Springfield, Massachusetts, which has been home to an American Hockey League franchise for almost 80 years, may soon be left without a team.
The NHL’s Arizona Coyotes Tuesday announced an agreement to purchase the Springfield Falcons and plans to relocate the AHL franchise to Tucson for the start of the next season.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said he’s concerned how the loss of 40 hockey games a year at the MassMutual Center will impact vendors and downtown bars and restaurants.
" Our goal now is to see if professional hockey can continue to stay in the city of Springfield," said Sarno
The Falcons home attendance this season was less than half the AHL average of almost 6,000 fans per game.
