SteelHounds and Blue Jackets Renew Affiliation for 2007-2008

October 3, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - Youngstown SteelHounds General Manager Joe Gregory, in conjunction with Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson, announced today that an agreement has been reached to keep the SteelHounds as the primary Central Hockey League affiliate of the Blue Jackets and the Syracuse Crunch (the Blue Jackets American Hockey League affiliate) for the 2007-2008 season.

"We are very pleased to continue our relationship with the Blue Jackets," said Gregory. "We feel that last season was a very productive first year and that our affiliation will continue to further our commitment to bring a great hockey to the Mahoning Valley."

The SteelHounds will once again serve as the Blue Jackets CHL affiliate and will have the opportunity to have Columbus and Syracuse contracted players assigned to Youngstown. The first year of affiliation proved to be a great success for the SteelHounds on the ice as forward Shaun Landolt and goaltender Brad Roberts both participated in Syracuse at Crunch training camp before being named to the SteelHounds opening day roster. The end of the 2006-2007 also paid dividends for the Hounds as forward Rob Sirianni and defenseman Stephen Margeson were called up to Syracuse at the conclusion of the Hounds playoff run.

"Having that relationship and support from an NHL organization is invaluable," said Youngstown Head Coach Kevin Kaminski. "The ability of having an extended relationship with a club like the Blue Jackets helps our efforts to recruit and field one of the most competitive teams in the CHL."

The Columbus Blue Jackets joined the NHL in 2000 and are very pleased to continue it's affiliation with their intrastate neighbor to the east. "The Youngstown SteelHounds have done an outstanding job of promoting hockey in the Mahoning Valley and throughout Northeastern Ohio and we are very pleased to continue our affiliation," said Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson.

The Syracuse Crunch will serve as the Hounds AHL affiliate and have been with the Blue Jackets since Columbus' inaugural season in the NHL. The Crunch have a long history in the AHL starting their 14th season and developing top players for Columbus in the past including Parma, Ohio's Dan Fritsche.

The 2006-2007 season saw the SteelHounds finish the regular season with a record 34-20-10 (78 points) as they made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The Youngstown SteelHounds will begin year three of exciting Central Hockey League action at the Chevrolet Centre this fall.

The Hounds will host the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones in an exhibition match-up on Friday, October 12th at 7:05pm with tickets on sale now for just $5. The Hounds regular season home opener is scheduled for Friday, November 23rd when they host the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at 7:05pm. SteelHounds season tickets are on sale now for as little as $42 per month and group packages are available for any home game during the season. Call the Hounds ticket department today at (330) 747-PUCK for more information.



Central Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2007


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