Flames’ American Hockey League affiliate coming to Calgary for 2020 season

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Flames’ American Hockey League affiliate will play home games in Calgary this season after requesting relocation from Stockton, Calif.

The Stockton Heat plan to move north of the border for the 2020 season, giving the Flames easier access to their players during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The seven Canadian NHL teams are not crossing the border during the regular season this year.

The Heat will join the Belleville Senators (Ottawa’s top farm team), Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens), Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets) and Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs) in the Canadian Division.

The league says the schedule for the Canadian Division will be released in the coming days.

The move leaves the Vancouver Canucks (Utica, N.Y.) and the Edmonton Oilers (Bakersfield, Calif.) as the lone Canadian teams with American-based AHL affiliates this season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 28, 2021.