become free agents. If a player had a contract with just the Eagles then the Eagles would presumably make a decision about them on a case by case basis, maybe another ECHL team or contract buyout.
Terry Sanford
Some of the players will possibly catch on with the AHL team but those who don’t will be free agents I assume or if the Avs designate another ECHL affiliate the remaining players may get a chance to make that team’s roster.
DTwieg
According to the Colorado Eagles website:
Q: What will happen to the current Eagles players on the ECHL team?
A: As it happens each season, players will have to earn their spot on the roster.
Source: http://coloradoeagles.com/eagles-news/the-transition-to-the-american-hockey-league/
It’s the same as any other ECHL team. They’ll be free agents and able to sign AHL/ECHL deals as they see fit. They are not property of the Avalanche unless they have NHL contracts, which very few of the Eagles do. Colorado will need to find a new ECHL affiliation or work out some shared agreement in order to send AHL players as the ECHL team needs. But the current Eagles will mostly be free agents like normal.
Poohrash
Feel bad for the guy. God, he may be a decent human being but as soon as the Avs’ playoff run concludes, Craig Billington needs to go. A solid and consistent track record of failure and non-accountability.
Jfdee3
have avs announced an echl affiliate?
Thank you all who took the time to answer my question!