ECHL: Adirondack Thunder and New Jersey Devils Extend Affiliation

The Adirondack Thunder and New Jersey Devils have signed a two-year extension for the Thunder to continue being the team’s ECHL Affiliate. The Utica Comets will continue to serve as the Devil’s AHL team and continue the three-tier system for the Devils. This move is a no-brainer for all parties involved, as the Thunder and Devils have worked very well together during their seven-year partnership, which began in 2017 and was on display during the 2023-24 season. New Jersey sent down goaltender Tyler Brennan to Adirondack this season as he played in 13 games with the Thunder, going 5-5-0-2 with a 3.16 GAA, .896SV%, and one shutout. Isaac Poulter, who began his pro career with the Thunder during the 2022-23 season, would spend most of the 2023-24 season with the Utica Comets but would be sent down to Adirondack to help the stretch and played a huge part for the Thunder during their historic playoff run as he went 5-0 with a 2.44 GAA and .917SV% at the end of the regular season and would go 7-8 with a 1.86 GAA, .939SV% and four shutouts in 15 Kelly Cup Playoff Games.

“We are extremely excited to continue our relationship with the New Jersey Devils and Utica Comets for two more seasons,” said Adirondack Thunder President Jeff Mead. “We are coming off our best season yet, both on and off the ice. With the help and support from New Jersey and Utica, we are looking forward to putting another winning team on the ice this season while also developing prospects.”

Adirondack Thunder Jeff Mead on the extension via Adirondack’s press release

The Thunder also had a decent amount of movement this season between Adirondack and Utica, with players like Jeremy Brodeur, Filip Engaras, Timur Ibragimov, Colin Felix, Will MacKinnon, and Erik Middendorf all seeing time in both Adirondack and Utica and proving to be pivotal parts of both teams’ success this season. Since the start of the affiliation between Adirondack and New Jersey in 2017, 10 players who had previously played for the Adirondack Thunder have made it to the NHL level and played in at least one game.