The Avalanche announced today that its second-tier minor-league affiliate this season will be the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League.
The Oilers replace the now-defunct Charlotte Checkers of the ECHL, which amounts to a “AA” minor-league affiliate under the “AAA-equivalent” Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League.
The move adds to the link between Colorado’s major-league teams and the Tulsa market. The Rockies have a more extensive farm system, of course, but their Double-A affiliate long has been the Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League.
The Oilers’ roster will be only sprinkled with Avalanche farmhands rather than fully stocked with them. Last season, goalie Trevor Cann went to Tulsa mainly as a means of getting him extensive work.
The Oilers are in the CHL’s Berry Conference, while the Colorado Eagles — based in Loveland — are in the Turner Conference.
Mammoth opens with champion Stealth.
The National Lacrosse League and the Colorado Mammoth released the 2011 season schedule Thursday. Entering its ninth NLL campaign, the Mammoth will open its quest for a championship with a strong test against the defending NLL champion Washington Stealth on Jan. 8 at the Pepsi Center.
“We are very excited about our schedule this season,” said Mammoth president and general manager Steve Govett. “Our fans will be able to witness not only the best lacrosse players in the world right here at Pepsi Center, but a rejuvenated, dedicated and gritty Mammoth squad they’ll be proud of.”
The 16-game schedule features two home games every month from January through April.
CHL’s Eagles acquire forward Rycroft.
The Colorado Eagles announced the acquisition of forward Daymen Rycroft from the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in exchange for defenseman Felipe Larranaga, future considerations and the Central Hockey League rights of veteran defenseman Jim Jackson.
Final homestand for Sky Sox.
Labor Day weekend is the final homestand of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox’s 2010 season as they play a four-game series against the Sacramento River Cats starting today. The series will include two fireworks shows (today and Saturday), a fleece blanket giveaway (Sunday) and “Shirt Off Our Backs” night (Monday).
