The Elmira Jackals announced today that they have entered into an affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils. The Devils join the Ottawa Senators as Jackals affiliates for the 2013-14 season.
“We are extremely happy to partner with the New Jersey Devils and Albany Devils as affiliates. The entire Devils organization has a first-class reputation for success on and off the ice, and we will work extremely hard to give their prospects the proper environment to develop and advance their careers,” said Jackals owner and president Nate Cook.
The 2013-14 season will be the first for the Jackals and Devils as affiliates. Elmira did, however, receive goaltender Maxime Clermont on reassignment from New Jersey during the 2012-13 season. New Jersey has won the Stanley Cup in 1995, 2000, and 2003, and also advanced to the Stanley Cup finals in 2001 and 2012. The Devils have reached the playoffs in 21 of 25 years since moving to New Jersey from Denver, Colorado in 1982.
The Albany Devils were founded in 2010 after the Albany River Rats relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the second time Albany has housed the Devils’ AHL affiliate after the River Rats served in that capacity from 1993 to 2006.
“The Devils organization is excited to enter into a formal affiliation with the Elmira Jackals and congratulate their new ownership group led by Tom Freeman and Nate Cook,” said New Jersey Devils Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations and Albany General Manager Chris Lamoriello. “I look forward to again working with Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Dwight Mullins. I know under his leadership, the Jackals not only will be competing for a championship, but also developing players for future success in the game.”
The Jackals will open the 2013-14 season with four players from the Devils organization on their roster. Clermont has been reassigned to Elmira from Albany by New Jersey. He will look to improve on his 20 win season from 12-13. Defenseman Harry Young has also been reassigned to Elmira from Albany by New Jersey. The 6-4, 225 pound blue liner is in his fourth year as a pro. He has produced three goals, nine assists, a +8 rating, and 134 penalty minutes in 72 ECHL games combined between Kalamazoo and Trenton.
Additionally, defenseman Raman Hrabarenka (ROW-man, RAH-ba-ren-ka) and forward Riley Boychuk have been loaned to the Jackals by the Albany Devils. Hrabarenka, a native of Mogilev, Belarus, is a 6-3, 215 pound rearguard who notched five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in 34 games with Albany last year. Boychuck is a 6-4, 220 pound winger who is in his third year as a pro. Originally a seventh-round pick (#208 overall) by Buffalo in 2010, he has 9 goals, 15 assists, 81 penalty minutes in 87 pro games divided between the AHL, ECHL, and Central Hockey League.
Mark your calendars! The Jackals open their home schedule for their seventh season of ECHL hockey on Friday, October 25 against the Reading Royals at 7:05 p.m. Don’t miss a minute of the action with Jackals season tickets. They offer the best discount off of the box office price and come with great benefits like merchandise discounts, exclusive meet-and-greets with the team, ticket exchange, and more. Call 607-734-7825 to order your season tickets today. They start as low as $10 per game!
