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AHL San Antonio Rampage

Rampage Announce Five-Year Affiliation Agreement with Colorado Avalanche

April 17, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
San Antonio Rampage News Release


SAN ANTONIO (April 17, 2015) - The San Antonio Rampage announced today that the American Hockey League (AHL) club has entered into a five-year affiliation agreement with the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). The deal, which was announced jointly by Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) President Rick Pych and Colorado Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Joe Sakic, will make the Rampage the top affiliate of the Avalanche through the 2019-20 season.

"We are excited to announce that the Colorado Avalanche will be our new NHL affiliate starting with the 2015-16 season," Pych said. "Under the leadership of two terrific Hockey Hall-of-Famers in Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy, the Avalanche are committed to developing the same type of great young hockey players that have lead Colorado to two Stanley Cup championships."

Colorado will provide San Antonio with players, coaches and hockey operations staff. The Avalanche will be the Rampage's third NHL affiliate in the club's 13-year history. San Antonio has been the top affiliate of the Florida Panthers since the 2011-12 season and was also affiliated with the Panthers from 2002-05. The Silver and Black spent the 2005-11 seasons as the top affiliate of the then-Phoenix Coyotes.

"Our new Rampage General Manager, Craig Billington, as well as the entire Avalanche organization all share the same values, passion and competitive spirit that is synonymous with Spurs Sports & Entertainment, and we're fortunate to be able to partner with them for the upcoming season and beyond," Pych said.

Former Avalanche captain Joe Sakic was named Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations of the Avalanche organization on May 10, 2013 and oversees all hockey-related decisions for the club. Sakic's playing career spanned 20 seasons and 1,378 games with the same organization. He wore the 'C' as team captain for 16 consecutive seasons (17 seasons overall) and led the Avalanche to two Stanley Cup titles (1996, 2001). A Burnaby, B.C. native, Sakic captured the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2001, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1996, earned the Lester B. Pearson Award (NHLPA MVP) and Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship) in 2001 and was named to the NHL's First All-Star Team on three occasions (2001, 2002 and 2004). He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012, his first year of eligibility.

"We are pleased to announce this new affiliation with San Antonio," said Sakic. "The Rampage organization has a great reputation and we look forward to our prospects developing in such an environment."

Craig Billington, Colorado's assistant general manager, will direct hockey operations for the Rampage. Billington is in his 13th year with the Avalanche's front office and just wrapped up his second as Assistant General Manager. He started as the club's goaltending consultant before being named Director of Player Development and most recently served as the Vice President of Player Development/Minor League Operations. A former netminder, Billington enjoyed a 15-year playing career in the NHL, compiling a 110-149-31 record in 332 appearances. He spent three years with the Avalanche from 1996-97 to 1998-99, where he still ranks fourth in franchise history in career goals-against average (2.61) and fifth in save percentage (.910).

Dean Chynoweth [pronounced shin-OWTH], 46, will serve as the head coach of the Rampage, making him the 10th head coach in franchise history. He is in his third season as the head coach of the Lake Erie Monsters and spent the previous three seasons (2009-12) as an assistant for the NHL's New York Islanders. Prior to his stint with the Islanders, he served as a head coach in the Western Hockey League for nine seasons, five with the Swift Current Broncos (2004-09) and four with the Seattle Thunderbirds (2000-04).

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