Winnipeg Jets join hands in affiliate with ECHL's Colorado Eagles club -NHL news Update
In the process of completing all goals set before their first official National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, the newly relocated Winnipeg Jets announced their Eastern Conference Hockey League (ECHL) affiliation with Colorado Eagles club on Thursday,
September 8, 2011.
In an affiliation triangle, the partnerships between the American Hockey League’s (AHL) St. John’s IceCaps, who are also a Jets partner, have announced that they too have recognised the association with Colorado’s minor league team.
Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations/Assistant General Manager of Winnipeg Jets, Craig Heisinger, made the announcement from the major league teams’ side.
"We are excited to add the Colorado Eagles as an affiliate for the upcoming season," said Heisinger. "Player development is one of the most important elements for long term success for an organization and we know Colorado will provide a great opportunity
for some of our young players to gain valuable experience and new skills".
The agreement was reached after multiple meetings and thorough discussion in between the three franchises. Players who will join any three of the leagues belonging to any of the affiliates will be given priority and assigned to the respective team.
It was crucial that Winnipeg’s new team finalise a deal with an ECHL team since it is the second league to the AHL which is recognised by the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, which is overseen by the NHL Players’ Association.
Players which are picked up for an entry-level contract must belong to any two of the leagues in order for the signing to be valid.
Colorado Eagles president & general manager, Chris Stewart, was also very thrilled at making the deal official through his announcement.
"We're very excited about this affiliation and about being a part of the development of outstanding young players who are on their way to the highest level of our sport", said Stewart.
Being mutually beneficial for all stakeholders involved, business is expected to boom as talent searching and hunting will not only get easier for the franchises, but also be of such that there would be no chances for second thoughts or doubts.
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