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news

 

Bridgeport, Conn. - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers' NHL parent team, the New York Islanders, have signed an affiliation agreement with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL. The Grizzlies join primary affiliate Bridgeport (AHL) as the Islanders' development teams.

"Having a strong ECHL affiliate is imperative to building the Islanders future. We believe the Utah Grizzlies provide the necessary resources to develop our prospects," Sound Tigers president Howard Saffan said. "The Grizzlies are a first class organization that will provide the stepping stone towards the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup."

The agreement will allow for the organization to provide the Grizzlies with players, and the three teams will work together in the development of future NHL and AHL players. This will mark the second time that the Grizzlies have been affiliated with the Islanders. Utah qualified for the playoffs four times, won two IHL Turner Cup Championships and had an overall record of 196-107-24 for a .636 winning percentage from 1994-1998 during four seasons as an Islanders affiliate.

"Our organization experienced some great times as an Islanders affiliate," said Grizzlies CEO Kevin Bruder. "As we explored our options following this past season, it became quickly obvious that New York was the team we wanted to move forward with as we enter our third ECHL season."

The Grizzlies have been unaffiliated since joining the ECHL in 2005. Head coach, Jason Christie, was hired after five winning seasons behind the bench of the Peoria Rivermen, when the team was in the ECHL.

"I look forward to working with Grizzlies head coach, Jason Christie, integrating the New York Islanders systems and developing the future stars of the organization," Sound Tigers head coach, Jack Capuano said. "The E-Center is a state-of-the-art arena that our prospects will appreciate playing in."

The Premier "AA" Hockey League, the ECHL had affiliations with 25 of the 30 teams in the National Hockey League in 2006-07. There have been 329 former ECHL players who have gone on to play in the NHL, including Sound Tigers defenseman Drew Fata who played for the Wheeling Nailers from 2003-06 and made his NHL debut with the Islanders last season.