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Vegas Golden Knights Name Chicago Wolves AHL Affiliate

By Richard Cardinale

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 22: Chicago Wolves LW Andrew Agozzino (9), Chicago Wolves C Tage Thompson (32) and Chicago Wolves LW Brett Sterling (29) celebrate after Sterling scored a goal during the first period of the AHL hockey game between the Chicago Wolves and and Cleveland Monsters on March 22, 2017, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Chicago 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 22: Chicago Wolves LW Andrew Agozzino (9), Chicago Wolves C Tage Thompson (32) and Chicago Wolves LW Brett Sterling (29) celebrate after Sterling scored a goal during the first period of the AHL hockey game between the Chicago Wolves and and Cleveland Monsters on March 22, 2017, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Chicago 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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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:

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.

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