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Checkers announce new ownership

June 29, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL) - Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Checkers announced today that Michael Kahn has purchased the team from majority owner Felix Sabates and four minority owners. Kahn, owner of Empire Distributors of North Carolina, becomes the fifth owner of the Checkers in the team's 13 year history (including two stints by Sabates and Carl Scheer).

"It is my sincere desire with this acquisition to make the Charlotte Checkers the elite team in the ECHL," said Kahn. "It is an honor and I am humbled to be able to continue Felix and Carl's vision of a successful hockey organization in Charlotte. While we continue to strive to put an exciting team on the ice, we are going to strive to increase our community and civic involvement in Charlotte as well."

The Checkers upper management will remain intact.

In the team's first season at Charlotte Bobcats Arena, the Checkers increased attendance by 16% and finished fourth in overall attendance in the ECHL.

"We are excited to implement Mr. Kahn's visions of our increased community involvement and awareness," said Jeff Longo, President. "The organization will move forward through a renewed commitment towards a hard working and successful team on the ice as well as providing fans with original and fun entertainment from the second people step out of their cars until they leave at the end of the night."

In addition to the team's success in increased attendance last season, the Checkers reached the playoffs for the second consecutive season and ninth time in 13 seasons. Derek Wilkinson will return for his third full season as head coach and general manager.

"We look forward with great anticipation to working with Mr. Kahn," said Wilkinson. "With his leadership and commitment we will be able to bring an exciting and winning team to the very deserving hockey fans in Charlotte."

The Checkers, affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers, were brought to Charlotte in 1993 by Sabates and Carl Scheer. After winning the ECHL's Riley Cup in 1996, Sabates and Scheer sold the team to Tim Braswell. Ray Wooldridge and George Shinn purchased the team from Braswell after three years before Sabates and Scheer, along with four other partners, returned in 2002.

"In reviewing the recent history of hockey in Charlotte, you can see the building of enthusiasm and excitement for this sport," said Scheer. "We can credit Felix for much of that because when there was the possibility that the franchise could be moving to another city (four years ago), I approached him about putting up the money to keep hockey in Charlotte. Felix stepped up and the Checkers continue to call Charlotte home. Now it's our chance to grow this team to even bigger and better limits with Michael Kahn and his combination of business savvy and hockey enthusiasm."

"The contributions of Mr. Sabates and Mr. Scheer towards hockey in Charlotte are unsurpassed," said Longo. "From bringing the team here in the early 90's with great success and working to restore hockey in Charlotte to it's previous status in 2002 and most recently helping bring it to new heights with the team's move uptown last season, these two men's contributions have been remarkable."

"My family and I are grateful to Mr. Sabates and Mr. Scheer and the ownership team for the tremendous opportunity they've provided for us here in Charlotte," said Wilkinson.


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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