The Calgary Flames‘ AHL affiliate will provisionally relocate for the 2020-21 season due to cross border travel restrictions.
The Stockton Heat, based out of Stockton, Calif., will play its campaign at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
“We are appreciative of the City of Stockton and the San Joaquin County Public Health Office for the work they put forward in attempt to accommodate the team for this season,” Flames assistant general manager Brad Pascall said in a statement. “However, the complications of cross border travel in the face of COVID-19 has brought us to our decision today.”
The AHL is working to finalize a schedule with a new divisional alignment similar to that of the NHL, including an all-Canadian division that is expected to be comprised of Belleville (Ottawa), Laval (Montreal), Manitoba (Winnipeg), Toronto (Toronto) and Stockton.
The AHL is currently targeting Feb. 5 as a start date for the new season.
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