SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The AHL Board of Governors on Feb. 9 approved relocating the Edmonton Oilers’ dormant franchise from Edmonton to Oklahoma City, where the team will begin play in the 2010-11 season.
The as-yet-unnamed team will play its home games at the newly renovated Cox Convention Center. Renovations such as a state-of-the-art scoreboard and sound system will complement other improvements including terrace suites, exclusive lounge areas and new locker room and workout areas at the downtown arena.
The Oilers have owned affiliates in the AHL since 1982. The existing franchise has been inoperative since 2005. As part of the switch, Edmonton will terminate its current development agreement with the Springfield Falcons at the end of this season.
“The Oilers have felt for some time now that Oklahoma City is the right fit for our American Hockey League franchise,” said Kevin Lowe, Edmonton’s director of hockey operations. “There is a rich hockey history and tradition in Oklahoma City and we anticipate this partnership to be very successful.”
The Oilers will team with Prodigal Hockey LLC, headed by Robert Funk Jr. “As a group, we’re pleased to be teaming with a franchise with the rich history and passionate fan base of the Edmonton Oilers,” Funk said. “We look forward to providing Oklahoma City with outstanding entertainment as well as world class hockey.”
Oklahoma City’s last top-tier minor league hockey was the Oklahoma City Stars, which folded in 1982. The Oklahoma City Blazers consistently played to big crowds in the Central Hockey League in the 1990s and early 2000s but folded last summer, citing financial losses due to the recession.
The Associated Press reported that as part of the lease agreement, the city will pay for about $4.5 million in improvements to the convention center, which opened in 1972. That money will pay for an ice plant and mechanical room, and other upgrades. Send comments to comment@prohockeynws.com
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