The Buffalo Sabres announced on Friday that the organization has signed a one-year NHL/AHL affiliation agreement with the Rochester Americans.
"Our organization is very happy to once again have the Rochester Americans affiliated with the Buffalo Sabres," said Daniel DiPofi, chief operating officer of the Sabres. "Over the past few seasons, the Amerks organization and the City of Rochester have been a key to the success of our franchise both on the ice and in the Western New York community.”
Buffalo and Rochester will enter their 29th year as affiliated partners during the upcoming 2007-08 season. This affiliation is currently the longest working relationship in professional hockey between an NHL club and its AHL affiliate. Over the last eight seasons, the Rochester Americans have been the most successful AHL team in terms of number of points earned.
The affiliation agreement calls for the Buffalo Sabres to provide the Amerks organization with a minimum of 10 prospects and the entire coaching staff.
During their affiliation with the Sabres, the Amerks have compiled a record of 1,111-886-232-9 in 2,238 regular season games. Over that period, the team has captured nine regular-season division titles, nine Calder Cup Finals appearances and three championships (1983, 1987, 1996).
In 2006-07, Rochester finished the year with 98 points (48-30-1-1), good for second place in the North Division, while most of the members of the President’s Trophy-winning Sabres were Amerks alumni.
