The Winnipeg Free Press sure seems to believe that may soon be the case:
In the report published on Friday it’s said that the Kootenay Ice are preparing to announce a relocation to Winnipeg for as soon as next season as part of a large new development in the Provincial capital. Though no sources are directly named its claimed that a new 4000 seat arena will eventually serve as home ice for the team but that it would initially play out of the University of Manitoba until the new facility is ready.
I should be clear I have no direct information myself except to discuss what is being reported in the media. No official named sources have made any kind of announcement of any change to the franchise.
There have been rumours about the league’s return to the Peg for many, many years since the Winnipeg Warriors moved to Moose Jaw though it’s hard not to note the level of confidence in this particular report. Time will tell, though you couldn’t blame local hockey fans if while being sympathetic to the reported plight of Cranbrook fans they were also intrigued by the thought of a potential true natural geographic rival for the Wheat Kings.