Dieppe Commandos hockey franchise moving to Edmundston
Transfer effective at the end of the season
The league formally announced Wednesday the franchise would be moving to Edmundston, N.B.
The transfer was allowed after a new franchise group from the city made a formal presentation to the league's board of governors.
The team's home will be located in the city's new amphitheatre, the Jean-Daigle Centre, scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2017.
League president Brian Whitehead said the new franchise group in Edmundston is "clearly passionate about the game and their desire to join the MHL."
Team president Andre LeBel said the city and area are ready to welcome the team.
"There is no doubt as to our community's passion for hockey and there is no doubt as to the suitability of our new amphitheatre as a home arena for this team."
Team owner Jean-François Damphousse said it was not financially feasible to operate the team in Dieppe any longer.
"The support we hoped would materialize over time never occurred, even with a successful team on the ice over the past number of seasons. The hockey competition from the QMJHL, AUS and Midget programs, not to mention the competition for entertainment dollars in general, makes the ability for the Commandos program to continue impossible," he said.
The transfer of the Dieppe Commandos franchise will become effective at the end of the 2016-17 MHL season.