"We're excited to work with San Antonio," said Blues general manager Doug Armstrong. "We'll start there with a five-year agreement where we'll control all hockey operations and they will control all the business operations. It's an exciting time to be able to control everything with the on-ice product - from the coaches to the trainers to all the players. We'll be responsible for supplying all the players, and that's something we're looking forward to."

The Rampage joined the American Hockey League in 2002-03 and play in the Pacific Division. The team is owned by Peter Holt, the CEO of HoltCat, who also owns the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, which Forbes named "North America's best run professional sports franchise" in 2013.

Video: Armstrong on San Antonio Rampage affiliation

The Rampage play their home games at the AT&T Center in San Antonio - a state-of-the-art multipurpose facility that also serves as the home of the Spurs.

"We visited a couple months ago and we were very impressed," Armstrong said of the facilities in San Antonio. "The main locker room where the Spurs play and where we'll play our games is impressive, and the practice rink is very nice. It will be a great setup for the guys as they hone their skills for the NHL."

During the 2017-18 season, the Blues are sharing their AHL affiliate - the Chicago Wolves - with the Vegas Golden Knights. Armstrong said the Blues will send players to the Wolves and others to San Antonio this season.