The Lake Erie Monsters proved this spring that player development and winning in the American Hockey League can coexist.
Lake Erie's success bodes well for the future of the Columbus Blue Jackets as well. The Monsters became the first Blue Jackets affiliate to win the Calder Cup when they completed a four-game sweep of the Hershey Bears on Saturday in front of 19,665 fans in Cleveland.
"I don't think you can put a tag on [winning]," Monsters coach Jared Bednar said of how winning can aid development.