The New York Islanders announced this morning that they have signed a two-year extension with the Worcester Railers to keep the team as their ECHL affiliate through the 2025-26 season. Worcester has been partnered with the New York Islanders since they joined the ECHL for the 2017-18 season, and before that, the Worcester Sharks were the San Jose Sharks AHL affiliate. The Railers have not made the Kelly Cup Playoffs since their inaugural season when they lost in the opening round. One of the biggest names on the Railers who has made the NHL is Ken Appleby, who has appeared in three games with the New Jersey Devils. “The Worcester Railers are proud to extend our longstanding affiliation with the New York Islanders for another three seasons,” Railers Chief Operating Officer Michael G. Myers said. “We are eager to continue to work with their prospects within the organization and to have them play a role in the overall team success, both on the ice and in the community.”
Earlier this week, the Railers announced that they have hired Bob Deraney as the team’s assistant coach. He spent the 2019-20 season as a volunteer assistant coach and rejoined the team in that capacity last year after Worcester State Men’s Hockey team to their first-ever MASCAC Finals. Deraney won Coach of the Year three times while coaching Providence College’s women’s hockey team. “I have had the pleasure of working closely with Bob for almost three years now as both a player and a coach,” Lavallee-Smotherman said. “He is a tremendous hockey mind and someone with an unparalleled passion for the game of hockey. He has been coaching the game for a very long time and comes to the Railers with an incredible amount of knowledge for our players.”
