Liles Joins Ice Ownership Group
June 19, 2007 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Indiana Ice News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN- The Indiana Ice is proud to announce a minority interest sale in the franchise to Indianapolis native John-Michael Liles. After six months of discussions with Ice Owner Paul Skjodt to come on board, an agreement was reached for Liles to step in as a board member for Blueline Enterprises, the parent company that owns the Indiana Ice.
"The John Michael Liles story is the exact reason why I brought the USHL to this city three years ago," said Skjodt. "He went up the ladder from youth hockey in Indy to the USHL to starring at Michigan State and is now an elite defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche. This new role gives him an early stepping stone into the business side of the sport when his hockey playing days are over. He will be a wonderful mentor and a huge asset for us at the local level for these young hockey players to look up to as well as help in creating awareness about the sport in this city. We were fortunate to have two local Carmel hockey players finish their first year in the USHL this past season and we want that trend to continue."
The 26-year-old Liles was a 2000 NHL Draft Pick of the Avalanche and has played three years for the club, producing 127 points (38G, 89A) in 232 NHL contests. The offensive-minded defenseman also played for the 2006 United States Olympic Team in Torino, Italy and was a former All-American blueliner at Michigan State University. Before making the trek to East Lansing, MI, he played in the USHL as a member of the United States National Team.
"I got to know Paul and his history in town at the youth hockey level over the last ten years and I was at the first Indiana Ice training camp," commented Liles. "Paul has supported and help put Indy on the map at the youth level and what a great avenue we have in place now for local players to pursue their academic and athletic goals at the highest level in the USA. My family and I are very excited to partner in this long term venture and look forward to meeting the players and staff this weekend at the Indiana Ice Main Camp."
New Indiana Ice partner John-Michael Liles will be in town this Saturday afternoon during day three of the Ice Main Camp for pictures and autographs. The four-day camp begins Thursday evening at Carmel Ice Skadium and culminates on Sunday with an All-Star game at 12 p.m.
Future plans with Liles also include a new hockey blog on the Ice web site (www.indianaice.com) so local hockey players and fans can ask him about his NHL trials and tribulations during the upcoming 2007-08 season.
Main Camp Schedule
Thursday, June 21st 5-9 p.m. Games
Friday, June 22nd 8-11:30 a.m. Practices
3-9:30 p.m. Games
Saturday, June 23rd 8-12:30 p.m. Games
3-9:30 p.m. Games
Sunday, June 24th 8-9:30 a.m. All-Star Teams' Practices
12 p.m. All-Star Game
(Main Camp will take place at the Carmel Ice Skadium located at 1040 3rd Ave. SW in Carmel, IN. Phone number at the rink is (317) 844-8888.)
For all the latest Ice information, please visit www.indianaice.com.
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United States Hockey League Stories from June 19, 2007
- Liles Joins Ice Ownership Group - Indiana Ice
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