Lightning ink affiliate deal with Norfolk

From TSN:

The American Hockey League's Norfolk Admirals have announced a multi-year affiliation agreement with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Admirals will serve as the Lightning's primary minor league affiliate starting with the 2007-08 season.

The Lightning organization will provide the Admirals with the full roster of players, and current Springfield Falcons head coach Steve Stirling and assistant coach Darren Rumble remain under contract to the Lightning organization and will take over the coaching duties in Norfolk next season.

''I could not be happier to have the Admirals affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning,'' said Admirals president Ken Young. ''We are thrilled to be able to partner with such a successful and first-class organization for the next several years. Personally, I have watched the Lightning from their inception and through winning the Stanley Cup. I am confident that our fans in Hampton Roads will continue to see winning hockey at the highest level.''

''We are very excited by the opportunity to partner with such an outstanding organization as Norfolk and such a committed owner in Ken Young,'' Lightning executive vice president and general manager Jay Feaster said. ''Throughout our discussions and negotiations Ken's passion for and commitment to his team, the organization and the wonderful fans of the Admirals has been abundantly evident and we look forward to working with him for a very long time.''

Sphere: Related Content