Reign: Sad news on the eve of tonight’s game.

The Augusta Lynx, a member of the ECHL’s American Conference, was forced to cease operations 17 games into the season, canceling the remainder of its season.

Augusta’s attendance was bad and reportedly needed at least $200,000 by Tuesday afternoon to stay afloat.

So what does this mean for the Reign?

The Lynx’s 18 players have become free agents, including their goalie named M. Brodeur (though the Reign don’t need a goalie, that’s a fortuitous name for Mike Brodeur). Conceivably the Reign would be able to sign any of them after releasing one of their current players; however, this may be subject to the waiver priority system, which gives higher priority to teams lower in the standings. Where the Reign are ranked in this system depends on a number of factors, including how many other ECHL teams have claimed players off waivers. (If you’ve played fantasy sports, you are probably familiar with this process). Hopefully Karl Taylor can provide an explanation after tonight’s game against the Victoria Salmon Kings.

The Reign didn’t have any games scheduled against the Lynx this year; teams in the National (western) Conference do not face teams in the American (eastern) Conference until the Kelly Cup Finals.

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.