2007 CHL/GEC Summer Conference Concludes

Published on June 18, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


The Central Hockey League / Global Entertainment 2007 Summer Conference concluded Saturday evening with the annual awards banquet , ending four days of meetings, guest speakers, training seminars and social events held at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. Alignment and playoff format for the 2007-2008 season were among several operational issues finalized by the CHL Board of Governors.

The CHL will retain the two conference, four division format used since the 2001-2002 season, with the Texas (formerly Fort Worth) Brahmas, back from a one year hiatus, joining the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, Memphis RiverKings and Youngstown SteelHounds in the Northeast Division. The Tulsa Oilers shift from the Northeast to the Northwest, forming the CHL's only five team division along with the Colorado Eagles, Oklahoma City Blazers, Rocky Mountain Rage and Wichita Thunder. The Austin Ice Bats, Corpus Christi Rayz, Laredo Bucks and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees will again comprise the Southeast Division, while the Southwest Division will feature the Amarillo Gorillas, Arizona Sundogs, New Mexico Scorpions and Odessa Jackalopes. The Lubbock Cotton Kings have been granted a suspension of operations for the 2007-2008 season.

The playoff format for the 2007-2008 season has also been modified, with the top five clubs from each conference qualifying. The #4 and #5 seeds in each conference will play an opening round best of three games series, with the winners advancing to the Conference Semifinal round along with the top three seeds. The Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals and Ray Miron President's Finals will each remain best of seven game formats. CHL clubs will also have the option of carrying a 19 man roster in the 2007-2008 season, with a maximum of 18 players participating each game.

The Oklahoma City Blazers, who captured their fifth minor professional hockey attendance crown this season, were named CHL Franchise of the Year, with 14 other individual and team awards presented. "We congratulate the Oklahoma City Blazers and each of this year's award winners on their accomplishments over the past season of play," said CHL President Brad Treliving. ‘We had numerous outstanding recipients and finalists for each award, and we recognize their efforts in setting extremely high standards of operation in all areas." A complete list of award recipients and finalists is detailed below.

On the social agenda, the Austin Ice Bats trio of Coach Brent Hughes, Owner Jeff Buch, and Vice President of Corporate Sakes Danny Madden teamed with Kolin Kriitmaa from MacLean Sports Marketing to claim victory in Friday's Daktronics Golf Scramble with a 17 under round of 55, while the CHL's own Aaron Jackson, Director of Franchise Services, outlasted the competition to win the Boston's Casino Night Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament.

Patrick Armstrong, Director of Media & Community Relations for the Colorado Eagles, finished second, while Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees General Manager Grant Buckborough and Killer Bees owner Troy Nelson finished third and fourth respectively. The various events raised nearly $6,000.00 dollars for the Hoffen Foundation, all of which will be distributed to various children's charities across CHL markets.

2007 Summer Conference Awards Recipients & Finalists

CHL Franchise of the Year - Oklahoma City Blazers

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which best exemplifies operational excellence under the CHL system. Also named as Finalists: Arizona Sundogs, Colorado Eagles, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, Wichita Thunder

CHL Leadership Award - Eric Lacroix, Arizona Sundogs

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise owner or governor who has most distinguished himself in the area of franchise development and overall contributions to the CHL. Also named as Finalists: Glenn Hart (Laredo Bucks), Brad Lund (Oklahoma City Blazers)

CHL Executive of the Year - Grant Buckborough, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League executive who best exemplifies the qualities of excellence and professionalism in a leadership role. Also named as Finalists: Chris Presson (Wichita Thunder), Brent Thiessen (Arizona Sundogs)

CHL Most Improved Franchise of the Year - Memphis RiverKings

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which best demonstrates the largest overall improvement in all facets of operation over the course of the season. Also named as Finalists: Odessa Jackalopes, Tulsa Oilers

CHL Community Relations Franchise of the Year - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which has best demonstrated commitment and excellence in the field of community relations. Also named as Finalists: Arizona Sundogs, Colorado Eagles, Oklahoma City Blazers

CHL Game Operations Franchise of the Year - Laredo Bucks

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which has consistently produced the most entertaining and well planned in-arena events during the course of the season. Also named as Finalists: Arizona Sundogs, Memphis RiverKings, Oklahoma City Blazers

CHL Marketing Franchise of the Year - Wichita Thunder

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which has best exemplified the qualities of excellence, creativity and imagination in the areas of promotion and marketing. Also named as Finalists: Arizona Sundogs, Oklahoma City Blazers, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

CHL Merchandising Franchise of the Year - Oklahoma City Blazers

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which has best exemplified excellence in the field of team merchandise. Also named as Finalists: Arizona Sundogs, Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, Colorado Eagles

CHL Ticket Sales Franchise of the Year - Colorado Eagles

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League ticketing department that demonstrates the highest level of efficiency, productivity and creativity over the course of the season. Also named as Finalists: Oklahoma City Blazers, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, Wichita Thunder

CHL Corporate Partnership Sales Executive of the Year - Brent Thiessen, Arizona Sundogs

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League executive who has best demonstrated excellence and leadership in the area of Corporate Partnership Sales. Also named as Finalists: DeBray Ayala (Oklahoma City Blazers), Summer Barrera (Laredo Bucks), Gavin Riches (Colorado Eagles)

CHL Group Ticket Sales Franchise of the Year - Rocky Mountain Rage

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise that generates the highest overall group ticket revenue over the course of the season. Also named as Finalists: Oklahoma City Blazers, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, Wichita Thunder

CHL Ticketing Executive of the Year - Jennifer Sides, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League ticketing executive that demonstrates the highest level of efficiency, productivity and creativity over the course of the season. Also named as Finalists: Chris Augusto (Colorado Eagles), Joe Greene (Wichita Thunder), Keith Moore (Laredo Bucks)

CHL Soul of Service Award - Ralph Backstrom, Colorado Eagles

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League executive who has best demonstrated the qualities of excellence and dedication to providing outstanding customer service. Also named as Finalists: Ray Edwards (New Mexico Scorpions), Bob Hoffman (Youngstown SteelHounds), Monty Hoppel (Odessa Jackalopes)

CHL Communications Executive of the Year - Josh Bogorad, Corpus Christi Rayz

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League public relations executive who best exemplifies the qualities of excellence and professionalism in the public relations field. Also named as Finalists: Patrick Armstrong (Colorado Eagles), Rich Bocchini (Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees), Josh Evans (Oklahoma City Blazers)

CHL Broadcaster of the Year - Jim Erickson, Memphis RiverKings

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League broadcaster who best exemplifies the qualities of excellence and professionalism in the broadcasting field. Also named as Finalists: Rich Bocchini (Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees), Josh Bogorad (Corpus Christi Rayz), Tori Holt (Colorado Eagles)

Global Entertainment Corporation Awards

Employee of the Year - Curtis Valentine, Director of Business Operations, Central Hockey League

Business Unit of the Year - GetTix Ticketing

Encore Facility Management Awards

Newcomer of the Year - Tommy Scott, Executive Director, Santa Ana Star Center (Rio Rancho, NM)

Salesperson of the Year - David Sacchetti, Corporate Sales Manager, Tim's Toyota Center (Prescott Valley, AZ)

Event Center of the Year - Tim's Toyota Center (Prescott Valley, AZ)

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Central Hockey League Stories from June 18, 2007


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