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AHL introduces Pacific Division made up of 5 California-based teams

Kevin Kuo / Reuters

Go west, AHL.

In what league president David Andrews calls a monumental shift in the geography of the league, five California cities are set to play host to AHL teams.

Here's a quick run down of the trail being blazed, according to Travis Hughes of SB Nation.

  • The Worcester Sharks are moving from Massachusetts to San Jose, and will split the SAP Center with the NHL's Sharks.
  • The Adirondack Flames are moving from Glens Falls, N.Y. to Stockton, Calif.
  • The Manchester Monarchs, the Los Angeles Kings minor-league affiliate, are moving to Ontario, Calif.
  • The Edmonton Oilers are moving their AHL affiliate from Oklahoma City. to Bakersfield, Calif.
  • The Anaheim Ducks minor-league club, the Norfolk Admirals, will move to San Diego. A new nickname will be announced in February.

"We are thrilled to bring the AHL to California, and continue the growth of the game on the West Coast," Andrews declared.

The teams will begin playing in their new homes beginning next season.

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