Colorado Eagles Announce Working Agreements with AHL and NHL Teams
Published on September 25, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release
Windsor, CO â The Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League (CHL) have officially announced a working agreements with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL), the front announced today.
The Colorado Eagles currently have four players attending Wilkes-Barre's camp. Assistant Coach and defenseman Brent Thompson is attending camp along with three players assigned to the Colorado Eagles through AHL contracts; defenseman, Scott Swanson; right wing, Greg Pankewicz (PANK-a-witz); and goalie, Ryan Bach. Center, Riley Nelson of the Colorado Eagles is currently attending camp in San Antonio with the Florida Panther's affiliated AAA team, the Rampage.
"Our working agreements with the Wilkes-Barre of the AHL and the Florida Panthers of the NHL will directly help the product that the Colorado Eagles will put on the ice," stated Chris Stewart, Head Coach of the Colorado Eagles. "In some situations teams have affiliations for naming rights only and this does not help their on ice product."
"A working agreement with teams of this caliber functions as a mutually productive situation for the organizations and for the players involved ," stated Ralph Backstrom, President and General Manager of the Colorado Eagles. "These partnerships will create depth for the AHL teams involved while providing tremendous talent to the Colorado Eagles organization."
Swanson was selected by the Washington Capitals in the NHL draft in 1995, the same year he began attending and playing hockey for Colorado College. The 6' 2", 190 pound defenseman and Minnesota native spent his last two seasons playing for the Idaho Steelheads of the West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) and was named Defenseman of the Year for the 2002-03 season.
"Swanson is a highly skilled offensive defenseman who can also play a physical game," stated Stewart.
At 6', 200 pounds right winger Pankewicz adds even more of a physical presence to the Colorado Eagles. The Alberta, Canada native has played a total of 21 games in the NHL for the Ottawa Senators and the Calgary Flames. Pankewicz spent his last two seasons playing for the Pensacola Ice Pilots where he amassed 646 penalty minutes.
"Pankewicz is a complete player who can skate and score with the best of them," stated Stewart. "He also provides a fierce competitive nature will add to the drive of the entire team."
Bach, another player from Colorado College, has spent the last two years playing in Europe with the Super League for the Sheffield Steelers and the Belfast Giants. The 6' 1", 180 pounds goalie and Alberta native has also played in the NHL for the Los-Angeles Kings and has played 28 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the 1999-00 season where he is know attending training camp.
"Bach is excited to be a part of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton organization," stated Stewart. "He is also excited to return to Colorado, simply put this is an opportunity that he could not pass up."
Nelson, a native of British Columbia, has been assigned to the Colorado Eagles through the Florida Panther's AHL team, the San Antonio Rampage. The center is currently attending camp in San Antonio. Nelson played in the AHL last season for the Rochester Americans.
"Having coached Nelson's older brother at the Canadian Junior level I was aware of the type of character we would be acquiring," stated Stewart. "Nelson shows both speed and skill and will provide the Eagles with an exciting scoring punch!"
To be placed on the season ticket waiting list contact the Colorado Eagles front office at (970) 674-SHOT. Ticket prices for the Colorado Eagles two pre-season games against their division rival, Oklahoma City Blazers, are $12.50. The Colorado Eagles will be offering special group rates for the exhibition games. Groups of 15 or more will be able to purchase tickets for $10 per seat. To make your group reservations call 970-686-SHOT. Available reserved seats for all other Colorado Eagles home games are priced at $16.00. Single game tickets are also available at Club Level for $21. Only single seats remain for the Colorado Eagles first official game October 17 against division rival, the Tulsa Oilers. To reserve single game tickets call (877) 544-TIXX, go to ComcastTix.com, or visit the box offices at the Budweiser Events Center and Fort Fun in Fort Collins.
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