California is now the seventh-largest hockey-playing population in the country. Last month, the Anaheim Ducks moved their team of top prospects from Virginia to San Diego under a familiar name: The Gulls.
How are the Gulls 2.0 different? “No disrespect—I was part of the old league,” says Gulls GM Bob Ferguson. “But those were undrafted players. These are high draft choices, prime prospects. You could see a guy play on Friday night in S.D., then Saturday in Anaheim.”
Gulls president of business operations, Ari Segal, explains: “Californians my age grew up with the Sharks, Ducks, and Kings. Now they’re having children. We’re part of a rising tide.”
Season starts October 10 at the Valley View Casino Center.
Ice, Ice, Baby: Hockey Returns to San Diego
ALAN HESS
