Wheaton Whip-Crack to Join Caps Family as 2016-17 ECHL Affiliate!
Despite their long-standing favourable relationship with the ECHL‘s South Carolina Stingrays (and that team’s entrance to the playoffs yet again this year), the Washington Capitals have decided to try their luck with a closer ECHL affiliate. This time around, however, they’re taking a note from the LA Kings and establishing up a brand new team all their own – the Wheaton Whip-Crack!
The Caps have tried moving their ECHL affiliation down the street once before, partnering with the Reading Royals for two memorable seasons from 2012-14. While the Royals got a Kelly Cup Championship out of the deal, the Capitals… didn’t add to their hardware collection. The biggest winners were the rookie pros, who were able to bounce between the Royals (ECHL) and Hershey Bears (AHL) with only an hour in the car. The minor league distance will be a bit greater with the swap to Wheaton, but it still allows call-ups to make the trip by car instead of airplane.
The first season of the Whip-Crack will coincide with the opening of a new arena being built in Downtown Wheaton, part of the ongoing revitalization project centered around the Wheaton Urban District. Capitals alumnus Peter Bondra has been tapped as General Manager for the new team, so watch for him to be scouting talent at this year’s Capitals Development Camp.
As always, the devil’s in the details – in this case, in the datebook.
Happy April Fools Day from Capitals Outsider!