A news conference is scheduled today that will announce that Charlotte Checkers owner Michael Kahn has purchased the Albany Rivers Rats and will relocate the AHL team to the Queen City, several news outlets are reporting. The Rats are currently the Carolina Hurricanes affiliate, and it is assumed that the relationship would continue with the franchise moving into the state.

Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos talked about the prospects of having Carolina's top affiliate in Charlotte during a Raleigh press conference yesterday, saying "one plus one equals more than two." Albany has had an AHL franchise for the past 17 seasons and is reportedly looking for a way to keep a franchise in the city.

We'll have updates as more information becomes available.