SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Crunch and the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Tampa Bay Lightning have announced a six-year extension of their affiliation agreement.
The extension means Tampa Bay’s top prospects will develop their talents in Syracuse through the 2021-22 season, the teams said in a news release the Crunch issued Thursday.
Syracuse is part of the American Hockey League (AHL), which is the top tier of professional hockey’s minor-league system.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have “clearly” established themselves as one of the “premier” franchises in the National Hockey League,” Howard Dolgon, owner of the Syracuse Crunch, contended in the joint news release.
Dolgon points to the ownership of Jeff Vinik; the hockey leadership of Lightning general manager (GM) Steve Yzerman and Crunch GM Julien BriseBois; and the “tremendous” business staff that Lightning CEO Steve Griggs leads in making his comment.
Since the start of the affiliation in 2012, 36 players have appeared in games for both the Crunch and the Bolts, another way the Tampa Bay franchise refers to itself. The Tampa Bay logo includes a lightning bolt.
The Lightning’s 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs roster includes 14 former Crunch players, according to the release.
“We are pleased to be extending our affiliation with the Syracuse Crunch,” Steve Yzerman, VP and general manager of the Lightning, said. “The Crunch and Howard Dolgon, along with the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County, have been, and continue to be, an excellent place to develop our prospects. We look forward to what will hopefully be many successful years to come on and off the ice.”
The Syracuse Crunch will begin their 23rd year of operation in the 2016-17 season. The club boasts the “longest independent ownership group,” led by Dolgon, and has the sixth-longest tenure of any AHL team.
The Lightning are the fourth primary NHL affiliate of the Crunch, who previously partnered with Vancouver between 1994 and 2000; Columbus from 2000 to 2010; and Anaheim between 2010 and 2012. Syracuse had a dual affiliation with Vancouver and Pittsburgh from 1997 to 1999.
The Crunch have played their home games in the Onondaga County War Memorial Arena since their inaugural season in 1994-95.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
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