Boardwalk Bullies Name Belisle Vice-President and General Manager

Published on June 3, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the ECHL named Dan Belisle Vice-President and General Manager, it was announced today by Bullies Executive Vice-President and Governor Sam Russo. Belisle joins Atlantic City after spending the last six seasons with the New Orleans Brass, including the last four as Vice-President and General Manager.

Belisle's duties with the Bullies will include supervising all business operations, including ticket sales, marketing, public and media relations, and finance, and managing a full-time front office staff of 10.

Belisle performed similar duties under the same title with the Brass from 1999-03 after his promotion from Assistant General Manager and Assistant Coach of the New Orleans club from 1997-99.

"I am very excited about joining the Bullies organization," remarked the newly-appointed Belisle. "I look forward to the challenge of matching the team's on-ice success with our business operations."

Belisle originally joined the Atlantic City organization in April of 2003, during the Bullies' Kelly Cup Playoff Championship run, as a consultant to the team's senior management and ownership.

"Our goal from the very beginning has been to make the Bullies a success for Atlantic City and the surrounding communities," commented the team's owner George Shinn, who also owns the NBA's New Orleans Hornets. "We believe that Dan brings a great deal of experience, leadership, and hockey and business know-how to our organization and he will contribute to the improvement of the Bullies' success here in Atlantic City."

With the Brass, Belisle helped the team qualify for the postseason each year, earning an overall win percentage of .554, assisted in increasing overall attendance by 24%, and was a driving force behind the team that twice set a team record and a State of Louisiana record for the largest crowd to watch a professional hockey game.

Prior to joining the Brass, Belisle worked as Director of Hockey Operations/Head Coach for the Dayton Ice Bandits of the United Hockey League (formerly known as the Colonial Hockey League) from 1996-97 and Director of Hockey Operations/Head Coach of the Jacksonville Bullets of the Southern Hockey League from 1995-96.

The California native who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Canada spent seven years in the North American Junior Hockey League with the Detroit Junior Red Wings (1 year), Kalamazoo Junior K-Wings (4 years), and the Indianapolis Junior Ice (2 years). Belisle earned a career regular season record of 161-103-29 (.599 win percentage) and a career playoff record of 23-15 (.605 win percentage) in the NAHL.

The 39-year old Belisle won NAHL Championships in 1991 and 1993 with Kalamazoo, and in 1994, was named General Manager of the Year while guiding Indianapolis.

Born with hockey in his genes, Belisle's father, Dan Belisle, Sr. has worked for the National Hockey League Detroit Red Wings for more than 20 years, earning three Stanley Cup championships in 1997, 1998, and 2002.

Prior to joining the Wings, the senior Belisle guided the NHL's Washington Capitals in 1978-79.

Dan Belisle, Jr., is the second General Manager for the Atlantic City Hockey Club. He replaces former GM Matthew Loughran who was relieved of his duties with the team yesterday.

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