Best of the WCHL Awards Announced

Published on April 9, 2002 under West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) News Release


Boise, Idaho - The West Coast Hockey League announced today the recipients of the 2002 Best of the WCHL Awards.

"It takes a great deal of behind the scenes work to build a successful hockey club and these awards are designed to recognize those efforts," said WCHL Acting Commissioner Adam Keller.

Member teams and staff were honored for exceptional performances during the 2001-02 season in a range of categories. The honorees for the 2001-02 season are:

BEST GAME PROGRAM

With a slick new look and sharp title, the Idaho Steelheads' Between the Lines was voted the WCHL's Best Game Program of 2001-02. The yearbook successfully connects fans with the team and its players. Top players answer questions about their careers and reveal tidbits of their personalities. Coach John Olver indulges readers with a candid one-on-one interview. And, topping it off is a centerfold surprise.a color poster of the 2000-01 Northern Division Championship team. The yearbook also includes the traditional program fare of game dates, promotions, statistics and a profile of each team in the WCHL.

BEST TV COMMERCIAL/AD CAMPAIGN

The Anchorage Aces captured their first Best of the WCHL Award in recognition of their two 15-second television commercials aimed at the casual hockey fan. The Aces' objective was to provide fans with a behind the scenes look at what games are all about. Sparks fly as the blade of a skate is finely sharpened, the searing flame of a blowtorch molds a stick and players methodically wrap tape around their blades. The spots capture the energy and excitement of players' pre-game rituals and on-ice performances.

BEST MERCHANDISE PROGRAM

With consistently strong sales and an all-new online store, the San Diego Gulls capture the Best Merchandise Program Award. Launched in 2002, the Gulls' web store offers fans a wide selection of its most popular merchandise. The site is fully operated by the team, including the processing and fulfillment of all orders. Sales during Gulls' games are robust- record numbers were sold at the team's first home game this season- and the stands are brightly colored in orange, blue and white.

This is the first season the WCHL has presented an award for merchandising and does so as a result of the league's increased popularity and the fervor which fans follow their favorite WCHL teams. As teams become increasingly entwined in their communities, merchandise sales continue to climb.

BEST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The West Coast Hockey League prides itself on being fan-oriented, accessible to all ranges of people and an integrated part of its communities. The Bakersfield Condors are this and so much more. The Best Community Development Program Award was bestowed upon the Condors organization for their unflagging commitment to the city of Bakersfield and its residents. During the 2001-02 season alone, the Bakersfield Condors donated more than $250,000 in cash, goods and merchandise to the community by participating with over 300 non-profit agencies and 100 schools.

The Bakersfield Condors are advocates and fundraisers for a wealth of worthwhile causes including education, book collections, blood drives, recycling, mentoring, D.A.R.E., Shriners Hospitals and the United Way.

The programs and efforts put forth by the Condors' staff and players are eagerly matched by their followers. Fans regularly answer the Condors' call for canned goods, eyeglasses, blankets, shoes, teddy bears and more, all to be donated to those in need.

BEST ON-ICE PROMOTION

This year two outstanding promotions captured fans' attention on the ice, generated record attendance numbers and brought in tremendous dollars for charity.

The Colorado Gold Kings' Ultimate Kids Day on March 8 brought throngs of children to the World Arena for the special matinee game. A season-best crowd of 6,830 attended the game, which opened with a center ice pep talk from fan-favorite Aaron Boh about working hard and staying in school.

Members of the Colorado Springs Police Department, Fire Department, SWAT Team, FBI and American Lung association spoke with students and handed out information on the concourse. The Army excited kids by bringing a Humvee and an Army truck into the arena for an up-close look.

In all, the Gold Kings sponsored more than 4,000 students from local schools. Each child received a ticket and a Gold Kings T-shirt. "It's about giving back to the community, .especially to our leaders of tomorrow," said Jeff Newman, Gold Kings General Manager.

Also recognized for an outstanding on-ice promotion is the Anchorage Aces. The second annual Guns-n-Hoses event February 16 raised $10,000 for the Anchorage chapter of the Red Cross and set fans on fire with a surprise appearance from NHL star Scott Gomez. An Anchorage native, Gomez played 40 minutes with both the police and fire department teams. Gomez added to the plethora of National Hockey League memorabilia being auctioned during the two contests with signed Police and Fire Dept. jerseys emblazoned with his name.

The first intermission began in dramatic fashion as the lights were cut out, police cars with flashing lights drove onto the ice and the police's C.I.R.T. team (Crisis Intervention and Response Team) rappelled down from the arena rafters. The K-9 unit raced onto the scene to subdue an out-of-control Bakersfield Condors fan that had made his way to the ice (policeman in a Bakersfield shirt).

The Fire Department's intermission featured an obstacle course and competitors dousing a blaze of candles. Concourse tables around the arena featured merchandise and information from the State Troopers, Fire Department, Police Department and American Red Cross.

BEST GAME PRESENTATION

The honor of Best Game Presentation is awarded to the WCHL's Fresno Falcons. From before the puck drops until after the last buzzer sounds, fans at Selland Arena are continually engaged by antics and activities.

The fun and excitement is palpable before the players even take to the ice. Pre-game entertainment includes live music outdoors, bounce houses and magicians. During stoppages of play, pizza is delivered to fans in their seats, flowers are given to the Sweetheart of the Game, and one lucky fan wins a free area rug.

Intermission entertainment runs the gamut from the ritual Chuck-a-Puck and Blimp coupon drop to the wacky "What's in the Box?" Dance for Your Dinner and cult favorite YMCA inspire fans to break out their best moves. The good, bad and ugly are all spotlighted on the jumbo video board for added entertainment. One might say that going to a Fresno Falcons game is crazy cross of Monty Hall's Let's Make a Deal meets the Gong Show. But whether the team is hot or not, fans file into Falcons games for the non-stop fun in the stands.

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West Coast Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2002


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