AHL Syracuse Crunch

Syracuse Crunch Announce Multi-Year Affiliation with Tampa Bay Lightning

Published on June 14, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Syracuse, NY (June 14, 2012) -- The Syracuse Crunch announced today they have entered into a multi-year affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning beginning in the 2012-13 season.

"We are delighted to be partnering with a first class organization run by an outstanding management team in Steve Yzerman and Julien BriseBois," said Crunch Owner Howard Dolgon.

"We are excited about our new partnership with the Syracuse Crunch and we look forward to working with Howard Dolgon and his organization on putting together a winning development program," said Julien BriseBois, Assistant General Manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning."

The Syracuse Crunch is entering into its 19th year of operation in the American Hockey League and boast the longest, current independent ownership group, led by Howard Dolgon. The Crunch has the sixth longest tenure of any AHL team. The Lightning will be the fourth primary NHL affiliate of the Crunch, who previously partnered with Vancouver (1994-1999), Columbus (2000-2009) and Anaheim (2010-2012). Syracuse had a dual affiliation with Vancouver and Pittsburgh from 1997-1999.

The Lightning joined the National Hockey League as an expansion franchise in 1992 and 12 years later, in 2004, were crowned Stanley Cup Champions. In addition to their Stanley Cup the Lightning have made five post-season appearances (1996, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2011).

Beginning with the 2010-11, season the Lightning and their AHL affiliate have been run by General Manager Steve Yzerman and Assistant General Manager Julien BriseBois.

Yzerman was named general manager of the Lightning during the summer of 2010 after spending 27 years in the Detroit Red Wings organization both as a player and an executive. The Hall-of-Fame center won three Stanley Cups as a player (1997, 1998 and 2002) and one as a member of the Red Wings management team (2008). In his first year as general manger, Yzerman led the Lightning to the Eastern Conference Finals and was named a finalist for 2010 NHL Executive of the Year.

BriseBois, was named Tampa's Assistant General Manager in July of 2010, after spending three years as the general manager of Montreal's AHL affiliate the Hamilton Bulldogs. During his tenure the Bulldogs went 137-78-25. The Bulldogs made the Calder Cup Playoffs in 2008-09 and 2009-10 under BriseBois' leadership.

In his capacity of general manger in the American Hockey League BriseBois, has been responsible for the hiring of two AHL Coach of the Years, Guy Boucher of the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2009-10 and Jon Cooper of the Norfolk Admirals in 2011-12.

Under the leadership of Yzerman and BriseBois, Tampa's AHL affiliate has a regular season record of 94-44-10-8 and has made the Calder Cup Playoffs each year.

Tampa's 2011-12 AHL affiliate squad won the Calder Cup Championship after concluding the regular season with a professional hockey record of 28 consecutive wins. They finished the regular season with an AHL best 55-18-1-2 record. Led by AHL Coach of the Year, Cooper, the 2011-12 roster included the AHL's 2011-12 MVP and Rookie of the Year Cory Conacher as well as AHL Defenseman of the Year Mark Barberio.

Numerous former Crunch players have taken the ice for the Tampa Bay Lightning including: Adrian Aucoin, Mathieu Darche, Zenon Konopka, and Trevor Smith.

The Syracuse Crunch's 2012-13 home opener will be held on October 13 at the War Memorial Arena.

Tickets for the Crunch's 2012-13 campaign are on sale now and can be purchased either in person at the Crunch Box Office located at the War Memorial on 800 South State Street in Syracuse, or by calling the office at (315) 473- 4444. For all the latest Crunch information and updates, fans can visit the team's official website at (www.syracusecrunch.com) or follow the club on Facebook at (www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch) and on Twitter (@syracusecrunch).

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