obie7661
12-18-2006, 05:50 AM
Associated Press
DENVER - The Colorado Avalanche said Sunday they have signed a long-term affiliation agreement with Cleveland's new American Hockey League team, making it the Avalanche's primary affiliate.
The new Cleveland franchise, which will begin play in the 2007-2008 season, is owned by a group led by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. The franchise had been operated as the Utah Grizzlies before Gilbert's group bought the rights to it.
The Grizzlies moved to Utah from Denver in 1995 after COMSAT Video Enterprises bought the Quebec Nordiques and moved them to Colorado, where they became the Avalanche, now owned by Kroenke Sports Enterprises.
The Grizzlies won the International Hockey League championship that year.
Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere said the club has always wanted to have an independent farm team where it could develop its prospects.
"We'll have most of our prospects on the same team, which should help their development as well as their understanding of our culture and philosophy," he said.
The Avalanche have an affiliation agreement with the Albany, N.Y. AHL team this season. Previously it has had agreements with AHL teams in Hershey, Penn. and Lowell, Mass.
DENVER - The Colorado Avalanche said Sunday they have signed a long-term affiliation agreement with Cleveland's new American Hockey League team, making it the Avalanche's primary affiliate.
The new Cleveland franchise, which will begin play in the 2007-2008 season, is owned by a group led by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. The franchise had been operated as the Utah Grizzlies before Gilbert's group bought the rights to it.
The Grizzlies moved to Utah from Denver in 1995 after COMSAT Video Enterprises bought the Quebec Nordiques and moved them to Colorado, where they became the Avalanche, now owned by Kroenke Sports Enterprises.
The Grizzlies won the International Hockey League championship that year.
Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere said the club has always wanted to have an independent farm team where it could develop its prospects.
"We'll have most of our prospects on the same team, which should help their development as well as their understanding of our culture and philosophy," he said.
The Avalanche have an affiliation agreement with the Albany, N.Y. AHL team this season. Previously it has had agreements with AHL teams in Hershey, Penn. and Lowell, Mass.