Flames’ AHL franchise heading to Glens Falls

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … Convening today in Chicago for its Spring Meeting, the American Hockey League’s Board of Governors approved the relocation of the franchise owned by the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames from Abbotsford, B.C., to Glens Falls, N.Y., beginning with the 2014-15 season.

The Flames’ AHL franchise will begin play this fall at the Glens Falls Civic Center, which had been home to the Adirondack Phantoms since 2009. The Phantoms had been previously granted approval to relocate to Allentown, Pa., where they will begin play as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms beginning in 2014-15.

In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 88 percent of all players competing in the NHL are AHL graduates, and through the years the American Hockey League has been home to more than 100 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. This season marks the 13th consecutive year in which more than 6 million fans have attended AHL games across North America.