We have some affiliation news to report, as the South Carolina Stingrays and the Tulsa Oilers both announced three-year affiliation extensions with NHL and AHL teams.
In Charleston, the Stingrays announced the renewal of their affiliation agreement with the NHL’s Washington Capitals with a three-year contract extension.
“We are excited to extend our agreement with the South Carolina Stingrays organization,” said Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan. “We look forward to continuing our affiliation with a first-class and successful organization in which our prospects can develop.”
The 2020-21 season will mark the seventh consecutive year that the Stingrays and Capitals have been affiliated. The Stingrays were also affiliated with Washington from 2004 through 2012. South Carolina has qualified for the postseason in 13 of the 14 seasons the teams have been affiliated and won the Kelly Cup in 2009 as well as conference championships in 2015 and 2017.
“The Washington Capitals are a first-class organization,” said Stingrays president Rob Concannon. “They have been a great partner with us for a long time. We look forward to continuing to help some of their young prospects develop.”
The agreement also keeps the Hershey Bears as South Carolina’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.
In Tulsa, the Oilers agreed to a three-year affiliation agreement with the Anaheim Ducks (NHL) and the San Diego Gulls (AHL).
“The Anaheim Ducks have always valued a strong working relationship with their ECHL affiliate,” said Ducks Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations David McNab. “We are thrilled about our multi-year agreement with a quality organization such as the Tulsa Oilers. The Ducks organization is committed to player development and this relationship with Tulsa will only further that commitment.”
The Ducks, Gulls and Oilers have had a working agreement over the last two seasons, advancing their relationship to a primary affiliation for the next three seasons. Last season the Oilers saw multiple Ducks’ contracted players dress for the team, including Deven Sideroff, Olle Eriksson Ek, Hunter Drew and Jack Kopacka.
“We had a great working relationship with the Ducks and Gulls the last couple of years, and we’re very excited to continue our partnership for the next three years,” said Oilers General Manager and former San Diego Gull Taylor Hall. “The Ducks are truly committed to player development, and I feel this is a great fit for all three organizations.”
