Around The AHL: Vancouver Canucks announce intent to bring AHL affiliate closer to home

A major piece in the 2021-22 AHL map came into focus Tuesday evening when the Vancouver Canucks announced their intent to bring their top developmental affiliate to nearby Abbotsford, B.C..

Vancouver owns the Utica Comets franchise, where they have stationed their AHL prospects since 2013-14. The deal to bring top Canucks prospects close to home this fall is subject to approval at the AHL board of governors meeting scheduled for Thursday, but that is not expected to be an obstacle to the move. The newly relocated team would play out of the 7,000-seat Abbotsford Centre, located an hour’s drive from downtown Vancouver, and would be inserted into the AHL’s Pacific Division.