MAVS ANNOUNCE AFFILIATION WITH AHL CHICAGO

September 17, 2011

MAVERICKS ANNOUNCE AFFILIATION WITH AHL’S CHICAGO WOLVES
Missouri to affiliate with Vancouver Canucks primary affiliate

INDEPENDENCE, Missouri – Missouri Mavericks’ President and General Manager Brent Thiessen announced at the team’s Fan Fest Saturday the Mavericks have signed an affiliation agreement with the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Chicago Wolves for the 2011-12 season. The Wolves are the primary affiliate of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Vancouver Canucks.

For the first time in the Mavericks’ three-year history the team has agreed to an affiliation with an AHL team. The American Hockey League is the main developmental league of the National Hockey League, and Missouri will be the primary AA affiliate for Chicago.

“We are very excited to announce our affiliation with Chicago,” said Thiessen. “The Wolves have been a very successful franchise and has won several championships. We believe this affiliation will help make our product even stronger, and we are excited for our players, our fans and our franchise.”

The affiliation agreement allows for Mavericks players to compete in the Chicago Wolves training camp, and it also allows for a limited number of players to be signed to two-way contracts between the Mavericks and the Wolves. Mavericks’ Head Coach Scott Hillman will attend the Wolves training camp in Chicago along with select Mavericks players.

“This is very exciting for our young franchise,” said Hillman. “It is a huge honor for the Mavericks to be entrusted by the Wolves to help develop their young talent. I look forward to learning from Craig MacTavish and gaining insight from someone who has coached for a number of years at the highest level.”

The agreement paves the way for Chicago to loan players to the Mavericks should the opportunity arise as well as allow Mavericks players to move up to the AHL based on the needs of the Wolves.

“The Missouri Mavericks are a very professional and well-run organization,” said Wolves General Manager Wendell Young. “Their organization shares our perspective when it comes to running a hockey team and we are proud to partner with such a successful franchise. I think this will be a great relationship.”

The Chicago Wolves began operations in 1994 in the International Hockey League (IHL) and joined the AHL in 2001. Chicago has never had a losing season in their 17 seasons and the team has won four league championships with two in the IHL and two in the AHL. Most recently, Chicago was awarded the AHL’s Calder Cup in 2008. The Wolves are coached by Craig MacTavish, a 19-year veteran in the NHL and four-time winner of the Stanley Cup. He most recently served as the Edmonton Oilers head coach from 2000 to 2009.

The Missouri Mavericks will begin their third season in the Central Hockey League in October. The Mavericks play their home games at the state-of-the-art Independence Events Center where parking is always free. Individual game tickets will go on sale on September 17, and season tickets are on sale now starting at just $11 per game. Call (816) 252-7825 for more information.