Doyle: OHL going back to the Hammer?

The Ontario Hockey League has puts its shingle out in the City of Hamilton multiple times in the past, and according to a report may be looking to do so once again.

The Hamilton Spectator reports that city council there will consider a plan next week that could lead to an existing OHL franchise moving to Hamilton for the start of the 2012-13 season (this fall). The team would play out of Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena for up to five years, before moving to Copps Coliseum if the building became available. The lease for the AHL Bulldogs expires after the 2012-13 season and it is believed the club will eventually be moved to Laval, QC. Mountain Arena holds 2,500 people and is currently home to the Provincial Junior A Hamilton Red Wings, but this plan would see the club move to another venue, possibly in Ancaster.

The newspaper says city staff worked out a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in December, putting the wheels in motion prior to the OHL re-location deadline. Under league rules, any team considering a move must notify the OHL by December 31st of the previous year.

The OHL last played in Hamilton in the early 1990's as the Dukes before that franchise went on to become the Guelph Storm. There was also the Red Wings, Fincups and Steelhawks in somewhat recent memory.

Click here for the story from the Hamilton Spectator

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