The ECHL experiment in St. John's doesn't seem to have worked out for the Leafs. Despite winning the Kelly Cup as an expansion team, the Newfoundland Growlers will relocate since they couldn't come to an agreement with Mile One on the arena fees.
A few weeks ago, the Growlers' owner visited the arena in Trois-Rivières. It took me by surprise. But I initially thought it was one ECHL team owner simply visiting an arena that was rumored to be an option for the AA league. Some news in Newfoundland broke recently about the issues the Growlers and a basketball team were having with the arena about the price tag. Then it clicked in my mind that the visit to Trois-Rivières wasn't coincidental.
I'd be happy for the city to get some hockey. But it would sting knowing that it's the Leafs who got a team there and not the Canadiens.
Apparently, the Habs were exploring affiliating with St. John's, who was looking to bring an ECHL team to Newfoundland. However, they had chosen to affiliate themselves with the Leafs instead. And the Habs weren't officially affiliated with anyone, but had a working relationship with Maine and sent other players around the ECHL.