The AHL might undergo some alignment changes for next season, specifically in the Western Conference, and one change could include a Massachusetts-based team moving to California.

Mark Purdy of the Mercury News reported Wednesday that the Worcester Sharks (San Jose’s affiliate) are one of the teams on the move.

“The Sharks will move their minor league Worcester franchise in Massachusetts to SAP Center for the 2015-16 season, this newspaper has learned,” Purdy writes. “The team will play between 30 and 40 games in downtown San Jose, filling up currently vacant dates at the arena.

“The move is an unconventional one. No other National Hockey League team shares a building with its minor league affiliate, although the Toronto Maple Leafs’ minor league team, the Marlies, plays in the same city at a different arena.”

This is sad news for AHL fans in the New England region. The Sharks have played in Worcester since October 2006. They won a division title in 2009-10 and were among the chief rivals of the Providence Bruins (AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins).

The Worcester Sharks have helped develop several talented NHL players, most notably San Jose center Logan Couture.

Thumbnail photo via Elise Amendola/Associated Press