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Heat notebook: New ECHL affiliate, Young Stars roster announced

The Abbotsford Heat announced a new affiliation agreement with the ECHL's Alaska Aces on Wednesday.
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Sven Baertschi was among the former Abbotsford Heat players named to the Calgary Flames prospect squad for the Young Stars Classic in Penticton.

The Abbotsford Heat announced a new affiliation agreement with the ECHL's Alaska Aces on Wednesday.

The Heat had previously been partnering with the Utah Grizzlies, while the Anchorage-based Aces had operated as an independent (non-affiliated) club the past two seasons.

The Aces have won the ECHL's Kelly Cup championship on two occasions, in 2006 and 2011 – the latter title-winning team featuring Abbotsford-born defenceman Mark Isherwood.

“We have a serious commitment to rebuilding and getting our prospects ready to contribute as quickly as possible in Calgary,” said Jay Feaster, general manager of the Heat's parent club, the Calgary Flames. “In support of these objectives, we are excited to be able to add such a quality organization as the Alaska Aces to our development process.”

BAERTSCHI, REINHART AMONG THOSE NAMED TO YOUNG STARS ROSTER

Also on Wednesday, the Flames unveiled their roster for the upcoming Young Stars Classic in Penticton.

The round-robin preseason tournament runs Sept. 5-9 and brings together young players from the Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets.

Players on the 24-man roster who have seen action with the Heat in the past include forwards Sven Baertschi, Max Reinhart, Ryan Howse, Michael Ferland and Turner Elson; defenceman Brett Kulak; and goalie Joni Ortio.

The Flames' Young Stars entry also features several draftees who could spend the upcoming season with the Heat, including forward Markus Granlund, blueliner Tyler Wotherspoon and goalie Laurent Brossoit.

The complete roster and tournament schedule are as follows.

Goalies

Laurent Brossoit

Joni Ortio

Defencemen

Ryan Culkin

Zach Davies

Keegan Kanzig

Brett Kulak

John Ramage

Eric Roy

Patrick Sieloff

Tyler Wotherspoon

Forwards

Sven Baertschi

Turner Elson

Michael Ferland

Coda Gordon

Markus Granlund

Ben Hanowski

Ryan Howse

Josh Jooris

Morgan Klimchuk

Corban Knight

Sean Monahan

Linden Penner

Emile Poirier

Max Reinhart

Young Stars Classic tournament schedule (all game times Pacific)

Game 1: Edmonton vs Calgary - Sept. 5 at 4 p.m.

Game 2: Vancouver vs San Jose - Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Game 3: Winnipeg vs San Jose - Sept. 6 at 4 p.m.

Game 4: Vancouver vs Calgary -  Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Game 5: Alumni Game - Sept. 7 at 5 p.m.

Game 6: Edmonton vs Winnipeg - Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Game 7: Vancouver vs Edmonton - Sept. 8 at 2 p.m.

Game 8: San Jose vs Calgary - Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m.

Game 9: Winnipeg vs Vancouver - Sept. 9 at 12 p.m.