Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney spoke Thursday with news that the team has reached an agreement with an affiliate team for the upcoming 2015-16 season. The Gwinnett Gladiators of the East Coast Hockey League are the third team from the league to be affiliated with Boston. Previously, the South Carolina Stingrays and the Reading Royals were aligned with the NHL squad.
Tryouts from this year’s development camp may soon join the team in Gwinnett. As a result of Thursday’s agreement, players from the development system can join the Gladiators this coming year. Gwinnett’s head coach Andy Brandt is excited about the agreement, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2015/aug/06/gwinnett-gladiators-sign-on-as-new-echl-affiliate/
“From a working relationship, they care about our success and they are showing an interest in targeting high-profile players that could really help us out,” Brandt told the Gwinnett Daily Post. “To be able to align ourselves with such a historical and successful team, not to mention a member of the Original Six, is something we are very proud of and take very seriously.”
For the last four season, Gwinnett was affiliated with the Coyotes. Prior to Arizona, the Gladiators were affiliated with the once Atlanta Thrashers, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, and in Buffalo.
Coach Brandt is intrigued by the Bruins’ draft picks, and reassured the media that his squad will do all they can to help develop the talent that flows through their system. “There is a process and our league can play an important role if the NHL and AHL clubs trust that the right staff is in place”, Brandt said. “And there needs to be a continual line of communication between Boston and us and Providence.”
The ECHL coach has begun communicating already with the NHL team. He told the media Thursday that both himself and Sweeney share experience with working alongside youth, and both appear to be capable of working together.
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“Talking to , we have a lot of common ground on the development part of the game and making sure players they draft can continue to develop if they come down to the ECHL,” Brandt said. “He’s also gone out right from the beginning and targeted some guys that could be a good two-way fit (between Gwinnett and Providence).”
Sweeney himself was encouraged by Thursday’s deal with the ECHL team.
“The Boston Bruins and Providence Bruins are very excited to be forging a new development affiliation with the Gladiators,” Sweeney said in a press release Thursday, per NESN. “Working with a proud franchise and being a part of the passionate fans in the Duluth community will provide a tremendous opportunity for our young players to continue to grow and help them to reach their full potential as professional hockey players.”
Follow Christopher Bokum on Twitter @ChrisBokum