Pirates Name Mighty Ducks of Anaheim New NHL Affiliate

Published on May 23, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME- The Portland Pirates announced today a new, long term, five year affiliation agreement with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim effective with the 2005-2006 AHL season. The announcement was made today by Pirates Managing Owner/CEO Brian Petrovek and Ducks' Senior Vice President/Interim General Manager Al Coates. Joining Petrovek and Coates were Pirates Chairman/Governor Lyman Bullard, Pirates President/COO Brian Williams, Ducks' Assistant General Manager Chuck Fletcher, first year pro Tim Brent, who this season played in 46 games with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, first year pro and former Maine Black Bear, Dustin Penner, who appeared in 77 games this season along with Mighty Duck's mascot Wild Wing and Pirates mascot Salty Pete.

"This is such a great day for our fans and for our entire organization and represents an important turning point in the history of Portland Pirates hockey. From my initial conversation with the Ducks, I knew that this had the makings of a special relationship, one that we're confident will raise the bar beginning today and for many years to come. This is all about striving to be the very best, competing for championships and making a difference in our community. We're looking forward to great days ahead," said Pirates Managing Owner/CEO Brian Petrovek.

"We are thrilled to announce that we are entering into a long term affiliation agreement with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Their entire organization has demonstrated a very strong commitment to providing us with outstanding players and coaches that will enable us to consistently compete for a Calder Cup Championship each year and to being an active partner that will assist us in attaining our goals as a contributing member of the Greater Portland business community. We believe that all of our fans and business partners will greatly benefit from our new partnership with Anaheim and we look forward to a long and successful relationship," said Pirates Chairman/Governor Lyman Bullard Jr.

Before teaming up with the Pirates, the Ducks were affiliated with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks dating back to 1997. During that span, the team has made the playoffs five times. The Mighty Ducks finished the 2004-05 season with a record of 44-31-1-4 for 93 points and a third place finish in the West Division and sixth in the Western Conference. They set a club record for most wins and most home wins (28). The Mighty Ducks completed the season 13 games above .500. Their success this past season pushed the team to the Western Conference Semifinal against the Chicago Wolves. The Wolves claimed the series 4-1.

As the third youngest team in the American Hockey League, there are currently 13 players in the Anaheim system that were either first or second round draft picks. The organization puts a heavy emphasis on winning and believes a player can't develop without winning. Over the past three seasons, the team has focused on drafting skilled players that can play the game with toughness, evident by the league high mark in minor penalties. Leading the Ducks' prospect pool are Joffrey Lupul, Zonon Konopka, Chris Kunitz and Pierre Parenteau with each of these players scoring at least 17 goals this season with Cincinnati; defensively the Ducks feature two gritty defensemen, Shane O'Brien and Aaron Rome who just completed his first professional season. Anaheim's philosophy includes pressuring the opponent and forcing turnovers. In a recent issue of The Hockey News Anaheim ranked 4th among the 30 NHL teams in the quality of its minor league and junior-league prospects.

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim culminated their best-ever regular season in 2003, setting franchise bests in wins and points, earning their third trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Following upsets of Detroit and Dallas in the first two rounds, the Ducks captured a Western Conference Championship by way of a series sweep of the Minnesota Wild. After a thrilling seven-game series in the Stanley Cup Finals versus the New Jersey Devils, it was clear Anaheim had cemented its place in the Southern California sports market as a model franchise built around solid play on the ice and unwavering dedication to the local community. Coupled with what hockey's leading publication (The Hockey News. Spring 2005) believes is one of the top prospect pools in the NHL, hockey in Anaheim is sure to have no shortage of future stars.

"We are very excited to be coming to a traditional hockey market and working with the Pirates' ownership and management team," said Mighty Ducks' Senior Vice President/Interim General Manager Al Coates. "Having our players in a marketplace conducive to both on and off-ice development with a group committed to winning will be very healthy for the continuation of our development that we've had over the last several years."

"Portland will be a terrific place for our young, talented prospects to continue their development," said Mighty Ducks' Assistant General Manager Chuck Fletcher. "We are looking forward to a tremendous partnership with the Pirates."

Anaheim becomes the second NHL affiliate in Pirates history. Until the end of this season, the Pirates were previously affiliated with the Washington Capitals for 12 seasons. Over that span, the Pirates compiled .457 winning percentage during the regular season with a record of 423-373-128 and made nine Calder Cup playoff appearances, including one banner season in 1993 when the Pirates won the Calder Cup.

The new long term agreement between the Pirates and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim guarantees professional hockey in the city of Portland through 2010. Since the Maine Mariners inaugural season in 1977, over 1,000 games have been played in front of over 5,500,000 fans all at the American Hockey League level. The AHL is the top development league for the National Hockey League and is celebrating its 69th season of play. Dating back to the days of the Maine Mariners, the American Hockey League has now played hockey in Portland for over 27 years. Only five other teams (Hershey, Rochester, Providence, Springfield and Cleveland) have had an American Hockey League franchise in their city longer than Portland. The building has hosted four Calder Cup Champions in 1978, 1979, 1984 and 1994 and the building and the Pirates hosted the 2003 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic.

"We are all excited by the new affiliation agreement with Anaheim," said Cumberland County Civic Center General Manger, Steve Crane. "We look forward to a new exciting era for AHL hockey in Portland!"

"Ahoy Mates! I am honored to welcome Wild Wing to our great city of Portland," said the Pirates Mascot, Salty Pete. "His popularity out in Anaheim and fun personality is sure to be a hit with all our fans in Greater Portland, plus Cracker's is thrilled to have another friend who can fly!"

Pirates season ticket plans are on sale now by calling (207) 828-4665 or by e-mailing [email protected]. The Pirates 2005-06 schedule is expected to be released in August.

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