The Vegas Golden Knights have finally named their primary minor league affiliate.
An AHL affiliate is vital to an NHL team’s success. The ability to bounce players up from the minor and the major leagues is a huge deal. Luckily for the Vegas Golden Knights, they can finally do that.
Today the Vegas Golden Knights entered into an AHL partnership agreement with the Chicago Wolves. The term on the contract between the two sides is a multi-year deal but Sinbin.Vegas is reporting that the number is five years. And not only will that be their primary minor league affiliate, but the Golden Knights will also own sole possession of the AHL franchise.
It’s been previously reported that the St. Louis Blues and Vegas Golden Knights would share the Chicago Wolves equally but that no longer appears to be the case. This is great news for the Golden Knights. This means not only they can build an NHL team but an AHL team through trades and free agency without anyone holding them back. There is no word on where the Blues will go for an AHL affiliate.
As if Vegas didn’t already have enough work, their work will be doubled in the offseason. The NHL squad still needs assistant coaches, medical staff, trainers and most importantly players. And the same could also be said of the Golden Knights new minor league team, the Wolves.
Here are a few quotes from Vegas Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee on the partnership:
"American Hockey League affiliates play a significant role in the success of all NHL clubs.” – George McPhee
— 🏆 - Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 16, 2017
“We are proud to have the Chicago Wolves as our first in team history."—McPhee
— 🏆 - Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 16, 2017
"I would like to thank Don Levin, Wendell Young and the rest of the Wolves organization for their commitment to the game."—McPhee
— 🏆 - Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 16, 2017
However, the St Louis Blues will associate themselves with the Chicago Wolves and Golden Knights. Let me explain: The Blues will be allowed to supply some players to the Wolves, but the Golden Knights will control the coaching staff and type of game they will play. The Golden Knights can’t fill their entire minor league roster on a nightly basis due to injuries and callups. So this is a smart move by owner Bil Foley and George McPhee.
Next: The Golden Knights Have Signed Their Second Player And He's Sensational In Russia.
It will be fun to see how this all plays out for all the parties involved. But one thing is for certain; the Golden Knights got their “B team.” Now the franchise must shift their focus on getting some coaches to help assist Vegas Head Coach Gerard Gallant.