Rivermen Staying In Peoria

Not that there was ever any reason to think they were coming to Kansas City, but the St. Louis Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, are officially remaining in Peoria for the next five seasons. There is no evidence I’m aware of that AEG/Sprint Center made any attempts to lure the Rivermen to Kansas City. Blues blogger Andy Strickland claims “Kansas City and the Sprint Center were very hopeful the Rivermen would have eventually landed in K.C.,” but I have no idea where he’s getting that. Peoria Journal Star reporter Dave Eminian says, “They envy you, Peoria, in places like Des Moines, Iowa, Omaha, Neb., and Kansas City.” Eminian also writes that the Blues “check(ed) around for other options” before agreeing to extend their time in Peoria, but gives no specifics. In an email to me, Eminian wrote: “Kansas City’s venue is too new, too big and too costly to operate a minor-league team in. Sprint Center wants an NHL team.” If there was any lingering hope that AEG might pursue the AHL for Kansas City, the apparent lack of interest in the Blues affiliate puts that to rest. Are we too big for the AHL and too small for the NHL?