The Vancouver Canucks have moved their American Hockey League affiliate to Abbotsford, British Columbia according to the Canadian Press on Wednesday. The team was formerly located in Utica, New York, and will be known as the Abbotsford Canucks.
The move makes complete sense for the Canucks from a geographical and financial perspective, as Abbotsford is only one hour and three minutes southeast of Vancouver. Utica meanwhile is a 43-hour drive to Vancouver, and an eight-hour flight. The Abbotsford Canucks will wear jerseys coloured green, blue, and white, just like the Vancouver Canucks.
Abbotsford, meanwhile was an affiliate of the Calgary Flames while in the American Hockey League from 2009 to 2014. The Flames then ironically moved their minor league affiliate to Glen Falls, New York for a single season in 2014-15. During this season the team in Glen Falls was known as the Adirondack Flames. Since 2015-16, the Flames have had their minor league affiliate in Stockton, California, and have been known as the Stockton Heat.
In addition to hosting the Abbotsford Canucks, the Abbotsford Centre hosts the Fraser Valley Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League and the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds of the British Columbia Hockey Major Midget League. The Bandits have played at the Abbotsford Centre since 2019, and the Thunderbirds have played there since 2018.
