ECHL Launches ECHL.com Network

October 15, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release

The ECHL.com Network will include ECHL.com, the official web site of the ECHL, and 20 ECHL teams (Bakersfield, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Columbia, Dayton, Florence, Florida, Fresno, Greenville, Idaho, Johnstown, Long Beach, Pensacola, Peoria, Reading, Roanoke, South Carolina, Texas and Toledo).

The ECHL.com Network navigation bar will be placed at the top of each participating team's web site. The navigation bar features rotating banners that will increase awareness of ECHL programs and contests, including the "Win A Trip To The 2003 Par-A-Dice/ECHL All-Star Game" contest.

"The widespread exposure provided by the ECHL.COM Network will allow the league to consistently brand our message, while directly communicating with and educating ECHL fans on the latest news, partner offers, and league programs," said Glen Thornborough, ECHL Vice President of Sales/Marketing. "It is an initiative that is unprecedented in the minor leagues and we are hoping for participation from all teams in the near future."

The rotating banners will be administrated by the ECHL with changes taking effect immediately throughout the network.

"As a member of the NHL.com Network, the ECHL understands the value that an internet network can deliver in terms of extending its brand across all its club sites while uniformly informing fans of league initiatives and special offers," said Rich Libero, Vice President Editorial & Production, NHL.com. "This is a big step for the ECHL, its clubs and, of course, ECHL fans."

The navigation bar also has a pull-down menu for ECHL.com, giving ECHL fans links to tickets, the ECHL Store, Fan Mail, Fan VIP, Scores, Par-A-Dice/ECHL All-Star Game, Statistics, Schedule, Jobs, and Press Releases as well as well as a pull-down menu with all of the teams on the ECHL.com Network.

The navigation bar features the logos of ECHL corporate partners DirecTV, NHL Center Ice, CCM, JOFA and KOHO with links to their respective web sites. It also has a pull-down menu for "ECHL Partners" with links to Arlington Capital, Dewhirst Design, HOK Sports & Venue, ITECH, Meigray Group, OT Sports, SP Apparel, Sher-Wood, Sun National Bank and The Hockey Company.

ECHL teams will continue to select their own web site developers and web site hosts while ECHL.com will continue to deliver fans complete coverage of the ECHL, including up-to-the-minute scores, news, feature stories, standings, statistics, and award winners. ECHL.com averages almost 4,000 unique visitors and nearly 25,000 page views daily.

A member of the NHL.com Network for the third consecutive year, ECHL.com is hosted by GKG Sports Network (www.gkg.net). GKG Sports Network is a complete resource for the sports enthusiast, providing complete statistical analysis, sports news and web site development for sports organizations.

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from October 15, 2003

• Weaver Returns, Official Opening Day Roster Includes Eight Rookies - Fresno Falcons
• Season-opener will be on K-Rock 107.9 FM - Louisiana IceGators
• First East vs. West ECHL Meeting Friday - ECHL
• Cooke's Back - Bakersfield Condors
• Steelheads Announce Opening Day Roster - Idaho Steelheads
• Calgary Flames Send Two to Wranglers - Lowell Assigns One to Las Vegas - Las Vegas Wranglers
• Eagles Announce Roster - Colorado Eagles
• 2003-04 Bullies Unveiled - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
• Lynx Release Roster For Opening Night - Augusta Lynx
• Toledo Storm add another defenseman - Toledo Walleye
• Grrrowl Trade Defenseman to Toledo - Greenville Grrrowl
• Zydlo Moves On, O'Brien Steps In - Trenton Devils
• Opening Night Roster Announcement Starts Party with the Pack - Mississippi Sea Wolves
• Kam White Traded to Atlantic City for Future Considerations - Pensacola Ice Pilots
• Generals Sign Hard-Shooting Ftorek - Greensboro Generals
• IceGators announce 2003-04 roster - Louisiana IceGators
• Chiefs Announce Opening Day Roster - Johnstown Chiefs
• Packing Some Punch - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
• The Return of Rivard - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
• Pride Set Opening Roster - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
• Clones Acquire Ryan Brindley - Cincinnati Cyclones
• Cyclones Head Back to School - Cincinnati Cyclones
• Grrrowl Finalize 2003-04 Roster - Greenville Grrrowl
• Bill Scott Hired As Coordinator of Hockey Operations for ECHL - ECHL
• ECHL Launches ECHL.com Network - ECHL
• Jacques and Fleenor Return to the Storm - Toledo Walleye
• Alaska Aces to Hold Practice and Autograph Session in Eagle River - Alaska Aces
• Lynx To Name New General Manager Thursday - Augusta Lynx

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.