Calgary Flames to move farm team to Abbotsford, B.C.

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - The American Hockey League has approved the transfer of the Calgary Flames minor-league team in Moline, Ill., to Abbotsford, B.C.

The Flames' farm team will play out of the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre starting in 2009-10, the league announced Tuesday. The Quad City Flames were based in Moline for two seasons after relocating there from Omaha, Neb.

Abbotsford will join the Manitoba Moose (Vancouver), Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal) and Toronto Marlies (Toronto) as Canadian-based AHL teams.

The AHL also approved the operation of an AHL team in Austin, Texas, next season on the condition that Hicks Cedar Park complete the purchase of a franchise. The team in Austin will be affiliated with the Dallas Stars.

The Philadelphia Phantoms were granted approval to move from Philadelphia to Glens Falls, N.Y., in 2009-10.