Milwaukee, Nashville Extend Affiliation
March 14, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Milwaukee Admirals News Release
The Nashville Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile and the Milwaukee Admirals Executive Vice President/General Manager Phil Wittliff have jointly announced today that the Admirals will continue to serve as the Predators top developmental affiliate through the 2006-2007 season. Per conditions of the agreement, the Admirals will continue to receive the majority of their players from the Predators.
"We are extremely pleased to extend our affiliation with a first-class organization like the Predators," noted Wittliff. "David Poile, (Assistant General Manager) Ray Shero and their staff are committed to developing players by creating a winning tradition in Milwaukee, as evidenced by the success we have had in our relationship with Nashville."
Currently in their seventh season with Nashville, the Admirals are 264-201-34-54 (.556) while serving as the Predators top farm club. The affiliation reached a high point last year when the Ads captured the American Hockey League Title, the team's first professional title after 27 years in the IHL and AHL. Milwaukee Head Coach Claude Noel was tabbed as the AHL Coach of the Year as the team topped the league in wins (43) and points (102) while prospect Darren Haydar led the AHL in playoff scoring, notching 26 points (11g-15a) in 22 games.
"This partnership has and will continue to pay dividends for the Predators, the Admirals and the fans in both cities," said Poile. "Milwaukee has been a terrific place for our young players to develop. The Admirals have created a winning tradition and a culture of high expectations, and that can only be beneficial to the development of our young players and ultimately, the Nashville Predators."
The Ads success has continued into this season as the team is currently in first place in the West Division with 85 points (39-18-3-4). Three Nashville prospects (Dan Hamhuis, Simon Gamache and Andrew Hutchinson) were selected to play in the 2005 AHL All-Star Classic, while Noel and Assistant Coach Todd Richards manned the bench for the Canadian All-Stars.
"Claude Noel and Todd Richards have done a remarkable job working with future Nashville Predators, and in doing so, delivered a championship to Milwaukee and to our organization," said Shero.
Since the Predators-Admirals relationship began in the 1998-99 season, 71 players have suited up for both squads including current Preds Tomas Vokun, Martin Erat, Denis Arkipov, Kimmo Timonen, and Jeremy Stevenson. In addition, the players who comprised Nashville's playoff roster in 2003-04, their first season qualifying for the NHL playoffs, played over a combined 450 games with Milwaukee over their careers.
Players currently on the Admirals roster who have spent time in Nashville include Dan Hamhuis, Jordin Tootoo, Andrew Hutchinson, Simon Gamache, Timofei Shishkanov, Scottie Upshall, Darren Haydar, Wyatt Smith, Libor Pivko, Vern Fiddler, and Brian Finley. In addition, the Admirals roster includes 13 players drafted by the Predators, including number one draft picks Finley, Hamhuis, Upshall and Ryan Suter.
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