GULLS TO START THIS SEASON IN IRVINE

Another San Diego sports team is moving north.

But, similar to San Diego State’s football team playing in Carson, the Gulls shifting their home games to Irvine is only temporary.

And, unlike the Aztecs, who won’t be able to play in Mission Valley until at least September 2022, the Gulls are hoping their move is only for one season, or even less if fans are allowed back into sporting events this spring.

“The ideal situation,” said Matt Savant, Gulls president of business operations, “would be to get the clearance from the state and the county, the Gulls are playing well late in the season, bound for the playoffs, and we get in a nice long playoff run with the (San Diego) crowd waving towels and enjoying themselves. That’s the best-case scenario.”

The American Hockey League team announced in a statement Monday it will “temporarily play home games” at FivePoint Arena at Great Ice Park in Irvine. The move, the team said, will ensure all players within the Anaheim Ducks organization — the Gulls’ NHL parent club — “are in one location under the same health protocols.”

“We’re going to keep our players safe,” Savant said. “... We don’t want anyone to think this temporary move is any more than that. The goal is to get back to Pechanga Arena — we just signed an extension to keep us there for several years and our goal is to be in San Diego for the long term. We’re so well received by the San Diego community. It’s been a great marriage.”

The Gulls will not be the only AHL team temporarily relocating. The rival Ontario Reign will play in El Segundo, where their parent club, the Los Angeles Kings, are headquartered. Also, the Binghamton Devils will play in Newark, N.J., and the Providence Bruins will play in Marlborough, Mass.

Three other teams — the Charlotte Checkers, Milwaukee Admirals and Springfield Thunderbirds — decided to opt out of the 2020-21 season. They are expected to return to play in 2021-22.

The AHL season, which was delayed from its normal start in October, is now set to start Feb. 5 with 28 teams. The NHL season is scheduled to begin Jan. 13.

Savant said about 15 percent of the club’s full-time staff has been furloughed until the team can sell tickets again. He said he doesn’t know what percentage of capacity would have to be allowed by state and county officials for the Gulls to decide it makes business sense to open the doors to fans.

The Gulls plan to televise more than 10 games this season in San Diego, Savant said. Details will be announced later.