PORTLAND – The Portland Pirates announced Monday a five-year affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League’s Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

The deal takes effect for the 2005-2006 season. The Washington Capitals announced last month that they were ending their 12-year affiliation with the Pirates and forming a partnership with the Hershey Bears to be the team’s primary minor-league affiliate.

The Mighty Ducks were previously affiliated with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks in an arrangement dating back to 1997.