A CHL Primer
by John Gary
December 18, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
OurSports Central contributor John Gary recently interviewed Central Hockey League Vice President of Communications Steve Cherwonak to get his thoughts on the CHL's present and future.
Q: How long has the CHL been in existence?
A: The CHL as it exists today has been in existence since the 1992/1993 season, when play began with six member teams. In May of 2001, the Central and Western Professional Hockey Leagues merged, forming a 16-team organization with the most successful franchises of the two previously separate leagues.
Q: Some of the minor hockey leagues feed players to the so called major minors otherwise known as the AHL while others feed players directly to the NHL which category does your league fall in?
A: Players from the CHL advance first to the American Hockey League, then to to National Hockey League should they earn promotion, as our Rookie of the Year last season (Goaltender Sebastien Centomo from Memphis) did by joining the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs. We have developed 8 NHL affiliations at this point, and will continue to develop more wherever possible.
Q: Does the CHL have expansion plans in the works?
A: Absolutely. We have two new clubs slated to join the Central Hockey League next season, including the Colorado Eagles and a to-be-named team in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas (since named the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees â ed.). Both teams will play in outstanding new facilities, and the Rio Grande Valley team name and logo will be announced December 11th.
Q: Who are some of the CHL's top stars?
A: Memphis RW Don Parsons, who earned both regular season and playoff MVP honors last season en route to the President's Cup Championship.
Oklahoma City RW Joe Burton, who has scored over 500 career goals with the Blazers.
Odessa goaltender Mike Gorman, who earned CHL Most Outstanding Goaltender honors with the Jackalopes last season.
Q: Do you anticipate making your league more visible through radio and television deals on a national basis in the future?
A: National television deals are extremely difficult at the minor league level of any sport. Our focus remains on developing local and regional efforts to best promote the Central Hockey League.
The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2002
- A CHL Primer - OSC Original by John Gary
- Oilers Food and Coat Drive This Weekend - Tulsa Oilers
- Saints Forced to Switch Veteran Forwards - San Angelo Saints
- Brahmas road losing streak swells to seven games - Fort Worth Brahmas
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
