Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson announced today that the club has reached an agreement with the Gwinnett Gladiators to serve as the ECHL affiliate for the Blue Jackets and the American Hockey League?s Syracuse Crunch for the 2009-10 season. ?We are very excited to add Gwinnett as our ECHL partner for this upcoming season,? said Blue Jackets Assistant General Manager Chris MacFarland. ?Developing players is crucial to the long term success of any hockey organization, and we feel very comfortable that Gwinnett will be a great place for our young players to develop and gain valuable professional experience.? The Gladiators begin their seventh season in Gwinnett and 14th season the ECHL in 2009-10. The Gladiators relocated to the North Atlanta suburb in 2003 from Mobile, Alabama after playing their first seven seasons in the ECHL as the Mobile Mysticks from the 1995-02. The Gladiators also serve as the ECHL affiliate for the Atlanta Thrashers and AHL?s Chicago Wolves. Columbus was affiliated with the ECHL?s Johnstown Chiefs last season and the Elmira Jackals in 2007-08, after affiliating with the Dayton Bombers from 2000-07.