In what has been described as a natural fit multiple times, the Lake Erie Monsters officially announced today that they will be the AHL affiliate to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Lake Erie Monsters currently play their games in Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The benefits of this partnership will be plentiful and the beginning of it started today at a press conference at the Q. Multiple Cleveland born former Blue Jackets spoke at the event in addition to Blue Jackets brass being in attendance as well.
A couple of quick notes from the press conference:
- The initial jerseys and branding will remain the same but it looks like the Monsters and Blue Jackets will be working together on a Monsters alternate jersey.
- Exhibition games are already set in stone for this year but be on the look out for cross promotion of each of these teams possibly starting in 2016-17 season.
- Per Alison Lukan the collaboration of the alternate jersey is viewed as an important part of the partnership
- Jerseys of both teams will be in each of their team stores.
Shirts for today's #CBJ / Monsters event. #ALLofUS pic.twitter.com/2UgN1ra0lG
— Alison (@AlisonL) April 23, 2015
About to get started at @TheQArena. #CBJ #ALLofUS pic.twitter.com/ChCQfs1CqP
— Rob Mixer (@RobMixer) April 23, 2015
From all indications it looks as if this will be a long term agreement that should bring multiple long term benefits to both teams. The Northeast Ohio fan base has seen a split at times over which NHL team they should support with the Red Wings and Penguins garnering most of the interest pre 2000. If they are able to build solid fan support from the beginning on up you will find that the Blue Jackets fan base grows stronger and more profitable for both sides. A win-win scenario any way you split it, this is a great day to be a Jackets fan.
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