The Adirondack Thunder announced on Thursday morning a multi-year extension to remain the ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. The 2021-22 season will be the fifth season that the two clubs have partnered. As per the official press release, Alex Los, the team’s Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations, said, “The New Jersey Devils have been an outstanding partner since the Thunder moved east. They have committed to help us win and we are excited to develop more of their players as we have in the past. We are thrilled to continue to work with them for the upcoming season and beyond.”
What Does This Mean For Both Sides
Throughout the course of their four-year relationship, five players have seen time with the Thunder before being promoted to the NHL level. Those players are MacKenzie Blackwood, Colton White, Ken Appleby, Josh Jacobs and Scott Wedgewood. It seems to be an ongoing trend that the Adirondack Thunder get at least one netminder in the Devils franchise per season. In 2019-20, it was Evan Cormier who was splitting time between the Binghamton Devils and Adirondack for most of the year. He also got recalled to New Jersey, but never saw any ice time. Colby Sissons was one of the other guys who spent in Binghamton in 2019-20.
The Devils also moved their AHL affiliate from from Binghamton to Utica, signing a 10-year deal. This makes it easier for New Jersey to be able to find prospects within the three levels without worry about travel. This makes emergency call-ups a lot easier. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was more movement of players next season between the Thunder and Utica.