Commissioner Brosal to end tenure with UHL
Published on February 8, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2) News Release
LAKE ST. LOUIS, MO --- The United Hockey League (UHL) announced Tuesday that Richard Brosal, UHL President/CEO, has accepted a position as the Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing for B2 Networks and will depart the UHL following the 2006-07 season.
"On behalf of the UHL Board of Governors, we express our gratitude for the passion and efforts that Richard has displayed over the past ten seasons," stated Paul L. Pickard, UHL Chairman of the Board. "We look forward to working with Richard the rest of this season and have asked him to stay on in an advisory role upon the completion of this season. He will play an integral role in the search for a replacement, which will begin immediately. We thank Richard for his leadership and wish him continued success in his new endeavor."
Brosal, 47, joined the UHL in March of 1997. He currently has the longest tenure of any commissioner in 'AA' professional hockey.
"It is with a heavy heart that I will be leaving the league after over ten years," stated Richard Brosal. "The time I have spent working in this industry is something that I will always cherish. In my new position, I will continue to be involved with hockey, so I am excited about this new chapter in my career."
"I want to thank the UHL owners along with the players and staffs of each club for giving me such an honor of leading them for the past ten seasons. I will continue to work diligently over the next four months of this season leading up to a Colonial Cup presentation at the conclusion of the playoffs."
Under his guidance, the UHL has prospered on and off the ice. Corporate sponsorships have shown tremendous growth and relationships with other professional leagues, including the National Hockey League (NHL), have continued to strengthen.
In Brosal's first season, the league adopted its current name, UHL, from what was formerly known as the Colonial Hockey League (CoHL). The change would better show the direction that the league was going. That season also brought the inaugural UHL All-Star Classic which was played in Port Huron, Michigan. The game featured the best of the UHL vs. the Canadian National Team. UHL All-Stars would also square-off with the Canadian National Team the next season.
The following year, the league set an all-time season attendance record as over 1.44 million fans attended regular season and playoff games. In 1999-2000, the league would break that mark as over two million fans saw UHL action. That season would also be the first time that UHL players faced each other in the midseason All-Star Classic. The West squad defeated the East by the score of 7-3. A total of eight All-Star games have been played under the guidance of Brosal.
Brosal has led multiple marketing efforts on behalf of the league. The UHL website has become an affiliate of the NHL.com network and currently receives well over one million hits per month. For the past three seasons, UHL action has been viewed around the world through a partnership with B2 Networks. Fans can view nearly every UHL game live on their computers.
On the ice, teams and players have enjoyed great success during Brosal's tenure. Hundreds of players have earned call-ups to the American Hockey League (AHL) and several players, coaches, and team personnel have advanced to the NHL.
Brosal has spearheaded expansion opportunities during the past ten years. Seven of the ten current UHL Member Clubs have joined the league under his leadership. Attendance continues to reach new marks as the league welcomed its 20 millionth fan this season.
Several proactive policies and procedures have been implemented during the tenure of Brosal. League rules have helped form a balance of young developing players along with experienced veteran players to give the league a high level of play that is enjoyed today.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 8, 2007
- Paul Gillis Takes Reins As Jackals New Head Coach - Elmira Jackals
- Third diamond found at U.S. Cellular Coliseum - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Mallards Announce Results of Phone Card Drive - Quad City Mallards
- Commissioner Brosal to end tenure with UHL - IHL 2
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