Monsters, Blue Jackets extend partnership

Amid rumors the Monsters may become the AHL farm club for the Penguins, the Blue Jackets announce a new multi-year agreement for the Monsters to continue on as their feeder.

The Cleveland Monsters of the AHL and Blue Jackets of the NHL on Aug. 20 announced they are extending their affiliation with a new multi-year agreement.

Terms of the extension were not announced, but the news quells rumors the Monsters would become the AHL feeder of the Penguins.

The Monsters first became affiliated with the Blue Jackets in 2015-16 after eight seasons as the farm team of the Avalanche. The Monsters won the Calder Cup that season as AHL champion. Several players from that team are now core members of the Blue Jackets, including defenseman Zach Werenski, goalie Joonas Korpisalo and forwards Josh Anderson and Oliver Bjorkstrand.

“The partnership has been very successful for both organizations and markets over the past four years and we look forward to having our top prospects continue their development in Cleveland,” Bill Zito, Blue Jackets Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations, said in a statement released by the Blue Jackets.

The Monsters were 37-298-2. They made the playoffs for the first time since winning the Calder Cup in 2016 and were eliminated by Toronto in the second round.

“We are thrilled to continue our affiliation with the Blue Jackets,” Mike Ostrowski, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Office of the Monsters, said. “Throughout the first four years together, we have grown the overall connection for hockey fans in the state of Ohio and we look forward to continued growth of our partnership into the future.”

Mike Eaves replaced John Madden as Monsters coach June 19.