Flames set affiliates for 2020-21: the Heat and Mavericks are back

The Calgary Flames have officially locked in both of their minor league affiliates for the 2020-21 season. They’ve announced that they’ve renewed their affiliation with the ECHL’s Kansas City Mavericks, joining the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat (whose return we confirmed back in the spring).

The Flames have had their AHL club in Stockton since 2015. The renewal makes this the longest they’ve had their farm team in one city since Saint John, which had the Baby Flames from 1993-2003. The Flames own the Heat outright, so no affiliation agreement is necessary. Negotiations for a long-term lease renewal in Stockton are ongoing.

The Mavericks have been the Flames’ ECHL affiliate since 2017-18. Previously they had partnerships with the Adirondack Thunder, Colorado Eagles, Utah Grizzlies and Alaska Aces. They haven’t had any prospects work their way up from the ECHL in quite awhile – Joni Ortio and Brett Kulak are likely the most recent ones – but a good ECHL team gives prospects top six time they wouldn’t be afforded as a depth body in Stockton.