Bakersfield Condors to Remain the Bakersfield Condors

After 17 seasons, the Bakersfield Condors told their fans at Rabobank Arena that they’ll stay the Condors when they jump to the American Hockey League.

A near-capacity crowd of 8,751 heard that announcement during the first intermission of Wednesday’s game against ECHL foe Idaho.

The Bakersfield Fog gave themselves the Condors moniker in 1998 when the team joined the now-defunct West Coast Hockey League. They opted to keep the name after making the transition to the ECHL.

Bakersfield will join San Diego, Ontario, Stockton and San Jose in the AHL’s new Pacific Division next season. The AHL is hockey’s equivalent to Triple-A baseball, just a step below the NHL.

The Condors fell to Idaho 4-1 on Wednesday. They’ll play the Steelheads again at home on Friday.

– Anthony Pollreisz