http://www.theahl.com/news/league/index.html?article_id=8825

I suppose it's better than Pork Butt.

there's a closeout on iowa stars stuff. you can get the $215 jerseys for $55.

the iowa chops! what a DUMB name, i mean they coulda went with the iowa ducks or something better.
but on another note, the new texas stars that will debut in the 2009-2010 season have done it right with the new team, they built a 6,000 seat arena which is more than enough for minor league hockey and i think that the dallas stars organization is actually the owner of that team so there will be no moving affiliations around for the stars, but dont quote me on the actual ownwership of the team.

the iowa chops, yep this is minor league hockey! i wouldnt even want to play for that team with that stupid name.

Is Texas joining the North division to balance out our playoff seats with the West? I'd like to see us have a guaranteed 4th spot.

yeah, the chops name is really stupid. the only thing worse is the logo. the Icehogs already had the market cornered on hockey pigs, so this is extra lame.

Watching what happens with the re-alignment of the divisions is going to make a big impact on the Monsters. Austin should be added to the West division, but who does that means moves to the North? Chicago and Milwaukee are the geographically closest, but moving either of those teams changes the local rivalries. With transportation expenses rocketing, I can't see the AHL wanting to extend the travel any farther than they have to.

it would be nice if there is a regional affiliation realignment when the current terms expire. some teams won't have local affiliates (southern california especially), but cleveland/colorado really doesn't make much sense with the price of oil so high.

i think if i can remember (heard it on cbc radio long time ago so dont take it to heart) that they were talking about the travel distance between some of the parent clubs and minor affiliates (take dallas for example they just ended their affilitaion with iowa granted its not that far of a jaunt but they wanted to have a team close by so they wouldnt have to spend alot of money getting personnel to and fro.) and how some nhl clubs would want to have their minor league teams closer to the nhl club.
now if colorado does pull out after their lease is up with the city i would like to see columbus put a team in cleveland its only a two hour drive (depending on how fast you drive) to columbus so that would make sense.

the iowa chops just doesnt roll off the tongue like the lake erie monsters does. i read that they wanted to capture the local geography and they wanted a name that would make people look at it and guess what it meant.
they shoulda re-thought the name, why didnt they use razorbacks, since its a wild boar. the colors are pretty cool, the crest isnt too bad but its not that good either.
hopefully we will have the monster as the main crest for this season.

when I saw the CHOPS, i thought "FAIL".

Iowa = corn and electoral politics. who names a team after a chunk of dead meat? they should have been the Iowa Straw Polls or something. maybe Cornsnakes? that'd be a bit more menacing than a packed pork product.

i can see them in a year or two changing that name, cuz it just plain old stinks.

What I'm trying to figure out is....if you're named after a "dead" piece of meat, then why is the "live" animal your logo? I like the colors, and maybe its the thought that counts, but I agree that there are many other things in Iowa, OK maybe not MANY, but other things in Iowa that would have sounded much more intimidating. Can't wait to play these guys, that team morale is gonna suck.

Iowa Hockey - The other, other white meat.

i wonder how the players that have to play for that team feel about the name, why because you're supposed to play for the name on the front not the name on the back and to see them called the chops i'm just wondering how the players are going to take that name.
i mean they couldnt come up with something better than "chops" i feel sorry for the players that have to play for that team.

Although the Iowa Chops name brings up around 100 jokes or lines that can be used against them, at least they aren't the Macon Whooppee - whose name has come around twice mind you.

Gonna bust yer chops.
You dont have the chops for this.
I smell pork.
Are you happy to see me or is that a loin in your pocket.
You come from a family of cops, don't you?
Can I get a side of applesauce with this check?
Put a stick in them, they're done.
Headline: Chops Slowly Roasted On Ice
Headline: Don't bust our Chops, They Aren't That Bad.
Iowa lot but I had to pay in meat.
Headline: Iowa Politicians Love Their Pork
We are getting close to the arena, I can smell it.
Chops to it.
He has the Chops and the Mug, he could open his own restaurant.
Can I get fries with that?
Headline: Iowa Chops, Three for a Dollar.
Headline Iowa Chops Sponsored by Texas Chainsaw Massacre III.
Headline: Iowa Chops Meet the Players.
Headline: Iowa Chops Meet, Dallas Stars.
Headline: Chops Sue, Weeeeee!
Headline: Chops Tix for Charity.
Headline: Chops change name to Hacks.

Ok, I'm done. It's getting ridiculous and this is just off the top of my head.