The Abbotsford Heat will hit the ice for the 2013-2014 American Hockey League Season, the city’s mayor confirmed Monday, extinguishing rumours the Vancouver Canucks would relocate their farm club there in time for next season.

The Canucks were reportedly in talks with Abbotsford to move their newly purchased AHL club, the Peoria Rivermen, into the city’s Sports and Entertainment Centre – where the Heat currently play.

That would have left the Heat, affiliate of the Calgary Flames, in need of a new home.

Banman said the city was “disappointed” a deal could not be pulled off, and that it could not negotiate an agreement with the Canucks “with terms that were satisfactory within the time constraints."

All parties had until a Board of Governors meeting in May to get a deal done, but that won’t be happening now, Banman said.

“Any deal we make has to see Abbotsford taxpayers better of than they are right now – and that is one issue that isn’t negotiable,” he said.

Hockey fans have long speculated that Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini has been trying to buy the Abbotsford Sports and Entertainment Centre, move the Heat out and bring the team’s own AHL affiliate in.

A month ago that affiliate was the Chicago Wolves, but the Canucks recently parted ways with the team and purchased the Rivermen.

Those who support a team full of Canucks prospects moving to Abbotsford argue the Heat rarely fill the 7,000-seat arena to capacity and that rising stars like Vancouver prospect Jordan Schroeder would be much more of a draw for fans in the heart of Canucks nation.

Abbotsford has spent more than $3.5-million over the Heat’s past three seasons to cover shortfalls in attendance, as part of a ten year deal. The team’s existing contract with the city has them playing until 2019.

The team has the dubious distinction of having the fifth-lowest attendance rate in the 30-team league.

But the Heat’s owner said the team maintains a positive outlook heading into next season.

“We are committed to Abbotsford and we are committed to making this team a success,” said president Lane Sweeting. “We will continue to work closely with the community to build a legacy of great hockey right here in our own city.”

Last week, Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman told Vancouver's TEAM 1040 that he and chief operating officer Victor De Bonis were on the U.S. East Coast looking at potential places for the Canucks to put the Rivermen for the 2013-2014 season.

With files from CTV British Columbia’s Kelcey Brade