AHL approves franchise moves

The winds of change are still blowing on the American Hockey League.

The AHL Board of Governors met by phone on Thursday to approve the transfer of ownership and relocation of one franchise and the relocation of another franchise for the 2015-2016 season.

The AHL approved the transfer of ownership of the Hamilton Bulldogs from Michael Andlauder to Montreal Canadiens, who also received approval by the board of governors to relocate from Hamilton, Ontario to St. John’s Newfoundland.

It is expected that the franchise will play in St. John’s for the next two years when it will be relocated to a new arena currently under construction in Laval, Quebec. The arena, which will be managed by the Canadiens, is currently under construction and expected to open in Fall 2017.

The AHL also approved the relocation of the Winnipeg Jets AHL franchise, owned by True North Sports and Entertainment, from St. John’s, Newfoundland to the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The franchise played in Winnipeg from 2001 until it relocated to St. John’s in 2011.

Hamilton will not be without hockey as the Ontario Hockey League approved the sale of the Belleville Bulls to Michael Andlauder, who will relocate to Hamilton for the 15-‘16 season. The team will be renamed the Hamilton Bulldogs and play in the OHL East Division.

Hamilton goes to the OHL and joins Manchester, Worcester, Glens Falls, Norfolk and Oklahoma City as former AHL cities. Winnipeg is back on a temp basis until either Thunder Bay is complete or another city becomes an option.

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