ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Chapman Named ECHL Executive of the Year

Published on June 20, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The ECHL announced on Tuesday that Gladiators President and General Manager Steve Chapman is the 2005-06 winner of the ECHL Executive of the Year Award. Chapman was presented with the award, which is determined annually by a vote of ECHL Governors, at the Annual Board of Governors Meeting held Thursday and Friday in Las Vegas.

It is the second consecutive season that Chapman has won the award. He was named the ECHL Executive of the year for the 2004-05 season helping the Gladiators increase average attendance over 20 percent from the Gladiators inaugural season.

"I was very pleased to be nominated for the second year in a row but after receiving this award last season, I am extremely honored to be recognized again this year" said Chapman. "In fact, I am more proud of the award this year because I think it shows that our organization is held in high esteem around the league."

The Gladiators advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time ever in 2006 and have reached the Kelly Cup Playoffs every season since relocating to Gwinnett in 2003-04. The Gladiators have been a fixture in suburban Atlanta, making contributions to community, school and charitable organizations.

A runner-up for the award in 2003-04, Chapman is president and general manager of the Gladiators as well as a partner in Gwinnett County Hockey, LLC the ownership entity of the team. He is responsible for overseeing all business and hockey operations for the ECHL team which is an affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers of the National Hockey League and the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.

Chapman began his sports management career in 1992 as a sales executive with the Birmingham Bulls Professional Hockey Club, rising to assistant general manager in 1993. In 1995, he accepted the challenge of bringing minor league hockey to Mobile, Alabama as general manager. He played an integral role in bringing professional hockey to the Gwinnett area, working with both county and ECHL officials to launch the Gladiators.

The Gwinnett Gladiators open their fourth season as a proud member of the ECHL in October of 2006 - season tickets are on sale now. In addition, the Gladiators offer several unique multi-game ticket packages as well as discounted group rates, suite rentals, and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.

The Gladiators are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers and play all home games at the spectacular 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, where parking is always free.

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