Hurricanes extend affiliation with AHL Albany

Feb 23, 2007 - 8:24 AM RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) - The state capital of New York apparently has grown on the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes on Thursday announced a two-year extension of their affiliation agreement with the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League.

Carolina's top minor league development team for the last two seasons, Albany will continue to breed players for the Hurricanes through the 2008-09 campaign.

"We are pleased that we will continue our affiliation with the River Rats," Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said. "The city of Albany, along with Walter Robb's strong and stable ownership of the team, combine to provide a good environment for our players to develop."

Albany also has been the main AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche over the past two seasons. No decision has been made on whether that partnership will continue beyond 2006-07.