Buffalo was previously affiliated with the Cincinnati Cyclones
The Buffalo Sabres announced the Jacksonville Icemen as their new ECHL affiliate on Monday.
Previously, Buffalo had been affiliated with the Cincinnati Cyclones since 2017. Prior to teaming up with the Sabres, the Icemen had been the affiliate of the New York Rangers the past two seasons.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Jacksonville Icemen as our new ECHL affiliate,” Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams said in a statement. “This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for both organizations and further emphasizes our commitment to the growth and development of our players and staff. The Icemen’s dedication to excellence both on and off the ice, coupled with competitive conference play, made them a great fit for our new affiliate.”
The Icemen set club records last season with 44 wins and 93 points and made it to the division finals of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, where they fell in six games to the eventual champion Florida Everblades.
The Rochester Americans, Buffalo’s American Hockey League affiliate, has turned to the ECHL affiliate for roster help over the years. Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played 23 games with Cincinnati in his first full professional season in 2019-20. Matej Pekar, who was not extended a qualifying offer last month, was the lone forward on an NHL contract to see time in the ECHL last season. Amerks forwards Kohen Olischefski and Josh Passolt each played most of the season with Cincinnati before being recalled to Rochester.
Sabres assistant coach Jason Christie served as head coach of the Icemen for four seasons before joining Don Granato’s staff ahead of the 2021-22 season. He is the ECHL's all-time leader in games coached (1,282) and wins (667).