Storm, Wings continue partnership
Published on September 21, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Toledo Walleye News Release
(Toledo, Ohio) The Toledo Storm of the ECHL and the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League announced that the two organizations have extended their affiliation agreement through the 2005-06 season. Under terms of the agreement, Detroit will continue to assign contracted players to the Storm.
Mike Miller, the Storm's Vice President and General Manager, discussed the accord; "We are truly excited about our continuing relationship with the Detroit Red Wings. Not only have the Red Wings shown a commitment to win at the NHL echelon, but they have also sustained a commitment to developing talent at our level. It is ironic that this week marked the return of the man who brought hockey back to Toledo, and Barry Soskin was also very influential in starting this relationship with Detroit fifteen years ago. Here in Toledo we have seen Detroit professionals Darryl Bootland, Nathan Robinson, Paul Ballantyne, Joey MacDonald, and Matt Ellis."
Detroit's Assistant General Manager Jim Nill expressed his thoughts, " We are pleased to extend our relationship with the Toledo Storm. This has been a great relationship for both parties in the past, and one that will continue to work in the future. Toledo is a terrific hockey city as evident by it's great fan support, and rich hockey history."
Storm Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel Nick Vitucci echoed Miller 's statement, "Detroit is a first-class organization who I have enjoyed working with. We look forward to having the opportunity to develop more of the Red Wing's young talent over the course of this coming year."
The 2005-06 season will be the fifteenth season for the Toledo Storm, and this will mark the fourteenth with the Red Wings as an affiliate. The lone year Toledo was not affiliated with Detroit was 1999-00, when Toledo was partnered with Tampa Bay. Toledo also signed on with the San Jose Sharks on August 31st. The 2005-06 season will be the third season in Storm history in which Toledo will have dual affiliations. The two prior seasons were 2002-03 and 2003-04 when the Storm was affiliated with both the Detroit Red Wings and the Nashville Predators. Toledo had a combined record of 70-53-21 over those two seasons.
Season Tickets are on sale for the 2005-06 season. Contact the Storm office
at 419-691-0200 or visit www.toledostorm.com 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.
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