San Diego Gulls To Move Games To Irvine Due To COVID-19 Protocols

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Gulls announced Monday they will play their home games at FivePoint Arena at Great Park Ice in Irvine due to COVID-19 health protocols.

Joe Spurrier, a media and communications specialist for the American Hockey League team, said the Gulls would move temporarily to Orange County to ensure all teams operating in the NHL's Anaheim Ducks organization are in one location and under the same health protocols. The Gulls are the Ducks' AHL affiliate.

"The Gulls are committed to San Diego long-term and will return to Pechanga Arena San Diego as soon as it is feasible for the organization and deemed safe by local and state health officials to welcome back fans to the arena," Spurrier said.

"We eagerly await the start of the upcoming season and look forward to playing in front of America's finest fans as soon as possible."

The Gulls are among four AHL teams who will be temporarily relocating for the 2020-21 season.

The Ontario Reign, the Los Angeles Kings' AHL affiliate, will play in El Segundo; the Binghamton Devils, the New Jersey Devils' AHL affiliate, will play in Newark, New Jersey; and the Providence Bruins, the Boston Bruins' AHL affiliate, will play in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

The Charlotte Checkers, Milwaukee Admirals and Springfield Thunderbirds have elected to opt out of play for the 2020-21 season. All three teams will return to play in the 2021-22 season.

— City News Service