Thunder's Chapman Named ECHL Executive of the Year
Published on June 22, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL) News Release
PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL announced on Wednesday that Stockton Thunder President Dan Chapman has been selected by the ECHL Board of Governors as the 2010-11 recipient of the ECHL Executive of the Year award.
Stockton saw a six-percent increase in its attendance in the 2010-11 season ranking second in the league with 6,382 fans per game - the team's highest average since 2007-08. The Thunder also welcomed 12 crowds of 7,000 or more. Stockton has averaged over 6,000 fans per game in each of its six seasons in the league and led the ECHL in attendance for its first four seasons before finishing third in 2009-10.
Chapman also helped initiate and administer a dual affiliation agreement between two National Hockey League clubs, the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks. Last season, the Thunder won 37 games, tied a club record with 86 points (2006-07) and advanced to the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the fifth straight year.
"I am very honored to receive this award as selected by my colleagues in the ECHL," said Chapman. "Individual awards like this can't be won without strength of ownership, the supreme efforts of a talented front office and a competitive hockey team. The Thunder has all of these with the passion and leadership of our owner Brad Rowbotham, a dedicated group of employees that continue to produce tremendous results year after year and a hockey team our coaching staff has molded into a winning environment."
"Dan Chapman and the entire Thunder team did an outstanding job this past season in growing all areas of the Thunder business in a tough economy," said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. "He is a tireless worker on behalf of his team and the League. He is a very worthy choice as Executive of the Year in the ECHL."
Chapman, a native of Stockton and graduate from San Francisco State University, enter his seventh season as Thunder president and alternate governor in 2011-12. His professional sports management experience extends to 14 years with the Stockton Ports minor league baseball team, including a 10-year span from 1989-99 when he served as General Manager. He was named the Class-A Executive of the Year by The Sporting News in 1990 and received the California League Award of Excellence in 1992.
ECHL Executive Of The Year Winners
YEAR WINNER TEAM
2011 Dan Chapman Stockton Thunder
2010 Kristin Ropp Cincinnati Cyclones
2009 Gordon Kaye Reading Royals
2008 Darren Abbott South Carolina Stingrays
2007 Matt Riley Bakersfield Condors
2006 Steve Chapman Gwinnett Gladiators
2005 Steve Chapman Gwinnett Gladiators
2004 Terry Parks Alaska Aces
2003 John Butler Peoria Rivermen
2002 Matt Loughran Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
2001 Craig Brush Florida Everblades
2000 Brian McKenna Trenton Titans
1999 Carl Scheer Greenville Grrrowl
1998 Charles Felix Pensacola Ice Pilots
1997 David Paitson Columbus Chill
1996 Dave Berryman Louisiana IceGators
1995 Harvey Feuerstein and Craig Laughlin Richmond Renegades
1994 Jean Gagnon and Pierre Paiement Roanoke Express
1993 Larry Kish Wheeling Thunderbirds
ECHL Stories from June 22, 2011
- ECHL Alumnus Thomas Wins Vezina Trophy as NHL's Top Goaltender - ECHL
- Former ECHL Player Bylsma Wins Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year - ECHL
- Thunder's Chapman Named ECHL Executive of the Year - ECHL
- Thunder's Dan Chapman Named ECHL Executive of the Year - Stockton Thunder
- ECHL Kelly Cup Champs & Feature on first year success highlight Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
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