Schlegel Sports Inc. said the Des Moines area will soon have a new NHL affiliation, "There is going to be AHL hockey here next year and for a long time to come," Kirby Schlegel said.

The Des Moines Register said speculation on the affiliation centers on the Portland Pirates, affiliate of the Annaheim Ducks. The Ducks had been affiliated with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks several seasons ago. The Pirates are 3-1 in the Atlantic Division finals of the Calder Cup. An announcement by that club is not likely until the conclusion of the club's American Hockey League season.

The Iowa Stars team was affiliated with the Dallas Stars. Dallas announced, earlier this season, that it would be affiliating with a Texas city in the future.