The Belleville Senators will have a new team to face when their American Hockey League season finally gets underway.
In a late and surprising move, the Calgary Flames AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat will not play in California this season and will instead move to the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.
The Heat will then join the Canadian Division with the Senators, Laval Rocket, Toronto Marlies and Manitoba Moose.
It’s expected the move would be for this year only.
This will have a ripple effect as Stockton was already scheduled to play 40 games out of the Pacific Division.
The AHL will now have to amend the schedule.
The American Hockey League season is planning to start on February 5 however due to the current restrictions in Ontario a schedule and start date has yet to be announced for the Canadian teams.
The Belleville Senators still await word on whether they will play at the CAA Arena or in Ottawa this season.
