New York Adds ECHL Affiliate

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/31/2013 03:32:00 PM |
Stockton Thunder: Announced they have entered into an affiliation with Islanders/Sound Tigers with Garth Snow's comments. 

Former Islander Rich Kromm was recently named head coach. This franchise named a new president on 7/9/13.

8/1/13: Recordnet: Explains how affiliation happened.
The Islanders contacted the Thunder on July 16, the day after Kromm was hired. Kromm said he received a call from New York assistant general manager Kerry Gwydir.

"Kerry wanted to know what we had planned and at the time I told him that I wasn't sure what was going on with the Oilers," Kromm said. "After the situation with the Oilers was settled, I called back. Kerry and I talked about what each side wanted and found out we were very compatible."
Kromm said the plan is for the Islanders to send five players to Stockton, of which one will be a goaltender. Injuries, trades, signings and other issues could affect that number.

NYIFC Comments:
Given many NHL teams did not have an affiliation, mildly surprising given New York did not have one last season.

I did check the other day to see if one of the many teams changing affiliations included the Islanders. 

California is not moving closer to New York which is where the Islanders need an affiliate. Utah, Kalamazoo (became Devils affiliate after Islanders),  and likely Stockton is not a permanent solution which may extend to Ct at some future point to retain a team at Webster Bank Arena.