One of the byproducts of the NHL lockout is that television stations with contracts to air hockey are short a very important part of that contract: the hockey. The CBC is considering airing KHL games in the mornings to give hockey-starved Canadians some sort of fix over breakfast; here in America the best shot we have is subscribing to the AHL's version of Gamecenter Live and watching feeds on-line.
Well, that was our best shot until now. According to Jeremy Rutherford, Fox Sports Midwest is considering airing a few Peoria Rivermen games. The Rivermen, who are the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, are also owned by the new ownership group led by Tom Stillman. This could be a good source of revenue for both the team and the network.
Hearing that Fox Sports Midwest may indeed televise a few Peoria Rivermen games if, as expected, the #nhl lockout continues.
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) September 29, 2012
Will other AHL teams get their games aired on their parent club's network? That will remain to be seen, considering not every team's AHL club is as close in proximity and relationship as the Blues and the Rivermen.