Ducks tap Elmira as new ECHL affiliate.

The Ducks have identified their new ECHL affiliate, agreeing to an affiliation with the Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals. Elmira is two hours south of Syrcause, making it the closest ECHL team to the Ducks’ AHL affiliate.

“We are thrilled to be entering into a formal affiliation agreement with Elmira,” Ducks GM Bob Murray said in a statement. “With ideal proximity to Syracuse and a premier facility in First Arena, Elmira will be a key partner in the development of our young players.”

Under head coach Malcolm Cameron, the Jackals scored a league-leading 275 goals last season and captured the East Division championship with a 37-26-9 record.

The Jackals will play three games in Southern California this season, visiting the Ontario Reign on February 11, 12 and 13 at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Reports: Florida, Elmira candidates to become Ducks’ ECHL affiliate.

Since severing ties with the Bakersfield Condors, the Ducks have been searching for an ECHL affiliate closer to AHL affiliate Syracuse. According to reports out of Florida and New York, the Florida Everblades and Elmira Jackals are the leading candidates.

The Naples-based Everblades recently severed ties with the Florida Panthers. Elmira is already affiliated with the Ottawa Senators, but dual affiliations are not uncommon and no ECHL city is closer to Syracuse.

Coincidentally, the Jackals’ new head coach, Malcolm Cameron, spent the last two seasons coaching the Everblades.

Another goalie prospect is goalie of the month.

This time it’s Timo Pielmeier, who crowded Jean-Phillippe Levasseur out of a job in Bakersfield, picking up the ECHL’s goaltender of the month award. Levasseur was named goalie of the month in the Central Hockey League yesterday.

Pielmeier, 20, went 6-1-0 during the month, boasting a 2.07 goals-against average and a.925 save percentage in eight appearances. The German-born netminder ranks ninth in the ECHL with a 2.78 GAA and is third in the league with eight wins, one shy of the ECHL lead. Pielmeier has more appearances than any other rookie goalie, and is sixth in the league with 713 minutes played.