The inevitable has happened.
The British Columbia Hockey League board of governors approved the sale and relocation of the Quesnel Millionaires junior A hockey team to the Chiefs Development Group (CDG) in Chilliwack.
For the owners of the Quesnel Millionaires the news is good.
"It's a relief to finally get it done," president of the Quesnel Millionaires Bob Sales said.
In the end, Sales said, he was glad for the players.
"We're [Mills owners] are happy for the kids, they will have the opportunity to play in a good arena."
Although BC Hockey must approve the deal, the BCHL's unanimous vote in favour of the sale and relocation will see the Mills head to Chilliwack for the upcoming 2011-2012 season.
The CDG, previous owners of the Langley Chiefs and consisting mainly of Moray Keith and Jim Bond, purchased the Quesnel Millionaires franchise with the intent of moving it to Chilliwack.
Longtime Chiefs head coach and general manager Harvey Smyl agreed to an ownership position within the new group.
“I’m very happy to have the great support of the BCHL board of governors and that they’d vote unanimously to bring Chilliwack back into our league," BCHL board chairman Darcy Rota said.
“There are still some points that need to be cleared up before it’s official but we’re sure that will happen very soon.”
CDG recently sold the Langley franchise but retain the rights to the “Chiefs” nickname, although a nickname for the new franchise has yet to be announced.
The Chilliwack team will play in the Interior Conference for the coming season and the league will be realigned after that.
Due to the late timing of the application, BC Hockey will be holding an exceptional conference call of its executive committee in order to formalize, review and approve the sale and relocation of the Millionaires.