If the Atlanta Thrashers are indeed moving to Winnipeg’s MTS Centre for the 2011-2012 season, the Manitoba Moose (AHL) will need a new home — and one newspaper is reporting that St. John’s Mile One Centre will be that new home.
St. John’s formerly hosted AHL hockey in the form of the St. John’s Maple Leafs, the top affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs before the team moved to Ricoh Center and started play as the Toronto Marlies. Since then, St. John’s hosted a junior team, the Fog Devils. Neither team was successful when it came to the box office, but that hasn’t stopped locals from pursuing a new team; in fact, there were talks with the ECHL about a team for 2011-2012. That bid was withdrawn in the face of another group looking for a new team.
Which looks like it will be the Moose. The Telegram is reporting the team will be the top affiliate of the Winnipeg NHL team and remain under ownership of True Sports and Entertainment for one season before selling the franchise to former premier Danny Williams.
That leaves the Vancouver Canucks (parent of the Moose) and the Chicago Wolves (farm team of the Threshers) looking for new partners.
Of course, this isn’t a done deal; it’s contingent on the Thrashers sale to TSNE going through.
RELATED STORIES: Thrashers not out of Atlanta — yet; Atlanta-to-Winnipeg rumors gaining steam; Spirit finally faces inevitable: Thrashers may need new home
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