Lightning reach agreement with AHL Norfolk

Mar 29, 2007 - 9:53 PM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The road to Tampa Bay just got shorter for the team's prospects as the Lightning on Thursday announced a multi-year affiliation agreement with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.

The partnership will begin in 2007-08, with the Lightning supplying the Admirals with a full roster of players. Tampa Bay currently is in the final season of its agreement with the Springfield Falcons.

Current Springfield coach Steve Stirling and assistant Darren Rumble will make lateral moves to Norfolk next campaign.

"We are very excited by the opportunity to partner with such an outstanding organization as Norfolk and such a committed owner in Ken Young," Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said. "Throughout our discussions and negotiations, Ken's passion for and commitment to his team, the organization and the wonderful fans of the Admirals has been abundantly evident, and we look forward to working with him for a very long time."

Norfolk currently is the affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Prior to its affiliation with Springfield, Tampa Bay has had working agreements with AHL teams in Adirondack, Hershey and Hamilton, as well as Atlanta, Cleveland and Detroit of the defunct International Hockey League.