BYE-BYE HERSHEY BEARS: FLYERS ANNOUNCE NEW FARM TEAM

     The Flyers announced yesterday the acquisition of an
expansion franchise in the AHL, according to the PHILADELPHIA
INQUIRER.  The unnamed team will replace the Hershey Bears as the
Flyers' minor league affiliate.  While team officials would not
comment on how much the new team cost them, Gary Miles cites one
team source who said the price was "a little more than $1
million."  Philadelphia is now the only NHL city to also have an
AHL team.  The Flyers will hold a contest to determine the team's
name, and Flyers President & GM Bob Clarke said team uniforms,
colors and ticket prices are also to be chosen.  The Bears are
expected to announce a new affiliation by the end of March.
Players under contract with the Flyers will join the new team in
Philadelphia, while players under contract with the Bears will
remain with the team.  The Philadelphia team will play in the
AHL's Southern Division with the Bears, the Lexington
Thoroughbreds, Baltimore Bandits, Binghamton Rangers and Carolina
Monarchs (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 12/19).