Last week, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Syracuse Crunch announced a four-year extension of their affiliation agreement, keeping the two organizations together through the 2029-30 season.

“We are both honored and excited to extend our partnership with the Tampa Bay Lightning,” said Syracuse Crunch Owner Howard Dolgon. “Over the past 14 seasons of this relationship, Crunch fans have been treated to the most competitive, highest quality of hockey in our franchise’s history. We look forward to more of the same.”

Since the partnership began, 104 players have suited up for both the Crunch and the Bolts. The pipeline became especially important last season, as the Lightning relied heavily on players from Syracuse while navigating injuries to several key players. It’s a formula that has been built over the years and continues to prove successful.

On Wednesday, Dolgon reflected on Syracuse’s transformation from what was once considered a “hockey graveyard” into one of the AHL’s model franchises. During the partnership with the Lightning, the Crunch have made the playoffs in all but two seasons and advanced to the Calder Cup Final twice. Together, Syracuse and Tampa Bay have also maintained the longest active streak of an AHL affiliate and its NHL club qualifying for the playoffs.

“The future for Syracuse has never been brighter and we, along with our partners in Tampa, are excited to be a part of it.”