Springfield Falcons announce affiliation with Arizona

Date: 4/17/2015

SPRINGFIELD – With its team full of Columbus Blue Jacket prospects still battling for a playoff spot, the Springfield Falcons annnounced the signing of a new three-year affiliation agreement with Arizona that will commence with the 2015-16 season.

Director of Hockey Operations Bruce Landon added the Falcons had written confirmation from the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, which operates the MassMutual Center, that the team's lease would be extended.

The need for a new affiliate came to pass when Columbus and Springfield came to the mutual agreement to part ways with a year remaining on their affiliation agreement so the Blue Jackets could move their developmental players to Lake Erie in Cleveland.

Arizona is about to wrap up the final year of its current affiliation agreement with the Portland Pirates.

Falcons President Sarah Pompea said the two sides will part on good terms after a positive five-year relationship.

"[Columbus] admitted they were maybe making the decision for the wrong reasons; they love Springfield," Landon added, explaining the desire to have players closer and to "brand Ohio" were among the driving forces.

The announcement was made prior to the end of the season in order to be in concert with other affiliation changes league-wide linked with this deal.

Pompea said she and her father, team owner Charlie Pompea, remain "committed" to professional hockey in the City of Homes.

Landon also pointed out that four teams in the Northeast with better attendance than Springfield would be moving west as part of a league-wide shake-up resulting from West Coast NHL teams' desires to have their affiliates in closer proximity.

More on this story to come.