If the rumours are true, the Chilliwack Bruins have been sold to a new ownership group in Victoria and will move to that city for next season.
That scenario could also involve the Prince George Cougars. There's talk around the Western Hockey League the Cats could shift to Chilliwack to take the place of the Bruins.
Several media outlets in Chilliwack and Vancouver have reported Bruins majority owners Brian Burke, Glen Sather and Darryl Porter have sold the team to Victoria real estate investor Graham Lee and RG Properties. According to Gregg Drinnan, sports editor of the Kamloops Daily News, who writes a daily blog covering the WHL, the change in ownership is more than just a rumour.
"It's a done deal, it's been a done deal since October," Drinnan said. "Which is why they won't look at any other offers, including one for $7.75 million [from Bruins minority owners Moray Keith and Jim Bond]. This league is absolutely goofy. I've been told the Bruins are going for less than $6 million. The Blazers changed hands [for $6.1 million] without being put on the market, and now you've got this one here."
As for the possible shift of the Cougars, neither owner Rick Brodsky nor general manager Dallas Thompson could be reached for comment Friday. Cougars head coach Dean Clark said he hadn't been told by anyone connected with the team the Cougars could be on the move.
"I haven't heard anything," said Clark. "I'm not the guy to be asking because I have no idea."
In January 2010, the Cougars signed a new lease agreement to play at CN Centre. The deal, which expires in 2018, gives the city anywhere from a minimum of two per cent to a maximum of 30 per cent of the team's ticket revenue, depending on game attendance.
There is a buy-out clause in the contract which would require the team to pay a predetermined amount to the city if the Cougars break the lease. City arenas manager Andy Beesley said Friday he did not have the authority to reveal details of what is contained in the clause.
Attendance at Cougars games has plummeted over the past three seasons to close to 2,000 per game, which has fueled speculation the team could be on the move. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Cougars were among the league leaders in attendance figures.
"I think the Cougars will be staying," said Drinnan. "My understanding is Moray Keith has talked to Rick [Brodsky] about buying the Cougars and I'm told that Rick just said 'No, they're not for sale.'
"I'd be shocked if they're going anywhere. Rick had that taste of success a few years ago when they were filling the joint and I think he's convinced now he's on the right road with Dean Clark. The coach makes all the difference in the world and they've got some good young players."
Another element that flies in the face of the Cats possibly relocating is the team's intention to bid to host the 2013 Memorial Cup.
If Victoria does get back into the WHL for the first time since 1994, when the Cougars franchise moved to Prince George, there's a distinct possibility an expansion team could surface in Nanaimo. Having two teams on Vancouver Island would ease the travel concerns of visiting teams, especially those from other divisions, who would have to make a ferry crossing to play in Victoria. Teams in the B.C. Division could play doubleheaders in Victoria, but interdivisional opponents usually make just one visit to teams outside of their own division.
WHL commissioner Ron Robison could not be reached to confirm if any of the league's franchises have applied for transfers to another city.
