Condors secure affiliation with Anaheim Ducks
May 21, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Anaheim Ducks and Bakersfield Condors today announced an agreement for a working affiliation starting with the 2008-09 season. The announcement was made today at a press conference by Anaheim Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke and Bakersfield Condors Team President Matthew Riley.
The agreement secures the Condors their first official affiliation, after having several players graduate to the American and National Hockey Leagues while independent, including Yutaka Fukufuji, Connor James, Alexandre Bolduc and Mark Derlago, among others. Details in regards to the exact number of players that will be assigned to Bakersfield have yet to be finalized. "This is an exciting moment in the history of this organization," said Riley. "Not only to be able to secure an affiliation, but secure one with a first class franchise like the Ducks, fellow Californians and an organization that shares the same philosophies that we have. It's a banner day in Condorstown."
"We are very excited to be entering into a formal affiliation agreement with an organization that is held in such high regard in professional hockey," said Burke, who was selected in April by The Hockey News as the NHL's top General Manager. "The Bakersfield Condors have a track record of success both on and off the ice and this agreement will only help further the growth of hockey in California."
"I took the challenge personally this year in getting an affiliation as this was one of the only off-ice obstacles we hadn't overcome," said Condors Owner Jonathan Fleisig, who played an integral role in lining up the connection between the Ducks and the Condors. "The entire organization and city played a definitive part with the crowd support and first class facilities we have to offer. NHL teams could no longer ignore us, they just needed to meet us. I was thrilled to connect with Brian and know that our philosophies were the same on charity and community involvement, and having character players don our jerseys. We look forward to a long-term partnership."
The Condors have won 40 or more games in three of their five seasons as members of the ECHL, and last season operated as one of only three teams without an affiliation with an NHL club. Head Coach Marty Raymond will remain behind the bench with the Condors, with a contract that runs through the 2009- 2010 season. Bakersfield drew over 200,000 fans last season for the eighth time in their 10-year history, and averaged 5,628 fans per game during the regular season to rank fifth in the 25-team circuit. The Condors also raised over $433,000 in cash, goods and services for local charities in 2007-08, bringing their all-time total to nearly $3 million.
The Anaheim Ducks became the first California- based National Hockey League (NHL) team to win the Stanley Cup in 2007 and have enjoyed a franchise- record three consecutive trips to the playoffs since the 2005-06 season. With 102 points in 2007-08, the Ducks posted their second straight 100-point season and became the first team to appear in a Stanley Cup Final and record 100-or-more points the following year since New Jersey in 2003-04.
The Ducks sold out all 40 home games at Honda Center during the 2007-08 regular season, marking just the second time a local Southern California NHL team has sold out an entire home season schedule. The Ducks set franchise records in 2007-08 for sellouts, average attendance (17,195) and percent capacity (100.12%). Anaheim has recorded 77 consecutive sellouts at Honda Center (62 regular season, 15 playoff) and owns the third-longest active regular season sellout streak among U.S.-based NHL teams. The Ducks were recently named the top NHL team and No. 5 overall in the ESPN The Magazine "Ultimate Standings," which is based on eight categories, including Title Track, Ownership, Coaching, Players, Fan Relations, Affordability, Stadium Experience and Bang for the Buck.
The Condors Opening Night is just 150 days away, when they host the Ontario Reign to start the 2008-09 season on Saturday, October 18. Ticket plans are on sale now for as low as $42. Any fan signing up for two (2) mini plan packages can receive a free Condors youth jersey, while supplies last! Contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825) for details regarding full season ticket holder benefits and remaining seat availability.
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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.
