NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Norfolk Admirals

Tampa Bay Lightning and Norfolk Admirals Enter Into Affiliation Agreement with ECHL's Augusta Lynx

July 24, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


TAMPA, FL - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have entered into a one-year affiliation agreement with the Augusta Lynx of the ECHL, it was announced today by Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton. Augusta will serve as the primary ECHL affiliate of the Lightning and Admirals starting with the 2008-09 season.

Admirals general manager Mike Butters, Augusta general manager Dan Troutman and owners Jan and Robert Burch made the announcement at a 1 p.m. news conference today in Augusta. The Lightning organization will provide the Lynx with players under NHL and AHL contracts. Tampa Bay will also play a role in selecting the coaching staff.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome the Augusta Lynx to the Lightning organization," Lawton said. "The Lynx and their management team are committed to success and it shows by them making the playoffs in six of their 10 seasons in operation. We feel that due to the organization's desire to win, and because of its proximity to Tampa and our AHL affiliate in Norfolk, there really is not a better option for us in the ECHL. We look forward to our prospects playing an important role in bringing the Kelly Cup to Augusta."

"We are thrilled to be a part of the Lightning organization, and we look forward to working together in order to win championships," Troutman said. "With the aggressive moves their new ownership have pursued since purchasing the team, we feel Tampa Bay's commitment and passion to winning is a great asset to our club. Our goal as a club is to bring the Kelly Cup to Augusta, and an affiliation with an organization with as much success as the Lightning have had brings us closer to that goal. We look forward to helping young players refine their skills on their road to the NHL."

Tampa Bay previously had secondary affiliations with Mississippi, Pensacola, Johnstown, Toledo, Chesapeake, Nashville and Knoxville of the ECHL. The Admirals previously held ECHL affiliations with Mississippi, Toledo, Greenville, Florence, Roanoke and Jackson.

Based in Augusta, Georgia, the Lynx were founded in 1998. The team played as the Raleigh (NC) IceCaps from 1991-98. The team posted a 32-35-5 record last season as an affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks and qualified for the postseason for the third consecutive year. They were eliminated by the South Carolina Stingrays in the first round after five games of a best-of-five series. Augusta has posted a 332-320-50-14 record in franchise history and has made the playoffs in six of their 10 seasons in Augusta.

Former Admirals to have played with the Lynx include Mike Brodeur, Nick Kuiper, Jay Leach, Steve Munn, Pierre Parenteau, Geoff Peters and Jason Saal.

The twentieth season of Admirals hockey starts this October. Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2008-09 season tickets today. Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope or call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime!

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from July 24, 2008


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.

OurSports Central