Barons' move could affect SteelHounds

YOUNGSTOWN -- Next season's relocation of the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League to Worcesteer, Mass., could affect the team's relationship with the Youngstown SteelHounds.
Monday, Barons officials announced that they have reached an agreement with the SMG-managed DCU Center in Worcester to have the National Hockey League's San Jose Shark's AHL affiliate play there beginning with the 2006-07 season.
The SteelHounds serve as the primary Central Hockey League affiliate of the Barons.
"The SteelHounds anticipated and expected that the Barons would be relocating after this season," said SteelHounds General Manager George Manias who added that the decision currently "has no bearing on our affiliation agreement.
"The proximity between Cleveland and Youngstown was ideal for player movement and for marketing purposes during the SteelHounds' inaugural season," Manias said. "Our affiliation with the Sharks' AHL team or any other potential partner will be assessed and reviewed at the end of the season.
"And if it makes sense to align ourselves with the Sharks' AHL team again, we will certainly entertain the option," Manias said.
The Barons will call themselves the Worcester Sharks. They will play in an arena that opened in 1982 and formerly housed the AHL's Worcester Ice Cats.