I've been away from the office for the past few days. Seems the Priest congregation has grown in Bakersfield. That's a completely different topic but here's a link to our sister Web site in case you were wondering what I'm referring to: www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/FatherPriest /26943

So I was pleasantly surprised when I grabbed Thursday's sports section and read what arguably should have been the centerpiece story. Californian sports reporter Mike Griffith had heard rumors for months that Anaheim was one of the NHL clubs checking out the Condors' operations. While Griff could never get any one in the Condors' organization to go "on the record" about the visits, we were aware that this was going to be the off-season of change for Condorstown.

So just what does affiliation mean for Bakersfield? If the NHL is anything like the Major League Baseball, it could mean an opportunity to see some of the best young players that the Ducks' farm system has to offer. There's even thought that Bakersfield could become a launching pad for the most talented players to bypass the AHL and go straight to Anaheim. 

If Anaheim doesn't secure an AHL affiliate closer to home base, Bakersfield would be a perfect place for Anaheim General Manager Brian Burke to make the drive north and keep close tabs on his prospects.  Californian sports columnist Andy Kehe said don't be surprised if Iowa wasn't the Ducks new AHL partner. Even if his hunch is correct, it's still a long flight from Des Moines to Los Angeles.

So what do you think? Is this the move that brings Bakersfield a championship? Are you ready for hockey season to start now that the Condors have a long-awaited affiliate folks have been clamoring for since the team joined the ECHL? Or are you cautiously optomistic toward next season, and just praying Anaheim and Bakersfield can secure a long-term deal?