Taylor Vause (Credit: Loren Orr/Idaho Steelheads) |
The announcement was completely expected, but it was just a matter of time. The Steelheads have a proven track record of success, having never missed the playoffs in their entire history as an ECHL club.
"We are extremely pleased to renew our affiliation with the Steelheads," said Dallas Stars Director of Hockey Operations and Texas Stars General Manager Scott White. "Idaho has proven to be a strong stepping stone for young talent, which is no doubt a product of the club's success and the winning culture it has instituted."
Here's the release:
The Dallas Stars announced today that the club will renew its affiliation with the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads for the 2014-15 season.
The Steelheads have served as Dallas' ECHL affiliate since the 2005-06 season and during the 2003-04 campaign. Idaho has reached the Kelly Cup Finals three times as an affiliate of the Dallas Stars, winning the Kelly Cup twice (2004 and 2007). The Steelheads finished the 2013-14 regular season with a record of 39-26-3-4, earning a trip to the postseason where the team advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals.
The Texas Stars will continue to operate as Dallas' top development affiliate in the American Hockey League.
Why wouldn't this be a longer affiliation deal, i.e. 3 years+?
ReplyDeleteMaybe Idaho entertaining a scenario such as this one where they become someone's AHL affiliate and move up from ECHL?:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/8/7/5976075/ahl-west-echl-chl-realignment-minor-league-hockey
Or maybe just Dallas not wanting to commit in case something else opens up that is closer?
I seem to remember that there's also been some speculation in the past year or two about the Allen Americans moving to the ECHL, so it might well be a combination of both of those factors.
DeleteOOooooo!!!! Wouldn't it be fabulous if Idaho became the AHL affiliate of someone like Vancouver or Calgary, or even a new Seattle NHL team???
ReplyDelete