Ice relocating to Winnipeg for the 2019-20 season –
After months and even years of rumours and speculation, the Western Hockey League has confirmed that the Kootenay Ice will be relocated to Winnipeg in time for the 2019-20 season.
At a press conference in Oak Bluff, MB, Ice owners, Greg Fettes and Matt Cockell, (both from Winnipeg), were joined by WHL Commissioner Ron Robinson to make the official announcement.
Fettes and Cocknell acquired the franchise in April 2017 from the Chynoweth family and will now operate under the title of “50 Below Sports and Entertainment”.
A season-ticket drive will begin on the team’s website (winnipegice.ca), asking for a small deposit. The team will play out of University of Manitoba’s 1,400-seat Wayne Fleming Arena for the first two years while a new arena is built outside Winnipeg. The partnership with the U of M will lead to a new scoreboard, dressing room renovations and a planned expansion of seating capacity.
Prices for Winnipeg Ice tickets at the U of M arena haven’t been released but fans can reserve seats beginning Wednesday morning.
The group also announced Tuesday it will buy the Winnipeg Blues, a Manitoba Junior Hockey League team.
The Ice franchise has won three WHL championships (2000, 2002 and 2011) and one Memorial Cup title (2002).
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