After weeks and months of speculation, worry and anxiety, the Newfoundland Growlers and the city of St. John’s announced this morning a short-term lease agreement for the use of Mile One Centre in downtown St. John’s. Hockey is officially back on The Rock.

Per a press release from the Growlers, the new lease agreement will run for three seasons and goes on to say that in the coming weeks “we will provide a media availability to demonstrate our long-term commitment and further investment in professional sports teams and facilities in the region.”

This is just speculation on my part but the statement seems to suggest that the Growlers ownership group is moving on from their bid to acquire Mile One from the grips of City Council and will instead turn their focus to building their own arena elsewhere in the metro region. When that media availability takes place, as well as player signing announcements (which the team says will be coming soon), we’ll have all the details here, so stay tuned!