After weeks of speculation, it appears to be official - The Blue Jackets AHL affiliate will now be the Lake Erie Monsters.
Late in the day yesterday, The Columbus Dispatch reported that the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate team will be based in Cleveland starting next season. The team has parted ways with the Springfield Falcons, a partnership that dates back to 2010.
The new AHL affiliate will be the Lake Erie Monsters, a team that has been owned by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert since its inception in 2007. The Monsters play their home games in Quicken Loans Arena (home of the NBA Cavs), a rarity for a minor-league team to play in a major-league venue.