Ohio is Sharks territory
August 31, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Barons News Release
SAN JOSE-San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson and Sharks Vice President and Assistant General Manager and Cleveland Barons General Manager Wayne Thomas announced today that the club has developed a secondary affiliation with the Toledo Storm of the ECHL, America's Premier "AA" Hockey League. The Sharks also share an affiliation with the Fresno Falcons of the ECHL. The AHL Barons serve as the Sharks' top development affiliate.
Entering their fifteenth ECHL season, the Storm have reached the postseason eleven out of fourteen times. The Storm finished in fourth place of the North Division with a 41-26-5 record during the 2004-05 season. They are led by the reigning ECHL Coach of the Year Nick Vitucci, a former goaltender with 14 years of professional playing experience.
"We are pleased to welcome the Toledo Storm into the Sharks organization," said Thomas. "Being one of the most accomplished and successful franchises in the ECHL, we fully expect the Storm to strengthen our developmental system. Also, when the need arises, it is a perfect pipeline to filter prospects into Cleveland from a geographic standpoint."
CHL's Youngstown To Act As An AHL Affiliate
CLEVELAND - Cleveland Barons President Michael T. Lehr announced today that the organization has entered an affiliation agreement with the Youngstown Steelheads of the Central Hockey League for the upcoming 2005-2006 hockey season.
"We are pleased to see hockey continue its growth in Ohio," said Lehr. "Youngstown is a great partner for us and we are proud to serve as the Steelhounds' AHL affiliate for their inaugural season."
The Steelhounds will be playing their home games at the Youngstown Convocation Center, located a little more than 70 miles from the city of Cleveland.
Barons Vice-President of Hockey/Business Operations Michael Mudd appreciates the proximity, "I look forward to scouting some CHL games this season. In the past, geography has made it tough to do so."
"With this partnership and affiliation with the Cleveland Barons, it further gives our team and our league credibility in the hockey world," said Youngstown General Manager George Manias. "In addition, this partnership will help from a marketing standpoint, as we can have some great promotions between our two teams."
The Barons will open their 2005-06 Regular Season schedule on the National City Rink located in Gund Arena on Saturday, October 8th against the Rochester Americans at 7:05pm. Fans can secure their seat to the home opener by purchasing any Full Season, Partial Plan, or 20-Game Flex Plan package. For more information, contact the Front Office at 216.420.0000 or Crash The Net at www.clevelandbarons.net.
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American Hockey League Stories from August 31, 2005
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- Ohio is Sharks territory - Cleveland Barons
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.
