Aces Announce Affiliation With Abbotsford Heat

August 21, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


SEASON

The Alaska Aces have agreed to terms on an affiliation agreement with the NHL's Calgary Flames and the AHL's Abbotsford Heat to begin in the 2013-2014 season, Aces Managing Member, Terry Parks announced on Wednesday afternoon. Parks, Aces Head Coach, Rob Murray, and Flames Senior Vice President & Assistant General Manager, Michael Holditch were on hand at the Aces office for the announcement. The Aces will begin their 2013-2014 season at home on Friday, October 18 at Sullivan Arena when they host the San Francisco Bulls. Season ticket and sponsorship packages are currently available through the Aces office at 15th & Gambell. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.

Effective immediately, the Aces will serve as the exclusive ECHL affiliate for Calgary and Abbotsford. The reciprocal agreement will feature select Aces players attending training camps in Abbotsford, and NHL and AHL contracted players in the Flames organization being assigned to Alaska for development. The Aces have operated as an independent team for the last two seasons, but Parks said this affiliation is a huge day in the franchise's history.

"We always said we didn't just want an affiliation. We wanted the right affiliation," said Parks. The Flames are an organization on the rise. They have a great group of talented, young players, and we are certain that this relationship will pay dividends for both sides."

Flames General Manager, Jay Feaster echoed the sentiments, and said the Flames were excited to use Alaska as a launching pad for young players on their roster.

"We have a serious commitment to rebuilding and getting our prospects ready to contribute as quickly as possible in Calgary," said Feaster. "We continue to demonstrate the importance we have placed on development. In support of these objectives, we are excited to be able to add such a quality organization as the Alaska Aces to our development process."

Geographically, the affiliation will provide the Aces possibilities not available in the past. Abbotsford is located about an hour outside of Vancouver.

"We could easily have a guy called from Alaska to Abbotsford in the morning, and be in the lineup that night, and vice versa," Parks said. "That close proximity will allow both sides to use the affiliation in a way never before possible."

Murray, who played in the AHL for the St. John Flames in 2001-2002 while under contract with the Calgary Flames, had a big role in securing the affiliation between the two organizations. He said that from a coaching standpoint the affiliation will go a long way for the Aces.

"There are so many things to be excited about by partnering with Calgary and Abbotsford," Murray said. "We're going to be able to give our guys a first-hand look at AHL training camps with a top-notch organization like the Heat. They're going to be able to take that experience and grow from it all year long. Additionally, we know that we're going to get some of the best young talent around to develop throughout the season.

"We always want talented, hungry players on the Aces who are looking to improve their game, and make the guys around them better. Everybody that comes here now knows they're just a call away from that next level, and we plan to get the best out of every player that puts an Alaska jersey on this year. I've watched the Flames organization closely for a while now, and I couldn't be happier to partner with them.

Over the last three seasons the Aces and Heat have had an unofficial relationship. Last season Aces forward Tyler Ruegsegger attended training camp with the Heat and remained there for the entire season. Additionally, Aces players Kane Lafranchise, Jordan Kremyr, and Garry Nunn attended training camp in Abbotsford. In both 2010-11 and 2011-2012, Ruegsegger and defenseman, Russ Sinkewich were called up to the Heat from Alaska.

The Flames have been in the NHL since 1972, and have resided in Calgary since a move from Atlanta in 1980. They were the 1989 Stanley Cup Champions, and additionally won the Western Conference crown in 1986, 1989, and 2004. Calgary is coached by Bob Hartley, who is in his second season behind the Flames bench. The Heat are entering their fourth season in the American Hockey League. They have made the playoffs in two of their prior four seasons, and earned a franchise-best 92 points in the 2011-2012 season. The Heat are coached by Troy Ward, who has been part of Abbotsford's coaching staff since 2010. He is entering his third year as the club's Head Coach.



ECHL Stories from August 21, 2013


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