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Iguanas Make Presence Known at CHL Meetings

June 7, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
San Antonio Iguanas News Release


PHOENIX, AZ...The Central Hockey League's 2002 Spring Conference concluded with the San Antonio Iguanas receiving several honors recognizing their achievements throughout the 2001-02 regular season. Taking home awards for the Iggys were General Manager Rick Carden who was named the CHL's Executive of the Year, Director of Communications Bob Hoffman who received the award for the CHL's Public Relations Executive of the Year and the Iguanas Game Operations staff, headed by Assistant General Manager Shannon Julian, who received praise for having the CHL's top game promotions and presentation.

Carden was named the Iguanas General Manager last July and made strides in establishing the team as one of the top franchises in the Central Hockey League. The Iguanas franchise success came both on and off the ice as the team qualified for the post season earning 88 points with a 40-16-8 record. In the stands, the Iguanas had their attendance increase by close to eight percent as they finished third in the 16-team CHL with a 4,733 per game average. The Iggys also enjoyed increased totals in season tickets and group sales.

"I am very surprised to receive such an honor and am proud to be a part of such a successful group in the CHL," said Carden. "I have a terrific staff that has worked very diligently throughout the course of the past year and are a determined bunch that will look at the bench mark they have set and will stop at nothing to exceed those high expectations set forth by myself and their peers in the hockey world."

Carden also gave credit to a former winner of the award and his mentor during his time in Odessa with the Jackalopes hockey team, Monty Hoppel.

"I owe Monty a lot as he has showed me from top to bottom what a first class organization is all about and I feel we have begun setting the stage for the Iguanas to be considered the elite of the Central Hockey League from an organizational standpoint joining the likes of Odessa, Oklahoma City and Fort Worth."

Hoffman also joined the Iguanas last season. He beat out Fort Worth's Jeff Bowerman and Oklahoma City's Josh Evans who were also named finalists for the award.

"I work with a great group in the Iguanas office and also work with a great group of colleagues amongst my fellow media directors in the CHL," said Hoffman. "There are tremendous and knowledgeable men and women that do great jobs for their respective franchises and they all deserve credit, but I'd like to especially recognize Jeff (Bowerman) and Josh (Evans) who are the cream of the crop in the Central Hockey League."

The Iguanas game night staff certainly set themselves apart as the standard in the Central Hockey League throughout the course of the 2001-02 season. Led by Shannon Julian, the group dazzled with a state-of-the-art pre-game presentation and entertaining intermission activities that drew compliments throughout the season from other CHL teams, the CHL front office and fans.

"The game night operation's staff and I take pride in knowing that on any given night some fan will be experiencing Iguanas hockey for the first time. Premium performances by guys such as Tom Walbran, Mike and Gene Serene and Andy Luna make it easy and reassuring that an intense experience will be had by all," said Julian.

The Iguanas also received recognition as finalists for the Merchandising Team of the Year (won by Odessa) and the Group Sales Team of the Year (won by Oklahoma City).

Carden recognizes the dedication the Iguanas sales staff has in providing outstanding customer service and pushing the team to the forefront of the hockey world.

"Our staff including Ben Broido, Mike Diaz, Chad Therrien, Crissy Garcia, Kit Preston, Stu Paul and Tiffany Johnson have done a tremendous job with their sales and promotions and are looking forward to an exciting, historical and challenging season ahead."

The Central Hockey League also held their expansion draft for their 17th and newest franchise, the Laredo Bucks. The draft by new Bucks head coach Terry Ruskowski saw the Iguanas lose defenseman Matt Van Horlick. The 25-year old native of Kamloops, British Columbia played in 63 games with the Iguanas last season scoring six goals and adding nine assists while registering 185 penalty minutes. Van Horlick finished tied for second on the Iguanas with a +27 plus/minus rating.

"I am sorry that we are only able to carry five veterans," said Iguanas Head Coach Chris Stewart. "Matt was a very hard working player that was very productive for us and along with Jeff Parrott as his defense mate really gave us a steady solid defensive presence on the blue line. Laredo has gained a great character guy that I know the organization and fans will love to cheer for."

Along with Van Horlick, Lubbock goaltender Lance Leslie, Bossier-Shreveport forward Luke Earl, Oklahoma City defenseman Mitch Ahearn and Memphis defenseman J.F. Picard were taken by the Bucks as the first members of their hockey team.

The Bucks will compete in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference along with the Iguanas, Austin Ice Bats, Corpus Christi IceRays and San Angelo Outlaws.

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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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