SYRACUSE -- The Syracuse Crunch confirmed to CNYCentral that their new NHL parent club next season will be the Tampa Bay Lightning, ending a two year stint with the Anaheim Ducks.
The news comes just days after the Lightning’s AHL club from this passed season, The Norfolk Admirals, won the Calder Cup.
The move has been rumored in Central New York for months now, but the Crunch made it official on Thursday after a reporter from Norfolk leaked the news ahead of an officially scheduled announcement.
The new affiliation could be great news for Crunch fans.
Not only did the Admirals win the AHL’s Calder Cup, but their ECHL team was also league champions this passed season.
"It's young talent," says Crunch owner Howard Dolgon, "a lot of first year players, a few second year players, and the right veterans, and they've got a tremendous amount of draft picks coming in the next few drafts, so the future is very bright."
The Admirals have released a quote from Lightning VP and Admirals’ GM, Julien Brisebois.
"We have no problem with (Norfolk), with the arena, with ownership of the Admirals. I think it makes a huge difference in the wear and tear on the players. A good night’s sleep on a regular basis is important," says Brisebois.
"They like our statigical location as far as far as travel," says Dolgon, "we have an NHL state of the art training facility in the basement now, the County stepped up big time to make that happen. They're looking for a long term partner, we're looking for a long term partner, and today I think will go down as one of the great days in our franchise."
