St. Louis Blues And Missouri Mavericks Form Partnership
By Todd Panula
The St. Louis Blues are always looking for ways to grow the game around the area. Their latest venture has found some like minds across the state.
The St. Louis Blues and Missouri Mavericks have formed a partnership going forward. It’s a smart deal considering the goals of both teams.
As of right now, the deal is only for the 2016-17 season. However, given the nature of the partnership, you could easily see this extended beyond that since it is not a minor league affiliation. Yet.
The Mavericks are going to stay the ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders. The two teams are in the second year of their two year agreement.
The Mavericks have options to extend that deal beyond this season and have said they want to form a long-term partnership with the Islanders. If something could be done with the Blues, however, it might make sense for all involved.
While the Blues’ AHL affiliation might be in flux given their partnership with the Chicago Wolves went a bit south, it is still important to have teams in close proximity. The Peoria Rivermen were the perfect example of having your prospects ready at a moment’s notice.
The Blues have something similar with Chicago. You don’t have to worry, generally, about getting them to fly half way across the country because they are right there next door.
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If the Blues and Wolves could work out something longer term and also have a new affiliation deal with the Mavericks, it would be a fantastic. All of your professional prospects would be within an hour flight away.
For now, this deal is more for the promotion of the sport. The Blues will have the option to send prospects to Independence if they see fit. They are not totally affiliated with the Mavericks though.
This partnership is more for optics and growth. The Mavericks will be able to sell the idea of having youth groups get lessons from a Blues player. Other events between the two teams will be linked to the Blues exhibition game in Kansas City.
The Mavericks are already offering discounts to that October 5 game. It would not shock anyone if they announce either a preseason game of their own the day of or before to capitalize on attendance.
(2/2) Save up to $10/ticket https://t.co/tjCHMnHUYX w/code MAVS or call 816-949-7175 to buy a Price Chopper 4 Pack that starts out at $40.
— Kansas City Mavericks (@kc_mavericks) August 24, 2016
Even without an affiliation, it’s a smart decision by both teams. The Blues do have fans in the Kansas City market, so you forge a stronger relationship there. The Mavericks can pick up on that relationship and boost hockey awareness in the area by partnering with a team that is not half a country away.
The Mavericks could be a place to send players for rehab assignments or potentially even a place for Ville Husso to land. The Blues could also have Mavericks night and have people come across the state for a game.
It will be interesting to see how the affiliation plays out going forward. Partnering with the Islanders led the Mavericks to the ECHL’s best record last year and the Brabham Cup (ECHL’s President’s Trophy).
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It might make sense for the Mavs to stick with the Isles. However, there is something to be said for close proximity and ease of access.
For now, this pairing is a smart deal with no long-term strings or ramifications. It could blossom into something more, but, either way, it was a good decision by both the Blues and Mavericks.