Looks like the Golden Knights are expanding their brand and development system. According to Zach Leach of ProHockeyRumors.com, the Vegas Golden Knights are just “a signature away” from signing the Fort Wayne Komets as their new ECHL affiliate.
Last season, Fort Wayne was the ECHL affiliate for the Arizona Coyotes. Vegas currently does not have an ECHL affiliate, which is not unusual. Five other teams in the NHL also do not have a partnership with an ECHL team. However, it is usually a prudent move to have a “double-A” team for players to develop their skills even more.
This move has yet to be confirmed by the Vegas Golden Knights organization.
If this deal does go through, the Komets will join the Chicago Wolves (AHL) as the other minor league team for the Golden Knights.
Many Vegas fans were hoping if the Golden Knights did get an ECHL affiliate, it would come from a brand new team that could from in Reno. Though it is not ideal the affiliate is in the midwest, the team had no trouble with it last season with the Chicago Wolves shuffling players back and forth to and from the AHL.
What do you think Golden Knights fans? Are you a fan to expand the organization and add an ECHL team, even though it is in the Midwest? Or should they grow to expand the team in the region, such as up in Reno?
Vegas fans remember how much fun Wrangler’s games were back in the day, so don’t think because it is an ECHL team it won’t draw a crowd. It will be good for the Knights to show off organizational depth. There is still plenty of time before the start of the season, but we shall see if the Knights want to keep up with theme of their midwest affiliate teams.
