IceGators name Brian Kelley general manager
May 19, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, LA â The ECHL's Louisiana IceGators named Brian Kelley general manager. Kelley was introduced at a Monday afternoon press conference at the Cajundome and will begin his new position with the Ice Gators the first week of June. He has served as the chief financial officer for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League for the past three years.
"Speaking with (ECHL President) Brian McKenna, and then with (Gator Play, LLC representative) John Lingo, I was very impressed with the ownership group's enthusiasm and excitement," said Kelley. "I view it as a tremendous challenge to try and take something that was once at the pinnacle of the ECHL, and to get it back to where it rightly belongs. It's a great opportunity that I couldn't pass up as well as a chance to help John and the ownership group bring their vision of the IceGators organization to reality."
"I think we're very fortunate to bring this gentleman that has experience at a higher level on board," said Lingo, whose group completed the purchase earlier this month. "He said he loves a challenge and he's got it. Having a degree in accounting from Notre Dame and being a CPA, he definitely has the credentials to head this team in a positive direction."
The 32-year old New Jersey native was the first employee hired in Bridgeport in 2000 for the start-up franchise. In addition to his duties as CFO, Kelley was the Sound Tigers' liaison to both the New York Islanders and the Arena at Harbor Yard management team while also overseeing the game night operations, communication and broadcasting departments. Kelley is no stranger to the ECHL having served as General Manager for the Mississippi Sea Wolves from 1998-2000. During his tenure in Mississippi, the Sea Wolves won the 1999 Kelly Cup Championship. Kelley also has professional hockey experience with the ECHL's Hampton Roads Admirals, where he was the director of business operations from 1996-1998. The Admirals won the 1998 Kelly Cup Championship.
Kelley's sister, Julie, has lived in Lafayette for the past six years. "On the personal side, completely separate from the business challenge, it will be a thrill for my wife and I and our children to be close to Julie and her husband Mac," said Kelley. He and his wife, Mary, have two children â three-year-old Ryan and two-year-old Katie.
"I think the key is that the community is waiting for us to court them, and we have to work hard to go out and remind them how important the IceGators are to the community," said Kelley. "We are indeed going to work hard and put a lot of effort into everything we do, our focus will be to service our fans and the Lafayette community both on and off the ice."
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