ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE UTICA COMETS
On June 14th, 2013, Laurence Gilman, VP of Hockey Operation with the Vancouver Canucks, announced that the team would be establishing their AHL (American Hockey League) affiliate in Utica, NY as the Utica Comets. This announcement brought professional hockey back to Utica, NY for the first time since 1993. The AUD would once again serve as home for the team, who were set to begin their inaugural season in October.