From: Ryan Stanzel, Vice President of Communications/Administration
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Wednesday, July 18, 2007

AEROS TO AFFILIATE WITH ECHL TEXAS AGAIN IN 2007-08

HOUSTON, Texas – The National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild and the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League have agreed with the Texas Wildcatters to be their ECHL affiliate, the teams announced Wednesday. This marks Houston’s second straight season with the Wildcatters, who play their home games at Ford Arena in Beaumont – less than 90 miles from downtown Houston.

“The Wildcatters had a great season last year and we were very happy with the progress of our players there,” said Tom Lynn, Minnesota’s Assistant General Manager for Hockey Operations and the Aeros’ General Manager. “We look forward to continuing and growing the relationship, and our commitment to hockey in the great state of Texas.”

Last season, the Aeros supplied the Wildcatters with a total of nine players, including ECHL All-Star defenseman Paul Albers, who is currently under contract with the Wild.

The Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that will celebrate its 20th Anniversary in 2007-08 with 25 teams playing in 17 states and British Columbia.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --