SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The Manitoba Moose have found a new home.
The American Hockey League's board of governors announced Friday it has approved the franchise's move from Winnipeg to St. John's, N.L.
The AHL club was forced to leave Winnipeg after True North Sports and Entertainment purchased the Atlanta Thrashers late last month with the intention of moving them to Manitoba capital.
True North also owns the Moose.
The St. John's club will serve as the AHL affiliate for the as-yet named Winnipeg franchise starting in 2011-12.
The AHL's St. John's Maple Leafs were relocated to become the Toronto Marlies in 2005 after 14 seasons.
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's St. John's Fog Devils were founded in 2005, but left to become the Montreal Juniors in 2008.
"The American Hockey League is excited to be returning to St. John's," AHL president and CEO David Andrews said in a release. "The people of Newfoundland and Labrador showed tremendous support for our league in the past, and we're confident that passion will return to Mile One Centre this fall."
The club's operations team will be led by former Newfoundland and Labrador premier Danny Williams and Glenn Stanford, former general manager of the St. John's Maple Leafs and more recently, president of the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Williams was vocal in his support for the return of AHL hockey to St. John's.
"Excitement about the hopeful arrival of a new AHL team to St. John's has been growing immensely in recent weeks," Williams said in a statement. "We are proud to be able to bring the team to this region--a region with such strong hockey roots and connection to the sport."
