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ISLANDERS NAME AFFILIATION WITH ODESSA

Aug 11, 2008

Odessa Jackalopes

The New York Islanders announced today that the team has signed an affiliation agreement with the Odessa Jackalopes of the CHL.

“We are very excited about our agreement with Odessa,” Sound Tigers president Howard Saffan said. ““Having strong affiliates is imperative to building the Islanders’ future. Along with the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL), the Odessa Jackalopes will help feed the organization with not only skilled hockey players but great human beings.”

Joe Clark, the team’s general manager, served as Odessa’s head coach for three years from their inaugural year in 1997 to 2000. Head Coach Paul Gillis joined the Jackalopes in the summer of 2007 and became just the third head coach in the franchise's 11-year history.

“I know first-hand what kind of organization the New York Islanders are,” Clark said. “We are fortunate to be part of their family, and are committed to helping them in any way possible.”

“The Odessa Jackalopes are a top-rate organization and we’re proud to have them as an affiliate,” Islanders general manager Garth Snow said. “Joe Clark and his staff run a great program in Texas and we’re looking forward to working with them.”