FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The Fort Wayne Komets have inked a NHL player-development agreement with the Colorado Avalanche.

The agreement allows the Avalance to assign players to Fort Wayne for development, while providing opportunities for Komets players to be evaluated for the NHL roster or the AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters in Cleveland.

Under the deal, the Komets are still allowed to sign a limited number of players who will remain with the team, and not subject to call-ups.

In statement from the Komets, Fort Wayne general manager David Franke said, “As I have stated many times, if we could find the right NHL/AHL partner, we would become affiliated again. I feel with the director of player personnel David Oliver and assistant Avalanche general manager Craig Billington, we have found the right partners. Those gentleman, along with Josh Kroenke, Joe Sakic and head coach Patrick Roy, are focused on winning and developing from within the entire organization.”

Franke added, “This will provide our players a direct line to the AHL. There will be player movement during the season between Fort Wayne and Lake Erie. That is what the ECHL is all about, developing players so they can reach the highest level possible. The opportunity to work with David Oliver and his scouting staff will be a huge asset to the Komet organization.”