AM owns one of the AHL franchises. I believe he has protection preventing others from getting a new AHL franchise. One of the NHL teams will end up with AM.
He's one vote of 32.
NHL teams aren't obligated to affiliate with any AHL franchise. Because of the possible friction between them over staffing and player development. That's why most teams now own their AHL teams.
In the Roadrunners case they are an independent team with an affiliation. That affiliation is currently only for this season. But Tucson's coaching and player development staff are all paid by the Utah Hockey Club. Plus those players under 2-way contracts with Utah Hockey Club, OR Ryan Smith chooses to be a co-affiliate with another NHL team's affiliate??
What is AMJr (and it's been established that AM Junior IS running the Roadrunners) going to do if Ryan Smith decides he wants his own AHL team? He has a minor league team that could easily be elevated given he has a staff and core roster already in place.