RoadRunners Sign Affiliation With San Jose Sharks
October 19, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Phoenix RoadRunners of the ECHL have signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League and the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League beginning for the upcoming 2007-08 season.
"We are thrilled about entering into this affiliation with San Jose and Worcester," said RoadRunners' Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Church. "Both are first class organizations in their respective leagues, and we look forward to what should be a tremendous partnership." Church continued, "It also offers a great opportunity to showcase our players here in Phoenix and help them potentially advance on in their hockey careers."
The RoadRunners will work closely with both San Jose and Worcester in player development, and could receive both AHL and NHL prospects over the course of the season.
"We are pleased to add the RoadRunners as our development affiliate," said San Jose Sharks Vice President and Assistant General Manager Wayne Thomas. "Phoenix has a long-standing tradition of excellence in its market - on and off the ice - and we look forward to their assistance in the development of Sharks prospects. Brad Church played in the Sharks organization and brings the same competitiveness and preparation as a coach as he did as a player."
The San Jose Sharks have been a member of the National Hockey League since 1991, and have twice been crowned as Pacific Division Champions in 2001-02 and in 2003-04. The Worcester Sharks are in their second year of existence since relocating from Cleveland prior to the 2006-07 season, and have been affiliated with San Jose since 2001.
The Phoenix RoadRunners have been a member of the ECHL, the Premier "AA" Hockey League, since 2005. Center Daniel Winnik became the first RoadRunners' ECHL player to advance to the NHL when he debuted for the Phoenix Coyotes on Oct. 4, 2007.
The ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that will have 25 teams playing in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08, including the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (New York) Jackals.
The RoadRunners return to US Airways Center at 7:11 p.m. Friday when they host the Utah Grizzlies to commence their third season in the desert. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans for the 2007-08 season of Phoenix RoadRunners Hockey are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
