WHL Portland Winterhawks

Doug Piper New President of Portland Winter Hawks

November 10, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Portland, Ore.-The Portland Winter Hawks today introduced sports operations and marketing professional and Oregonian Doug Piper as president of the franchise. In his more than 20 years' experience in sports management, Piper has worked for National Hockey League (NHL) and other major league franchises including the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Edmonton Oilers, and the Carolina Hurricanes. Piper's appointment follows a recent announcement of new ownership, coaching and management for the Winter Hawks.

"Doug Piper has a proven track record of successful business planning and marketing for major league franchises," said Winter Hawks Owner Bill Gallacher. "Doug's role as President of the franchise rounds out what is a skilled and dynamic management and coaching team for the Winter Hawks."

Piper, GM/Head Coach Mike Johnston, Assistant GM/Assistant Coach Travis Green and Athletic Trainer, Strength and Conditioning Coach Rich Campbell have a combined 41 years of NHL experience. Piper will report to Ken Stickney, President of Avenir Sports and Entertainment.

Piper has been credited with leading successful efforts to increase attendance and sponsorship sales for NHL franchises. While he served as Executive vice President of Business Operations/COO of the Edmonton Oilers from 1995 to 2000, season ticket sales doubled, and average attendance rose to 94 percent. Similarly, while serving as Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Carolina Hurricanes, Piper created marketing and business programs that doubled the season ticket base.

This month Gallacher outlined his priorities for the franchise including restoring the organization to profitability through strategic sponsorships and offering customers a top-notch entertainment product, as well as renewing a spirit of excitement and hometown pride in the Portland Winter Hawks. Piper will lead the charge on these priorities, in addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the franchise.

"Portland has a rich history as a city that loves and celebrates hockey," said Piper. "There is tremendous potential to re-energize the Winter Hawks' fan base and I am excited to be a part of the organization."

Piper owns SRO Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in sports marketing, sponsorship sales and broadcast. Born and raised in Oregon, Doug and his wife, Faith, and their two children, son Frank, 16, and daughter Quinn, 15, reside in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

The 2008-2009 season marks the 33rd year the Winter Hawks have operated in Portland. One of Portland's premiere sport franchises, the Winter Hawks moved from Edmonton to Portland in 1976 and in doing so became the first U.S. based franchise in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Today, the Winter Hawks are one of the most decorated franchises in the history of the Canadian Hockey League with four Memorial Cup appearances; two Memorial Cup National Championships (1983, 1998); two Western Hockey League titles (1982, 1998) and a combined 22 championship banners. A total of 98 players have graduated from the Winter Hawks to the NHL including current and former NHL Stars Braydon Coburn, Adam Deadmarsh, Brandon Dubinsky, Paul Gaustad, Marian Hossa, Brenden Morrow, Cam Neely, and Glen Wesley.

For more information, ticket sales or sponsorship opportunities, visit the Portland Winter Hawks online at www.winterhawks.com or by phone at 503-238-6366.

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 10, 2008


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