Plymouth Whalers to move to Flint, pending approval

Plymouth

— The new owners of a hockey arena have acquired the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers and plan to move the team to Flint from suburban Detroit.

Details of the planned sale by Peter Karmanos Jr. to IMS USA were announced Wednesday at Compuware Arena, where the Whalers currently play.

Terms of the agreement weren't immediately released. The deal needs league approval, which could come Feb. 2. IMS USA last month announced plans to buy Flint's Perani Arena.

Karmanos, who co-founded software development company Compuware, owns the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes. He says Flint is an "ideal location" for an Ontario Hockey League team.

Plans call for the Whalers to play starting this fall in Flint.