TAMPA, Fla. (WWSB) – Perhaps no one is more thrilled with this week’s extension of the affiliation between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch than the President, CEO, and Governor of the Crunch himself, Howard Dolgon.
“We could not be with a better NHL partner than Tampa,” Dolgon said in a recent interview with ABC7.
“We believe they are the gold standard of sports franchises,” he added.
It’s a partnership that goes back fourteen years. It will now last at least four more.
“We are looked upon, the partnership with Tampa, really as one of the most respected in the league,” Dolgon said.
“Not just in length of time. It’s a very transparent relationship. We share everything, there’s no secrets. We work closely together on all issues, both on the hockey side and on the business side,” he added.
More than 100 players have suited up for both the Crunch and the Lightning since their affiliation began in 2012. Dolgon remembers the beginning of that partnership. There were previous affiliations with Vancouver, Columbus and Anaheim, but the team jumped at the chance to be affiliated with Tampa Bay.
“When the opportunity came to partner with Julien BriseBois, who I knew from his days in Hamilton – the professionalism, the attention to detail, the cooperation – it was the best thing we’ve ever done for our team,” Dolgon said.
The Crunch’s President and CEO says that the Lightning’s ability to draft top talent without having top picks, and their focus on the character of the players says a great deal about the organization.
“It’s being able to recognize not only the talent in the player, but the intangible in the player,” Dolgon added.
“Again, I say a lot of guys are playing checkers. Julien is playing the masterclass of chess,” he added.
Now with the NHL adding two extra games to the regular season from 82 to 84, the game is trending up.
“Hockey’s at a great place right now,” Dolgon said.
“I look at the Lightning as not only the best run NHL organization, but I think you’d have a real difficult time finding any professional sports organization from top to bottom that’s run as efficiently, as respected as much as Tampa Bay is,” he added.
One of the highlights for the Crunch leader is to see the stars of tomorrow develop right before his eyes and get the opportunity at the next level.
“I watched ‘Kooch’s’ first game, first home game,” Dolgon said.
“I think he had a hat trick, and I’m watching him play and I’m thinking he’s not going to be here long. Certain guys you can tell right away, they see the game differently. Brayden Point. Vasilevskiy as a goalie,” he added.
He recalled the joy of seeing Crunch players realize their dreams and make it to the NHL.
“There’s nothing like it,” Dolgon said.
“We hate to lose a good player, but that’s what our league is about. Developing players, and having them play in the NHL,” he said.
When players do make it to the Lightning, they may be out of his everyday life, but they’re not out of mind.
“I see them when I go to Tampa,” Dolgon said.
“It gives me so much pride, almost like a father watching their kid having success in life. And that’s the great thing about hockey, is, when they’re you’re player, they’re always your player,” he added with a smile.
Copyright 2026 WWSB. All rights reserved.