Devils extend lease for AHL affiliate

Aug 16, 2007 - 5:22 PM LOWELL, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Devils on Thursday picked up the option to extend the lease between their American Hockey League affiliate and the city of Lowell for use of the Tsongas Arena.

The option, which was exercised four months before a December 31, 2007 deadline, will keep the Lowell Devils in the "Mill City" through the 2009-10 season.

In their first season in Lowell, the Devils went 38-30-6 for fifth place in the Atlantic Division.

"We would like to thank the fans for their tremendous support during our first season," Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "We look forward to continuing the relationship with the city of Lowell and our fans for the next three seasons and beyond."

"The fans have welcomed us to the community, and they are important to our long-term plans," Lowell Devils executive director Chris Ciceri said. "We hope to bring them the same winning tradition that the organization has built in New Jersey over the past 25 seasons."

Similar to last year, the New Jersey Devils will travel to the Tsongas Arena for a preseason game against the New York Islanders on September 26.