PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League are poised to leave their Maine home in favor of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Cross Insurance Arena board chairman Mitch Berkowitz says the Pirates are heading out of town after 23 years in Maine’s largest city.
Springfield wants a team to fill the void expected to be left by another AHL franchise, the Springfield Falcons. The Arizona Coyotes plan to move the Falcons to Tucson, Arizona.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno says there are still some “hurdles to overcome.” However, he says he is hopeful that move will go through.
Officials with the city of Portland say they will comment on the move later on Wednesday.
The Pirates were preceded in Portland by the Maine Mariners, who played in the city for 15 years.