LOS ANGELES: The American Hockey League says it will create a Pacific Division next season by relocating five professional ice hockey teams to California.
It is one of the biggest seismic shifts ever in the geography of minor pro hockey in North America and it also highlights the growth of the sport in the state of California.
"Relocating five teams is a complex process, and we are very excited to have brought this initiative to a successful outcome," said AHL president David Andrews.
"The Western-based NHL clubs have been in dialogue with our league for almost three years, and today's announcement launches a new era for the American Hockey League and for professional hockey in California."
The five AHL teams are all affiliated with the parent National Hockey League clubs, comprising the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks.
The Ducks and Kings farm teams will be located in San Diego and Ontario, California respectively. The Sharks will move their affiliate to San Jose and the Flames' farm team will play out of Stockton.
The Oilers will set up shop in Bakersfield for the 2015-16 season where they will replace the successful Bakersfield Condors ECHL franchise.
Since 1990-91, the number of hockey players in California has increased by a staggering 361 percent and is now has the seventh-highest playing population of the 50 states in the USA.
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