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October 29, 2009

NEW – Chiefs announce partnership with NHL's Minnesota Wild

BY MIKE MASTOVICH The Tribune-Democrat Thu Oct 29, 2009, 09:07 PM EDT

In what might be one of the most important developments of their ECHL season, the Johnstown Chiefs ended their status as the 20-team’s lone member without an NHL or AHL affiliation.

The Chiefs and NHL’s Minnesota Wild joined forces on Thursday, announcing that the organizations have entered a working agreement. Johnstown will serve as Minnesota’s secondary minor league partner. The American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros are the Wild’s primary affiliate.

“This is a great opportunity for the Johnstown Chiefs,” Chiefs owner Neil Smith said. “The Minnesota organization is led by outstanding hockey men in owner Craig Leipold and General Manager Chuck Fletcher. They are a player development-minded club and the agreement will benefit all three teams including the Wild, the Aeros, and our Johnstown Chiefs.”

The Chiefs had been affiliated with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters the past two years. Last season the Chiefs also had an affiliation with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and their AHL affiliate in Syracuse.

Those agreements lapsed during a tumultuous offseason riddled with financial difficulties and uncertainties. Colorado teamed this season with Charlotte in the ECHL, and Columbus now works with the ECHL’s Gwinnett Gladiators.

Two years ago, the Chiefs also had an affiliation with the Boston Bruins and their AHL team in Providence, but that working arrangement ended prior to the 2008-09 season. In the Chiefs’ 22-year history they have also been NHL affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, and San Jose Sharks.

New York-based investor Steve Posner teamed with Smith recently to help boost the team’s financial situation, and Smith and minority owner Ned Nakles had taken steps to put the team on more solid footing in the past few months.

“We are excited to be working with the Wild organization. It will definitely benefit both sides as the Chiefs will help develop players to move up the ladder,” Chiefs first-year head coach Jeff Flanagan said. “The Minnesota organization has a solid foundation and we look forward to being a part of that. This partnership could also provide opportunities for our players in the future.”

The Wild began NHL play in 2000-01, replacing the former Minnesota North Stars team that had moved to Dallas. In 2007-08 the Wild won 44 games and made history with their first division championship. Minnesota’s previous ECHL affiliations were with the Texas Wildcatters, Louisiana Ice Gators, and Jackson (Miss.) Bandits, all teams that no longer play.

“The Johnstown Chiefs have a long and storied history in hockey, and the Wild and Aeros are pleased to partner with them for the 2009-2010 season,” said Jim Mill, the Wild’s assistant to the general manager who also serves as the Houston Aeros GM. “ Fans need to look no further than (Wild enforcer) Derek Boogaard, who began his career in the ECHL, to see how vital a secondary minor league partner can be.”

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