CHL's Austin Ice Bats Complete Sale
July 3, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Central Hockey League has today announced the completion of a sale of the Austin Ice Bats franchise at a Press Conference at the historic Driskell Hotel in downtown Austin. Representatives of the new ownership, officially titled Capital Hockey Ventures, were introduced to a throng of media representatives and fans Wednesday afternoon.
Heading up the new ownership group is President and CEO Jeff Buch, with over ten years of experience in the professional sports industry. As Vice President of Sports Partnerships for First USA Bank, a Bank One Company, Buch was responsible for analyzing and procuring hundreds of corporate partnership opportunities from major and minor league sports teams throughout North America. A native of Los Angeles, Buch is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, and also previously served as Director of Advertising Sales with the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars.
Joining Buch with the Ice Bats is Norman N. Green, serving as Co-owner and Advisory Board Member. A veteran of hockey ownership at its very highest level, Green is a former co-owner of the NHL Atlanta and Calgary Flames, and is the original owner of the Dallas Stars, claiming professional hockey's highest honor in 1989 when Calgary earned the Stanley Cup. During his tenure in the NHL, Green was a member of the Board of Governors, and served as Vice-Chairman of the League's Expansion Committee and Chairman of the Marketing and Public Relations Committee.
"We are thrilled with our acquisition of the Ice Bats," Buch said. "The Austin area has been, and continues to be a great hockey market filled with potential. We believe that, with the help of our many fans, we can use our marketing experience to continue to improve ticket sales, work to further benefit our corporate partners, and bring a President's Cup championship to Austin.
"First and foremost, the Central Hockey League wishes to thank former ownership K&J Ice, and in particular John McVaney, for their commitment and diligence in maintaining the strong tradition of Ice Bats hockey in Austin," said CHL President Brad Treliving. "We are very pleased to welcome Capital Hockey Ventures into the CHL family, and believe their experience, vision and commitment will continue the development of the Ice Bats as one of the top franchises in our organization.
The Ice Bats enter their eight season of play this coming October, and their third since the May, 2001 merger between the Central and Western Professional Hockey Leagues. The Ice Bats claimed the Governors' Cup (regular season championship) in the 2002-2003 season, posting a record of 46-14-4, and reached the President's Cup Finals for the second consecutive season.
The Central Hockey League begins its' 12th season of play this fall with 17 teams in eight states, and is the only minor pro hockey league in North America to show consecutive attendance increases the past two seasons, finishing with an average per-game attendance of 4,401 in 2002-2003.
*Note: The Austin Ice Bats contributed significantly to the content of this release
Central Hockey League Stories from July 3, 2003
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- Three Rookies Earn Halos - San Angelo Saints
- CHL's Austin Ice Bats Complete Sale - Austin Ice Bats
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