
RoadRunners Sign Affiliation With Phoenix Coyotes
August 8, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Phoenix RoadRunners of the ECHL have signed a one-year affiliation agreement with the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League and the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League for the 2006-07 season.
"We're very excited to reach this agreement with the Phoenix Coyotes," said RoadRunners President and former Coyotes forward Claude Lemieux. "They are an organization that has always shown a strong dedication to excellence, and we feel that their goals parallel ours. Plus, with the convenience of being located in the same city, Phoenix hockey fans will now enjoy the pleasure of seeing both the NHL stars of today and tomorrow."
The RoadRunners will work closely with both the Coyotes and the Rampage in player development.
"Today we've taken a very positive step in the right direction," said RoadRunners COO and General Manager Ray Delia. "The Phoenix Coyotes are committed to creating organizational depth, and the RoadRunners are pleased to be able to assist them in achieving that goal."
Delia continued, "This affiliation will put us in position to recruit the best free agent talent in North America and point our on-ice product in the right direction. We will benefit from having a few young Coyotes' prospects starting their careers here, which will certainly add depth to our roster, while our free agent players will get the chance to be seen by the Coyotes scouting staff on a consistent basis. I would like to thank (Coyotes General Manager) Mike Barnett and (Coyotes Senior Vice President & Assistant General Manager) Laurence Gilman for taking the time to discuss this partnership during the NHL free agency period, and for making this opportunity possible."
As part of the agreement, the RoadRunners will be afforded a select number of training camp spots that will allow players to compete on the Coyotes' rookie team at the September rookie tournament in Los Angeles and San Antonio's training camp in October, and should receive both AHL and NHL prospects over the course of the season.
"We look forward to working with the RoadRunners, and see benefits to both organizations from this new relationship," said Barnett.
The Phoenix Coyotes have been a member of the National Hockey League since 1979, originally as the Winnipeg Jets, and have resided in Phoenix since 1996. The San Antonio Rampage are going into their fifth season of existence and their second year as the primary AHL affiliate to the Coyotes.
In addition to signing an affiliation with the Coyotes, the RoadRunners have announced several organizational changes. Delia will add the role of General Manager to his current title and supervise all of the day-to-day business within the hockey operations department. Head Coach Ron Filion has been named Assistant General Manager and will work closely with Delia on all player personnel decisions. Radio Broadcaster Dan Weiss has been promoted to Director of Broadcasting and Team Services and will assist both Delia and Filion in matters pertaining to the team's hockey operations department.
"At the end of last season I realized that the responsibilities of serving as both general manager and head coach were very demanding, and I wanted more time to focus on my duties as a head coach in order to put forth a winning product," said Filion. "I went ahead and approached Ray regarding the possibility of joining forces because I felt his past experience and knowledge of the ECHL would make him a quality resource for our team. Today's announcement of the partnership with the Phoenix Coyotes is our first major victory."
The RoadRunners have also gained the services of Mike MacPherson, who will serve as the team's Canada-based scouting director.
"I have known Mike MacPherson for several years," said Delia. "You will not find a more diligent, committed, and hardworking individual. He played an integral role on my previous staff, and was invaluable in assisting with the recruiting of players who comprised two division championship teams. We, as an organization, have improved with the addition of Mike's expertise."
MacPherson previously spent two seasons working with Delia and three overall with the ECHL's Reading Royals where he played a critical role in helping the Royals capture the 2004 North Division title and the 2005 North Division regular season championship. Prior to his stint in Reading, MacPherson spent four seasons with the AHL's Norfolk Admirals and ECHL's Jackson Bandits in a similar capacity recruiting players from the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Canadian Junior Hockey, and Canadian Interuniversity Sport Hockey.
"The organizational changes are a direct response to entering into an affiliated system," said Delia. "I look forward to lending my experience within an affiliated system to the organization, and working closely with Ron, Brad (Church), Mike and Dan in creating a competitive hockey club."
Lemieux, Delia, and Filion are available for interviews and can be reached by contacting Dan Weiss at (602) 379-7870.
Opening Night 2006 at US Airways Center will be on Friday, October 20 when the RoadRunners welcome the Utah Grizzlies at 7:11PM for the first game of an opening weekend three-game series. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.
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- RoadRunners Sign Affiliation With Phoenix Coyotes - Phoenix RoadRunners
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