TEXAS -- The American Hockey League has canceled the remainder of this season, and that doesn't just mean an abrupt end for hockey this year - it also means an abrupt end for a long-standing Central Texas rivalry. 

 

What You Need To Know


  • American Hockey League cancels remainder of season

  • San Antonio Rampage moving to Nevada to serve as affiliate to NHL's Las Vegas Golden Knights

  • Cancellation ends Texas hockey rivalry, and hockey in San Antonio 

 

It's a tough blow for hockey fans, especially the diehards like Tedd Bobb.

"Absolute heartbreaker," Bobb says. "I mean, hockey has been my life and it's been all taken away."

Bobb's been a Texas Stars season ticket holder for nearly a decade, and wouldn't dare miss a game.

San Antonio Rampage fans. (Spectrum News)

"We're at every one," Bobb says. "Every single one."

But he won't attend another game for a while.  The AHL canceled the remainder of the season, a frustrating call for the players and the fans.

"I mean, we lose a championship," says Bobb.

Texas Stars fans appear with the team's mascot, Ringo the Ringtail. (Spectrum News)

But the cancellation is, perhaps, an ever bigger hit to his fellow fans about an hour and a half down I-35. Not only does it mean the San Antonio Rampage season is done, it means hockey in San Antonio is done. 

Earlier this year, it was announced the Rampage were moving to Las Vegas, ending the team's 18-year run in San Antonio. 

"We really wish we had an opportunity to say goodbye, at least," says fan Jason Edwards. "Finding out they got sold was a gut punch. I mean, it was hard for all of us - especially the girls. They've never really loved a team, a sports team, like that before in their lives."

"I don't want them to leave," says his 10-year-old daughter, Ceylin. 

For Edwards and his daughters, it means their first year as Rampage season ticket holders was also also their last.

"We went to every single home game they had. We just loved every minute of it," Edwards said. 

San Antonio Rampage fans appear with the team's mascot, T-Bone. (Spectrum News)

They say in losing the team, San Antonio is losing something it can't replace.

"It's not a $1,000 NBA ticket," says Edwards. "It's not hundreds of dollars for a football game that you have to drive miles away to see. It's just here in town. To me it felt like a working person sport, and that's what I loved about it."

And it's that love for the sport the Edwards don't want to do without. They'll now have to make a longer drive to get their fix.

"The closest team to us now is the Texas Stars which, unfortunately, is the Rampage's biggest rival," laughs Edwards. 

But they're putting the rivalry behind them, and already bought Stars season tickets for next year. It's still going to take some getting used to.

"I mean, I like the Texas Stars, but I like the Rampage more," admits Ceylin. 

So for now, the parking lot at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park remains empty. But Bobb says sooner or later, "It's going to be back and this parking lot's going to be full again."

Packed with old fans - and new fans - alike. 

San Antonio Rampage fans. (Spectrum News)