Maine to keep Pirates, affiliation with Caps

PORTLAND_The Portland Pirates said Friday they will remain in Maine’s largest city and continue their affiliation with the Washington Capitals at least until 1999.

In separate announcements, the American Hockey League franchise said it extended its player development agreement with Washington and renewed its ;ease on the Cumberland County Civic Center for three seasons.

The Pirates also announced that Coach Barry Trotz was named to the additional post of director of hockey operations, putting him in charge of player recruitment and contract negotiations.

The Capitals will supply Portland with eight to 12 players, telling the Pirates how many players they will be getting by May of the prevous spring.

“This gives us a little more flexibility,” said Pirates owner Tom Ebright. “It allows us too replace Capitals players with some quality players of our own.”

The NHL club said the new agreement works well for both teams.

“It’s hard to envision anyone having a better working agreement than what we have in Portland,” said David Poile, Capitals vice president and general manager.

The Pirates also said they have formalized a player development agreement with the Hampton Roads Admirals of the East Coast Hockey League, which provided Portland with such standouts as Olaf Kolzig, Steve Poapst and Byron Dafoe.

“We will be able to develop and then call up players from Hampton on short notice,” said Geoffrey Wood, Pirates president and general manager.

The Pirates exercised their option to extend the Civic Center lease for three seasons and obtained an additional three-year option that would keep the team in Portland through 2002.

The Pirates, who have led the AHL in sellouts in each of their first two seasons, are working with the arena to explore the feasibility of expanded seating at hockey games.

“Let there be no question about the Pirates’ commitment to be in Portland,” Ebright said. “We are thrilled with the way the community has embraced us. This is our home.”