Habs fans stoked Montreal farm team coming to St. John's
There was a big announcement Thursday night for AHL fans in St. John's, as Danny Williams announced the Montreal Canadiens' farm team would be coming to Newfoundland and Labrador.
"I was just ecstatic, I couldn't believe it," fan Bob Pettigrew told CBC News at Mile One Centre, where he went Friday afternoon to reserve his season tickets.
- Hamilton Bulldogs moving to St. John's, IceCaps to Winnipeg
- Winnipeg hockey fans await return of AHL franchise with open arms
Pettigrew said he was worried about the future of hockey in the city, but he never thought it could be this great.
"I said to one of my buddies the other day in an email that I've been a Habs fan since 1949 when Newfoundland wasn't even part of Canada, and we used to hear Foster Hewitt say, 'Hello Canada, hockey fans in the United States and Newfoundland,'" he said.
"That's when I became a fan — at five years old. Been one ever since."
I've been a Habs fan since 1949 when Newfoundland wasn't even part of Canada, and we used to hear Foster Hewitt say, "Hello Canada, hockey fans in the United States and Newfoundland"- Bob Pettigrew
Hockey fans were concerned when it looked like the Jets were calling their farm team back home to Manitoba, but no announcement on a team for St. John's followed.
Ian Craig said he doesn't care what the team is — if they play in St. John's, they have his support.
"I have my favourite NHL team, and whatever AHL team comes along local I'm going to support," said Craig.
"Made no difference to me, I was just glad to hear we were going to keep having AHL hockey."
Good for business either way
While some people are having mixed feelings about losing the current IceCaps team to Winnipeg, business owners say it's still going to be good for business.
The team name will still be the IceCaps, but a new uniform has yet to be released.
Corbett said he'll have to hold sales to sell off the old team merchandise, but the diehard fans will still be out for the new versions.
"You got stock left now that you've got to get rid of, but at the same time now you should sell more starting off next year because everybody's gonna want the new jersey, the new t-shirt, the new hat, so that will certainly be a boost for business," said Corbett.
He added that while he's not a Montreal fan, he's still happy there will be a team.
"It's unfortunate it's only two years, I guess we can always hope it might be more like the IceCaps got extended [before], but the way it's looking with the move to Laval that's not gonna happen," said Corbett.
"But I think with Montreal being such a strong fanbase here that it will be two sold out years at the stadium, and that'll be good for both business wise and the economy and everything else."
Season tickets and prices aren't available yet, but as of Friday fans can put down a $50 deposit to reserve their season pass.