North Charleston , S.C. – In a move that will keep the Stingrays organization part of the family, the Washington Capitals (NHL), the Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears (AHL), and the South Carolina Stingrays have renewed their affiliation agreement. The one-year agreement covers the 2010-11 season and will be the sixth consecutive season the three teams have worked together. The long-term relationship has proved effective for all three franchises, as each team has been one of the premier teams in their respective leagues, over the life of the agreement. Hershey has now won back-to-back Calder Cups in the AHL and the âRays won the ECHL Kelly Cup in the 2009-10 season. The Stingrays bowed out this year in the ECHL playoffs to the eventual Kelly Cup winners the Cincinnati Cyclones. Washington had the best regular season record last season, but were ousted in the first round in a major upset pulled off by Montreal. George McPhee, General Manager of the Capitals, stated in a press release that âOur affiliation with South Carolina has been beneficial for the Capitals and the Stingrays. The city and the franchise have given our prospects a good place to play and develop as professionals.â South Carolina had six Washington contracted players on their roster last year, including a first round pick from 2005, in big Joe Finley, who spent much of the season on injured reserve. Some standouts from last season included forwards Jake Hauswirth and Trevor Bruess, and defensemen Josh Godfrey and Patrick Weller. Goalie Braden Holtby played in 13 games for South Carolina last season, before his promotion to the Bears in the AHL. Holtby dressed for five NHL games last year and led AHL rookie goaltenders in goals against average (2.32) and save percentage (.917). He was the seventh former Stingraysâ player to dress for the Capitals over the span of the relationship. Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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