The NHL's newest expansion team was awarded its AHL affiliate Monday. The American Hockey League announced its 32nd franchise will be located in located in Palm Springs, California and will serve as the primary development affiliate of the NHL's expansion Seattle franchise in the fall of 2021, at the same time the yet-to-be-named Seattle team begins play.
“On behalf of the AHL's Board of Governors, I am thrilled to welcome the NHL Seattle and OVG ownership teams and the city of Palm Springs as the league's 32nd franchise,” said AHL President and CEO David Andrews. “Palm Springs has all the makings of an outstanding hockey market, and will further strengthen the growing base of our sport in California.”
According to the news release from the league, nearly 90 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 100 members of the Hockey Hall of Fame spent time in the AHL in their careers.
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