GLENS FALLS, NY – The Adirondack Thunder have announced a one-year affiliation agreement with the New Jersey Devils and Binghamton Devils to become the Thunder’s NHL and AHL affiliates for the 2017-18 season.
The Devils will be the Thunder’s second NHL affiliate, following the Calgary Flames, which owned and operated the team from 2015-2017. The Thunder had an “informal working agreement” with the New Jersey Devils and Albany Devils over the past two seasons, which saw several players play for both the Thunder and the Devils over that span.
“We’re proud to announce the New Jersey Devils as our NHL affiliate as we take the next big stride towards the 2017-18 season,” Adirondack Thunder Governor Ed Moore said. “We have already reaped the benefits of partnering with New Jersey in the past, with players such as Ken Appleby playing in Glens Falls before moving on to higher levels. We’re excited to grow that partnership on an affiliated basis and we look forward to working with Ray Shero, Tom Fitzgerald and the rest of the Devils organization moving forward.”
Appleby became the first Thunder player with multiple games played with Adirondack to dress for an NHL game, as he served as the backup goaltender for the Devils on March 10, 2017 against the Colorado Avalanche. Goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who appeared in one game with the Thunder in 2015, became the first Thunder alum to reach the NHL as he made his debut with New Jersey on March 20, 2016 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“On behalf of the New Jersey Devils, I am pleased to announce that we have entered into a partnership with the Adirondack Thunder to become our ECHL affiliate,” New Jersey Devils Assistant General Manager Tom Fitzgerald said. “We strongly believe in developing our players on and off the ice. Adirondack will serve as a great first step from here to Binghamton and eventually from Binghamton to New Jersey. I am confident that Adirondack’s staff and community will help our players take the next step in their hockey careers and we look forward to working with them.”
The partnership between New Jersey and Adirondack has seen five players from the New Jersey system spend time in Glens Falls over the past two seasons, including Appleby and forward Brandon Baddock last season. The agreement has also seen seven Thunder contracted players sign try out deals with the Albany Devils over the past two seasons, giving Thunder players the opportunity to play at the AHL level.
