Sports: “We’re in Abbotsford happily, and staying there” – Ken King

By Mike Archer. Of all the rumours being denied in Fraser Valley hockey circles this week Calgary Flames president Ken King says, “We’re in Abbotsford happily, and staying there” referring to the Calgary Flames’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Abbotsford Heat.

A report at 7:08 p.m. Thursday night on the Toronto Sun website said, “Despite reports on the West Coast that the Vancouver Canucks have earmarked Abbotsford as a potential landing spot if their farm team is forced out of the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Flames president Ken King insisted there’s no truth to speculation the team could move its minor-league club to Chilliwack.”

Calgary Flames President Ken King

CKNW, earlier during the day, reported the Heat would be moving to Chilliwack in a complicated swap occasioned by the possibility of an NHL franchise in Winnipeg which would force the Vancouver Canucks to find a new home for their farm team – the Manitoba Moose.

The Sun reported that the Canucks are eying Abbotsford but King quashed the rumour.

“That’s a non-starter,” King told the Sun. “We’re in Abbotsford happily, and staying there. We have a 10-year lease and we would not be interested or inclined to think about Chilliwack.

“There’s zero chance we’re going to Chilliwack.”

The Langley Advance reported last week that owners of the Langley Chiefs are in talks with another group of potential owners who might be interested in buying the franchise.

The Sun article described the history of the Abbotsford Heat thus:

“The Flames affiliate has bounced between cities since leaving Saint John, N.B., after the 2002-03 season. After postponing operations for one season, the Saint John Flames franchise was reborn in Nebraska as the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights. That lasted two years before the Flames sent their top prospects to Moline, Ill., for two seasons to suit up for the Quad City Flames before moving to B.C.’s Fraser Valley.”