The Lewiston Maineiacs denied reports the franchise has a deal to move to Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

“We’re enjoying our second-best season on the ice since we’ve been here, and we’re trying to make this market work for us,” Maineiacs President Bill Schurman said Wednesday. “When we decide it isn’t working for us, we’ll let everybody know of our future plans.”

The Maineiacs, who won the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League President’s Cup in 2007 in their fourth year of operation, are 30-15-0-2 and in second place in the Telus East Division.

Terry Murphy, Summerside’s chief administrative officer, also denied reports of a deal to move a QMJHL team to the 4,200-seat Credit Union Place.

“There is no deal in place,” he said. “Over the years, we’ve talked to a lot of teams in the league, but there is no deal in the works.”

Murphy said rumors about an impending move began circulating after QMJHL President Gilles Courteau visited the arena last fall.

“We’ve been trying to have him take a look at the arena ever since we built it, and he finally came,” Murphy said.

Credit Union Place, which opened in 2007, is the home of the Summerside Western Capitals of the Junior A Maritime Hockey League.

“We’re looking for a team in the (QMJHL),” Murphy admitted. “Eventually, we’ll get one. Whether it is today or 20 years from today, I don’t know.”

Summerside is about 45 miles north of Charlottetown, home of the QMJHL’s Prince Edward Island Rocket.

The Rocket owners, NHL Hall of Famer Serge Savard and his son Serge Savard Jr., issued a statement Wednesday denying reports they plan to move the team to Sherbrooke, Quebec.

QMJHL spokesman Karl Jahnke said teams have until Jan. 31 to notify the league of their intentions to relocate, but the league has received no official request.

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

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