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CHL's New Mexico Scorpions Announce New Ownership

January 24, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


Rio Rancho, NM (January 24, 2006) - The New Mexico Scorpions of the Central Hockey League have today introduced the new ownership group of the franchise. Scorpions Hockey Club, LLC, is a joint combination of veteran National Hockey League players and experienced business leaders including Dave Ellett, Brian Savage, David Dewar, Ken Losch and Robin Woolcox. A 16-year NHL veteran who spent the majority of his career with the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs, former defenseman Ellett retired in 2000 after recording 568 points in 1,129 career games. Savage is in his 13th year of NHL service, currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers. Dewar and Losch are the founders of Avenue Communities and Trillium Residential, successful condominium and apartment real estate development companies in Phoenix, Arizona. Woolcox has over 30 years of senior financial management experience within various industries, including real estate development. All members of the ownership group hail from Canada and have a strong drive and passion for the game of hockey.

"We have a diverse and comprehensively strong ownership group that is thrilled to lead this organization," said Ellett, a partner in Scorpions Hockey Club, LLC. "This is an extremely exciting time for the Central Hockey League and in particular for the New Mexico Scorpions as we prepare for our first season of play in the new Rio Ranch Events Center." Scorpions Head Coach Ray Edwards will remain with the club and is currently scouting and preparing for the 2006/2007 season of play. The Scorpions are also immediately looking to bolster their front office sales and marketing staff. "The Scorpions have always been highly committed to the community and we want to further develop that policy by embracing a highly energetic staff with ties to the Albuquerque area," said Ellett.

"Outgoing owner Doug Frank has laid a solid foundation for success and we thank him for his significant contributions to both the New Mexico Scorpions and the Central Hockey League," said CHL President Brad Treliving. "We are very pleased to welcome Scorpions Hockey Club, LLC to the CHL and fully expect their extensive professional hockey experience and business acumen to enhance what we already expect will be a successful first season of play in the new Rio Rancho Events Center."

"It is with mixed emotions that today I pass the baton to new ownership of this team, as my family and I have invested a great deal of time and energy into the New Mexico community and to growing the hockey team," said outgoing team owner Doug Frank. "We have greatly enjoyed our time with this team, and want to thank everyone in the community that has supported the Scorps over the years. I am excited to see what the future holds for New Mexico sports fans as the team takes the ice in the new Rio Rancho Events Center. You cannot choose this business without having a passion for the sport. The new franchise owners have a tremendous mix of experience in hockey and business, and given their background, I believe that all of our current and future fans will enjoy the next chapter of Scorpions Hockey."

In September 2005, the team officially moved their offices in preparation for their 2006-2007 return to the ice. The Scorpions offices are located at 4111 Barbara Loop SE Suite E-1 in Rio Rancho, NM, serving as a temporary home until completion of club offices within the currently under construction Rio Rancho Events Center, a state-of-the-art facility scheduled to open in the fall of 2006. The Scorpions enter the 2006/2007 with a career franchise mark of 327-222-46 in nine seasons of play from 1996/1997 through 2004/2005 at Albuquerque's Tingley Coliseum.

For additional information regarding the team or the Rio Rancho Events Center, including ticket and corporate partnership opportunities, please contact the Scorpions via either telephone at (505) 881-7825 or email at info@scorpionshockey.com. Joining the Scorpions for the 2006/2007 season are CHL expansion franchises in Broomfield, Colorado and Prescott Valley, Arizona, both playing out of new state-of-the-art facilities. The Central Hockey League is currently enjoying its 14th season of play, featuring 15 teams in seven states, and has led all North American "AA" leagues in average attendance for four consecutive seasons. In 13 previous years of operation, the CHL has welcomed 32,381,099 fans through 7,542 contests, averaging 4,293 fans per game.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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