Elmira Inks Affiliation Agreement with Anaheim, Syracuse
July 27, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
The Elmira Jackals announced on Tuesday evening that they have entered into an affiliation with the NHL's Anaheim Ducks and their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. The Jackals are working toward finalizing an affiliation agreement with their partners for the last two seasons, the Ottawa Senators and their AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators.
"We are excited about the opportunity to become a part of the Anaheim and Syracuse affiliation," Jackals general manager Robbie S. Nichols said. "Having, in all likelihood, two affiliates working with us will give our fans a top-caliber team to watch while making Elmira an elite destination for young players."
"I am very excited to formalize this working arrangement with the Anaheim Ducks and the Syracuse Crunch," Jackals head coach Malcolm Cameron said. "Anaheim is a very exciting organization to work with having won the Stanley Cup recently. I know they are committed to a first-class product and I look forward to helping develop their young prospects for eventual advancement to the AHL and ultimately the NHL."
The Ducks have experienced sustained success recently, making the playoffs in four of the five seasons since the NHL lockout. They won the 2007 Stanley Cup, defeating the Senators in five games, and reached the Western Conference Finals in 2006. As an eight seed in 2009, Anaheim upset top-seeded San Jose in the Western Conference Quarterfinals to qualify for the second round of the postseason.
"We are thrilled to be entering into a formal affiliation agreement with Elmira," said Ducks executive vice president/general manager Bob Murray. "With ideal proximity to Syracuse and a premier facility in First Arena, Elmira will be a key partner in the development of our young players."
Known as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim when the organization was founded in 1993 by the Walt Disney Company, the team rebranded itself as the Anaheim Ducks under current owners Henry and Susan Samueli before their championship run of 2006-2007.
Anaheim, which played in 2009-2010 without an AHL agreement, announced that Syracuse would be its affiliate for 2010-2011 on March 25. The Crunch were affiliated with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the last ten seasons.
Syracuse and Elmira were affiliates in the Jackals' UHL days and in their first ECHL season of 2007-2008. The proximity of the two clubs - 90 miles rink to rink - will prove beneficial for both during the 2010-2011 season.
The Crunch hosted the B-Sens in the Mirabito Outdoor Classic, the AHL's first-ever outdoor game, on February 20, 2010 at the New York State Fairgrounds, setting a league single-game attendance record of 21,508. Syracuse defeated Binghamton 2-1 in the record-setting game.
Last season, Ottawa and Binghamton provided Elmira with three skaters and two goaltenders which participated in at least ten games with the Jackals in 2009-2010.
Ottawa's AHL affiliate has been Binghamton ever since the B-Sens joined the AHL in 2002-2003. This past season, Ottawa brought up eight Binghamton regulars for NHL action.
"Our partnership with Ottawa and Binghamton has benefited the Jackals over the past two seasons and we look forward to completing our agreement for 2010-2011," Nichols said.
Season tickets for the Jackals are on sale now and start as low as $360. To select your seats to see Coach Cameron's Jackals in 2010-2011, call (607) 734-PUCK (7825).
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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.
