SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Hockey Club announced a one-year affiliation agreement with the Allen Americans of the ECHL.

The Allen Americans are based in Allen, Texas. The ECHL is a professional development league for the NHL, the order goes ECHL to AHL to NHL.

Utah’s AHL affiliate is currently the Tuscon Roadrunners.

We have reached a one-year affiliation agreement with the ECHL's @AllenAmericans!

𝙳𝙴𝚃𝙰𝙸𝙻𝚂 🔗 https://t.co/EtOgY1Hd2b#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/y1jtnphsgL

— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) July 31, 2024

Utah Hockey Club’s New ECHL Affiliate – The Allen Americans

“The Americans are a first-class organization with a passionate fan base and a reputation of winning,” said John Ferguson, assistant general manager for Utah Hockey Club and general manager for Utah’s AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. “We look forward to working with Americans Ownership, Myles and La Sonjia Jack, this season.”

The Americans compete in the Mountain Divison of the Western Conference. They joined the ECHL before the 2014-15 season and immediately won consecutive Kelly Cups, only missing the playoffs once. The team has taken home three division championships.

A single-year agreement for ECHL affiliation is not a common occurrence in pro hockey, but it does happen. The most common type of affiliation deal is a three-year contract with a two-year option – totaling five years.

What About The Utah Grizzlies?

The Grizzlies, Utah’s beloved ECHL team, are currently affiliated with the Colorado Avalanche. According to sources within the organization, that deal has two years left with a two-year option.

The Avalanche’s AHL team, the Eagles, play in Loveland, Colorado – about an hour North of Denver.

Grizz fans! What was your favorite memory from last season? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/HX7NW9jTjF

— Utah Grizzlies (@UtahGrizzlies) July 29, 2024

Do The Utah Grizzlies Play The Allen Americans?

The teams are in the same division and will meet for the Grizzlies’ home opener on November 1.

The teams will play a total of eight times this upcoming season.

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