Wildcatters Announce NHL / AHL Affiliation
Published on September 1, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release
BEAUMONT, TX (September 1, 2004) â The Texas Wildcatters announced today they have signed an affiliation agreement with the Florida Panthers of the NHL and Florida's top farm club, the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League (AHL). The one-year agreement does not specify how many professional players will be sent to Texas.
"We are looking forward to a successful relationship with the Texas Wildcatters," Panthers General Manager Mike Keenan said. "Their club will be in charge of working with some of the Panthers talented young players. We are confident that Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Robert Dirk and his staff will do an excellent job developing our prospects and acclimating them to the world of professional hockey."
"Having players assigned to the Wildcatters with AHL and NHL aspirations is an added bonus to the team that is already assembled," said Wildcatters Head Coach Robert Dirk. "We have been able to sign players this off-season who want to advance to the AHL and NHL and this affiliation gives those players additional exposure to the Rampage and Panthers."
The Wildcatters are entering their second season in the ECHL, this is their first season with an AHL/NHL affiliation. Last season as an independent, four Texas players were called up to the AHL, including Lukas Smital, who played one game with the Rampage.
The Panthers have been affiliated with San Antonio for two years. In all, 15 players from the ECHL have taken the ice with the Florida Panthers. This off-season, the Panthers signed Wildcatters minority owner Jamie McLennan who has appeared in 228 games as an NHL goaltender.
The home opener is October 30th vs. the Louisiana IceGators. Partial, group and full-season ticket plans are now available for the 2004-2005 Texas Wildcatters season. For more information about the Wildcatters, log onto www.wildcattershockey.com or call (409) 951-5500.
ECHL Stories from September 1, 2004
- Wildcatters Announce NHL / AHL Affiliation - Texas Wildcatters
- Sea Wolves In The Community For September - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Skiehar Rejoins IceGators - Louisiana IceGators
- Coach White to Hold Hockey Clinic - Columbia Inferno
- Munn Signs On The Dotted (Blue) Line - Augusta Lynx
- Florida Signs Forward Lee for 2004-05 - Florida Everblades
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