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From: Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)

AEROS SEEING STARS IN 2004-05

Houston will be secondary affiliate for Dallas

Houston, TX – The American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros will serve as a secondary developmental affiliate for the National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars, the teams announced Tuesday. Houston will enter its fourth season as the primary developmental affiliate of the Minnesota Wild. The Stars, who are coached by former Aeros player and bench boss Dave Tippett, are expected to place between three and six players with the Aeros in 2004-05.

“We are excited about the opportunity to give Houston Aeros fans even more of what they have asked for - the chance to see NHL prospects become NHL players,” said Tom Lynn, Minnesota Wild assistant general manager/Houston Aeros general manager. “The Aeros will be playing next season with some of the top prospects from the Dallas Stars, in addition to the fine players from the Minnesota Wild that have provided great regular season and playoff performances for our fans for the last three seasons.”

“Aeros fans will be able to see the Stars prospects develop and then play in the NHL just a short drive away.”

"The Dallas Stars are excited about this new affiliation with the Houston Aeros," said Doug Armstrong, Dallas Stars general manager. "It will give their fans a chance to see some of our best prospects play and develop and one day make it to the NHL just a few hours away with the Dallas Stars."

Dallas is in its seventh post-season in the last eight years and currently trails the Colorado Avalanche two games to one in a Western Conference Quarterfinal after a 4-3 overtime win last night. The Stars won the Stanley Cup in 1999, and advanced to the Finals the next season before falling to New Jersey.

In addition to Tippett, several other Stars have connections with Houston. Winger David Oliver won a Turner Cup on Tippett’s 1999 Aeros team and assistant coach Mark Lamb finished his pro career in 2000 with Houston. Also, Stars assistant equipment manager Steve Sumner used to be with the Aeros.

The Aeros play host to Cincinnati in the best-of-three West Division Qualifying Round, beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. at Toyota Center. Game B is Saturday at 7 p.m., while Game C, if necessary, will be played Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets for Games A and B are on sale now at the Toyota Center Box Office (Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.), online at www.aeros.com by calling 1.866.GO.AEROS or at select Randall’s locations.

Qualifying Round individual tickets range from $14 to $58, and full playoff strips start at just $238.

For a limited time, order our Playoff Voucher Pack (four tickets to one Qualifying Round game) through www.aeros.com/themenights and get a $25 gift certificate to Churasscos. Username is Calder, password is Cup. Also, Thursday will be an Aeros Playoff Happy Hour. Get one center ice ticket and $10 in Toyota Center bucks for only $35. Username is Happy, password is Aeros. Also, Sunday (if necessary) is an Aeros Family Day. Get four tickets, four pucks, $20 in Toyota Center bucks and one parking pass starting at only $71. (Username family, password Aeros). Call 713.974.PUCK for more information.