In a continuing effort to move NHL clubs closer to their American Hockey League affiliates, the Montreal Canadiens have relocated their AHL affiliate, The St John’s IceCaps franchise, to Laval, Que.
The AHL Board of Governors announced the approval today with the move effective for the 2017-18 season.
The Canadiens’ AHL franchise will begin play in the fall of 2017 at Place Bell, a multi-
purpose facility under construction in the Montreal suburb of Laval. Of course, the issue now for St John’s is mustering fan support for the coming season. Through 2014, the club averaged more than 6200 fans and in 2015 the average fell to 5700. No data were evident for the most recent season.
The move should not be seen as a rebuke of St John’s, NL. Rather it is a consolidation of the geographical footprint of the NHL and it closest affiliates.
The IceCaps have finished out of the post season the last two years with identical won-loss records of 32-33. In 2014, the club (as a Winnipeg Jets affiliate) advanced to the Calder Cup Final against the Texas Stars where they lost four games to one.
The move follows on the heels of the Arizona Coyotes moving the Springfield Falcons to Tucson, Arizona, renaming the club the Tucson Roadrunners.
That move will save the Coyotes travel and scouting time as will the move to Laval.
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