AHL approves relocation of Canucks' affiliate to Abbotsford

The Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate will be playing closer to home starting next season.

The AHL's board of governors approved relocation for the Canucks-owned franchise from Utica, New York, to Abbotsford, British Columbia, beginning in the 2021-22 campaign, the league announced.

Vancouver's new affiliate will play out of Abbotsford Center, but the details of the team's name, logo, and brand are still unknown.

In a corresponding move, the AHL franchise owned by the New Jersey Devils will move from Binghamton, New York, to Utica beginning next season.

The Utica Comets announced a 10-year affiliation deal with the Devils. The organization will keep the same name but will reveal new jersey designs and colors later in the year.