Toledo signs affiliation agreement with San Jose
Published on August 31, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Toledo Walleye News Release
(Toledo, Ohio) Vice President and General Manager Mike Miller announced today that the Toledo Storm of the ECHL, and the National Hockey League's San Jose Sharks have agreed to a one-year affiliation deal for the 2005-06 season.
"First, our NHL affiliation with Detroit has been successful in bringing high profile players to Toledo and I look forward to a fourteenth season with the Wings," Miller said. "Second, San Jose and Cleveland are first class organizations. I have had a long and friendly relationship with Sharks Vice President and Assistant General Manager Wayne Thomas (also the General Manager of the Cleveland Barons) from his days in Peoria (IHL). This accord should work out from a geographical standpoint with Cleveland's Gund Arena being within 100 miles of the Toledo Sports Arena. Also, having two NHL affiliates will help us put a quality product on the ice."
"We are pleased to welcome the Toledo Storm into the Sharks organization," said Wayne Thomas. "Being one of the most accomplished and successful franchises in the ECHL, we fully expect the Storm to strengthen our developmental system. Also, when the need arises, it is a perfect pipeline to filter prospects into Cleveland from a geographic standpoint."
The San Jose Sharks, whose American Hockey League affiliate is the Cleveland Barons, have been a member of the National Hockey League since 1991. The Sharks have made the Stanley Cup Playoffs eight times in their history (6 appearances in the last 7 NHL seasons), including a 2004 advance to the Western Conference Final before falling to Calgary in six games. San Jose has won two division championships (2002, 2004) and has been one of the NHL' s best teams (40 win seasons in 3 of the past 4 years). The Cleveland Barons have been in Cleveland since 2001. The Barons made the AHL playoffs in 2003-04, in which Cleveland defeated Toronto in the first round before falling to Hamilton in the second round.
Storm Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel Nick Vitucci talked about the agreement, "Our relationship with Detroit has been excellent, and signing on with San Jose allows us to work with two great franchises. The Sharks have a terrific winning history, and we have the proximity factor with Cleveland. Having two affiliates will help bring in more quality players to Toledo."
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. Toledo has been affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings for all but one season (1999-00, Tampa Bay).
Season Tickets are on sale for the 2005-06 season. Contact the Storm office at 419-691-0200 or visit www.toledostorm.com for more information. Toledo Hockey...A History Of Champions!
ECHL Stories from August 31, 2005
- Wranglers Re-Sign Cameron and Hambly - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Goal scoring winger joins Royals in 2005-06 - Reading Royals
- Roberts and Horvath join growing list of Salmon Kings - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Steelheads sign two defenseman - Idaho Steelheads
- Wildcatters now excepting media credentials - Texas Wildcatters
- Condors bring Massie on board for 2005- 06 - Bakersfield Condors
- Toledo signs affiliation agreement with San Jose - Toledo Walleye
- Wildcatters unveil lower-priced ticket packages - Texas Wildcatters
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