Per multiple reports, the AHL has voted to approve the Vancouver Canucks’ request to move their minor-league affiliate to Utica, New York, for next season.
What’s not clear at this point is how long the Canucks will stay in Utica. According to News 1130 Sports in Vancouver, it may only be a year.
The Canucks had been seeking somewhere to put their AHL team since purchasing the Peoria Rivermen franchise from the Blues a couple of months ago.
The city of Utica had previously attempted to attract the Abbotsford Heat, Calgary’s AHL team.
At the same time, the Canucks had explored placing the Rivermen in Abbotsford, a suburb of Vancouver. However, no deal was ultimately struck.
Perhaps Abbotsford is still the long-term plan for the Canucks.
Bakersfield, California, is also reportedly being considered.
If #Canucks have sweet deal in Utica, where Flames wanted to move (but after building renovations done) will we see location swap next year?
— Kevin Woodley (@KevinisInGoal) June 13, 2013
@ryanbiech Flames kicked the Heat relocation tires on Utica but the 4,000-seat Utica Memorial Arena built in 1960 needs an upgrade.
— Ben Kuzma 🇺🇦 (@benkuzma) June 13, 2013