Springfield, MA (My Sportsbook) - The American Hockey League announced memberships of three new clubs following its Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday in Chicago.

The league approved teams in Austin, Texas, Glens Falls, N.Y., and Abbotsford, British Colombia.

The Board approved a limited membership to Hicks Cedar Park, LLC, conditioned on the group completing the purchase of an AHL franchise within one year. The group will operate the team in Austin for the 2009-10 season.

In addition, the Calgary Flames top affiliate, the Quad City Flames, have been relocated to Abbotsford, and the Philadelphia Flyers top affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, have been relocated to Glens Falls following the transfer of ownership to a newly formed entity known as Phantoms Hockey LLC, owned by the Brooks Group.

"On behalf of our Board, it's my privilege to welcome these three cities to the AHL family," AHL President and CEO David Andrews said. "We are looking forward to these new opportunities in Austin and Abbotsford, and we're excited to be returning to the rich AHL tradition and history in Glens Falls."

The Texas Stars will begin play as the AHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars at the brand-new Cedar Park Center in the Austin suburb of Cedar Park this fall. The Abbotsford club will play at the new Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. Philadelphia's new AHL affiliate will play in the Glens Falls Civic Center, which was home to four Calder Cup championship teams during the 1980's and 1990's.