Falcons to begin affiliation with Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004-05

Published on February 5, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, MA - The Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League (AHL) today announced that the club has signed a three-year affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning will become the Falcons' sole NHL affiliate beginning in the 2004-05 season.

The Tampa Bay organization will provide the Falcons with the full roster of players, as well as the head coach and an assistant coach. While the Lightning will make all decisions related to hockey operations, Springfield president and general manager Bruce Landon will serve an advisory role to Tampa Bay regarding the AHL and the needs of the Falcons.

"In partnering with Tampa, I will be working with general manager Jay Feaster who has done a brilliant job of turning the Lightning into one of the most exciting teams in the National Hockey League," said Landon. "In addition, I will be working closely with a man who has been a friend of mine for 15 years. Jay has won a championship in our league as president and general manager of the Hershey Bears and understands how important being competitive is to the success of his American Hockey League partner. I look forward to working closely with Jay and his hockey staff in providing Tampa Bay with a great environment to develop his prospects and icing a team that Springfield can be proud of."

Today's announced agreement will renew a partnership between the organizations that existed during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons when the Falcons held a dual affiliation with Tampa Bay and the Phoenix Coyotes. The new agreement marks the first time the Lightning will serve as Springfield's lone NHL affiliate.

"We are extremely pleased to be affiliating with one of the best-run franchises in the American Hockey League. I have known Bruce Landon for almost 15 years now and have had the pleasure of working both with him the past two years and against him for eight years in Hershey. He is one of the best owners and operators in the AHL and consistently runs a first-class operation," said Feaster.

"We are not simply looking to develop players for Tampa Bay, but we are determined to put a winning product on the ice for the Springfield fans and community," Feaster continued. "I am a firm believer that players develop faster and more effectively in a positive, up-beat, winning atmosphere where they enjoy coming to the rink each day. It is exactly that type of winning environment that we intend to create in Springfield next season and for years to come."

This season Tampa Bay is affiliated with Hershey as well as the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs.

The Falcons' new agreement will also effectively end the club's long affiliation with the Coyotes' organization after the current season. The Falcons entered their inaugural season of 1994-95 as an affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets. Springfield continued as the NHL club's primary minor-league affiliate through their move to Arizona to become the Coyotes in 1996 and up to the present.

"About three weeks ago, I held several candid conversations with the Coyotes about the need for a fresh start that would be good for both Springfield and Phoenix. We mutually agreed to go in a new direction for the 2004-05 season and beyond," said Landon. "I want to thank the Phoenix Coyotes and in particular Michael Barnett and Laurence Gilman. Although we have suffered through some difficult times together, I appreciate the efforts they made on behalf of the Springfield Falcons."

The Lightning will interview and select coaches for the Falcons during the upcoming off-season.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2004


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