Habs expected to announce IceCaps move Monday

The Montreal Canadiens are expected to announce at a press conference Monday that Laval, Que., will be the new home of its farm team for the 2017-18 season.

The St. John's IceCaps, currently the Canadiens' farm club, have one season left to play at Mile One.

One more season in St. John's was possible if the arena in Laval wasn't ready in time for the 2017-18 season, but the city says construction is on schedule for a September opening.

The Canadiens moved its farm club from Hamilton to Mile One last season for a two-year contract, after the Winnipeg Jets moved its AHL affiliate from St. John's to be closer to the parent club.

Canadiens owner Geoff Molson and general manager Marc Bergevin as well as Laval Mayor Marc Demers will be at Monday's press conference.

When asked for comment on the future of the team, IceCaps director of communications Dave Salter said, "We have no comment at this point."

Farm team will be closer to home

The team will play at Place Bell, a new, $120-million, 10,000-seat arena with adjoining practice rinks.

When the team moves to Laval, it will mark the first time the Canadiens have had its AHL affiliate within the same province since the Quebec Citadelles merged with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2002.

The move will put the Canadiens' farm club just a 40-minute drive away from Montreal, making it easier for the team to call players up to the big league.

It's a familiar story for St. John's hockey fans; the AHL's St. John's Maple Leafs left Newfoundland in 2005 to be closer to its parent club in Toronto.