Brace yourself SinBinners, what we’ve been reporting since January is now official and it’s time for the local and national media types to report it like it’s breaking news. The Golden Knights will have the Chicago Wolves as their AHL affiliate for the 2017-18 season.
American Hockey League affiliates play a significant role in the success of all NHL clubs and are we are proud to have the Chicago Wolves as our first in team history. I would like to thank Don Levin, Wendell Young and the rest of the Wolves organization for their commitment to the game and helping young hockey players grow to reach their full potential as professionals. Chicago is without question one of the strongest, most passionate hockey communities in North America. This is a relationship that we truly believe will be mutually beneficial. -George McPhee in Press Release
McPhee has said he expects between six and eight players under Golden Knights control to be playing at the AHL level at any given point. Chicago’s central location in the country and two airports allow the team to quickly and easily get players from the AHL to the NHL, the primary concern for the Golden Knights next season.
In a conference call with season ticket holders in March McPhee detailed the type of relationship Vegas will have with the Wolves.
The deal that we are going to do is going to be an exclusive deal, we are the primary affiliate, and we are going to go into a market that has a good hockey history and the team has done well. We will supply our players, we may get some players from another club but the way that the deal would be structured is the affiliation is between us and the minor league club and we will decide what players come from the other clubs, if any. We have full authority in all hockey matters and we will have final say on what decisions that are made. -McPhee
There are no details on the exact length of the contract, other than being described as “multi-year,” but rest assured, Vegas is in the market to move their affiliate closer to home as soon as possible.
James
@Ken Boehlke
‘There are no details on the exact length of the contract, other than being described as “multi-year,” but rest assured, Vegas is in the market to move their affiliate closer to home as soon as possible.’
The Wolves’ deal with the Golden Knights is for five years, according to sources.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170516/BLOGS04/170519888/chicago-wolves-sign-5-year-affiliate-deal-with-vegas-golden-knights
todd little
good move by Vegas. The Chicago Wolves have been a class organization for a long time. Will be interesting to see if there are more Golden Knights prospects or Blues prospects in the Wolves lineup next season since St. Louis will still supply players.
Phisig150
I’m confused are we still sharing the AHL team with St. Louis or not? If we are for how long and is there any precedent for this? I’m worried our players won’t get the attention they would normally.
Ken Boehlke
We are not. I’ve got an FAQ style article coming for tomorrow.
Phisig150
That’s great news I don’t like sharing. Wait did you double check with Vegas knights of the roundtable first?