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WORCESTER — The Worcester Railers won’t play in a hockey game for another 119 days, but that didn’t stop the ECHL club from making a major move this weekend.
On Saturday, the Railers announced they reached an affiliation agreement with the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League and the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League through the 2030-31 season, starting with the 2026-27 campaign.
“When we were assessing affiliation opportunities, we looked at a number of factors,” said Michael Myers, the Railers’ chief operating officer. “We took into account proximity, resources and track record. Seeing what the Blues and their affiliates have done in recent history excites us as an organization for what the future with St. Louis may hold.”
This marks the Railers’ first change in affiliation in team history following an eight-season partnership with the New York Islanders.
The Railers’ affiliation with the Islanders began in 2017-2018, the first season in Railers history. In 2023, the affiliation was renewed through the 2025-2026 season, which recently ended.
The new agreement establishes Worcester as a resource for the Springfield Thunderbirds and St. Louis Blues.
“For the development of St. Louis Blues prospects, Worcester truly is an ideal location for our ECHL affiliate and we look forward to launching this partnership with their organization and community,” said Tim Taylor, who is the St. Louis Blues’ assistant general manager and co-general manager of the Springfield Thunderbirds. “Having Springfield and Worcester located within 50 miles of each other will maximize the competitive opportunities for our young players and introduce some unique efficiencies for our player development and pro scouting teams.”
The Railers have had players assigned to them from the St. Louis Blues organization in the past, including Colten Ellis, who became the fourth Railer to make his NHL debut after playing for the Railers during the 2021-22 season.
The agreement marks St. Louis’ return to the local hockey scene, as Worcester was once home to the Blues’ top AHL affiliate, the Worcester IceCats from 1994 to 2005.
“We look forward to welcoming St. Louis back into our Central Massachusetts hockey culture,” Myers said.
Contact Tommy Cassell at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Railers reach affiliation agreement with St. Louis Blues
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On Saturday, the Railers announced they reached an affiliation agreement with the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League and the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League through the 2030-31 season, starting with the 2026-27 campaign.
“When we were assessing affiliation opportunities, we looked at a number of factors,” said Michael Myers, the Railers’ chief operating officer. “We took into account proximity, resources and track record. Seeing what the Blues and their affiliates have done in recent history excites us as an organization for what the future with St. Louis may hold.”
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This marks the Railers’ first change in affiliation in team history following an eight-season partnership with the New York Islanders.
The Railers’ affiliation with the Islanders began in 2017-2018, the first season in Railers history. In 2023, the affiliation was renewed through the 2025-2026 season, which recently ended.
The new agreement establishes Worcester as a resource for the Springfield Thunderbirds and St. Louis Blues.
“For the development of St. Louis Blues prospects, Worcester truly is an ideal location for our ECHL affiliate and we look forward to launching this partnership with their organization and community,” said Tim Taylor, who is the St. Louis Blues’ assistant general manager and co-general manager of the Springfield Thunderbirds. “Having Springfield and Worcester located within 50 miles of each other will maximize the competitive opportunities for our young players and introduce some unique efficiencies for our player development and pro scouting teams.”
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The Railers have had players assigned to them from the St. Louis Blues organization in the past, including Colten Ellis, who became the fourth Railer to make his NHL debut after playing for the Railers during the 2021-22 season.
The agreement marks St. Louis’ return to the local hockey scene, as Worcester was once home to the Blues’ top AHL affiliate, the Worcester IceCats from 1994 to 2005.
“We look forward to welcoming St. Louis back into our Central Massachusetts hockey culture,” Myers said.
Contact Tommy Cassell at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Railers reach affiliation agreement with St. Louis Blues
Continue reading...
