It's official: the Manitoba Moose are moving to St. John's.

The American League's board of governors approved the move Friday. After True North Sports and Entertainment purchased the Atlanta Thrashers and relocated them to Winnipeg, it was necessary to move the AHL team to a new home.

The new St. John's team will become the affiliate for the still unnamed Winnipeg NHL franchise, leaving the Vancouver Canucks in need of a new farm team.

St. John's last had professional hockey in 2005 when the Maple Leafs moved closer to the big-league franchise in Toronto. The Quebec League opened a franchise in St. John's - the Fog Devils - in 2005, but the franchise moved to Montreal to become the Juniors in 2008.