The Hershey Bears announced today that the club and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche have mutually agreed to cease their affiliation agreement following the conclusion of the 2004-05 season. The announcement was made today by Bears President/GM Doug Yingst.
The Avalanche and Bears have been linked together for the last nine seasons. Colorado has assigned players to Hershey since a partnership was created in time for the 1996-97 season. The affiliation proved to be successful for both clubs, with Hershey winning the 1997 Calder Cup championship in the AHL, and the Avalanche claiming a Stanley Cup championship in 2001.
“We have enjoyed the partnership with the Colorado Avalanche over the last nine seasons”, said Yingst. “We wish the Avalanche all the best in their future endeavors.”
The Bears play at Binghamton Friday night before returning home to face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. Tickets for Sunday’s game and all Bears home games are available at the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911.
