CHL Announces Franchise Awards
July 20, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
GLENDALE, AZ (July 19, 2013) - The Central Hockey League's (CHL) 18th annual "ÃËSummer Conference' concluded on Friday night at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix with the league's awards banquet honoring the top front office executives and team achievements from the 2012-13 season.
For the third straight season, the Missouri Mavericks earned the league's highest organizational honor by winning the CHL Franchise of the Year. The Mavs won five additional awards taking home the Group Ticket Sales, Ticket Sales and Corporate Partnership awards along with team President Brent Thiessen winning the Brad Treliving Executive of the Year and team broadcaster Bob Rennison winning the Broadcaster of the Year.
The Wichita Thunder finished right behind the Mavericks winning five awards including Thunder Co-Owner Rodney Steven winning the CHL Leadership Award. Two other Thunder staffers were honored with Luke Schuellein winning the Ticketing Executive of the Year and Jason Mals winning the Communications Executive of the Year. The Thunder also gained recognition in Game Operations and were named the Most Improved Franchise.
Denver Governor Greg Smith was named the winner of the Kozuback Award, named in recognition of former CHL President Rick Kozuback, which is "ÃËpresented annually to the Central Hockey League owner, front office staff member, coach or player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, determination and commitment to the game, sport and business of hockey.' Smith helped the expansion Cutthroats get off to a solid start fighting their way to a playoff berth while battling a personal illness (cancer) that saw him fight a much different battle.
The Cutthroats also earned honors in New Media and Merchandising.
The Arizona Sundogs took home the evenings other two awards by being named the Community Relations Franchise of the Year and marketing executive Lew Rees winning the Ralph Backstrom Soul of Service award given for outstanding customer service.
The entire list of award winners is below:
Ralph Backstrom Soul of Service Award - Lew Rees, Arizona Sundogs
CHL Game Operations Franchise of the Year - Wichita Thunder
CHL Merchandising Franchise of the Year - Denver Cutthroats
CHL Community Relations Franchise of the Year - Arizona Sundogs
CHL New Media Franchise of the Year - Denver Cutthroats
CHL Broadcaster of the Year - Bob Rennison, Missouri Mavericks
CHL Communications Executive of the Year - Jason Mals, Wichita Thunder
CHL Corporate Partnership Team of the Year - Missouri Mavericks
CHL Group Sales Franchise of the Year - Missouri Mavericks
CHL Ticketing Executive of the Year - Luke Schuellein, Wichita Thunder
CHL Ticket Sales Franchise of the Year - Missouri Mavericks
Rick Kozuback Award - Greg Smith, Denver Cutthroats
CHL Leadership Award - Rodney Steven, Wichita Thunder
CHL Most Improved Franchise - Wichita Thunder
Brad Treliving CHL Executive of the Year - Brent Thiessen, Missouri Mavericks
CHL Franchise of the Year - Missouri Mavericks
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