McLaughlin Joins Sound Tigers
July 24, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGEPORT, CT â The Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 2002 American Hockey League Eastern Conference Champions, announced today that Bill McLaughlin has been named the organization's director of communications and broadcaster. McLaughlin will serve as the team's day-to-day media contact, manage and perform community speaking engagements and team appearances, oversee the broadcast operations and serve as the play-by-play announcer for all radio and internet broadcasts.
"I am very excited about advancing to the American Hockey League so close to home with one of the best young teams in all of professional sports. It has been my goal to find an opportunity just like the one that awaits me in Bridgeport," said McLaughlin. "I look forward to the challenge of helping the Sound Tigers build upon a successful first season both on and off the ice."
"In order to attain our goal of increased presence in the surrounding communities of Fairfield and New Haven counties, it was essential to have a skilled, experienced representative to work with the local media, business and civic organizations in the market," said Brian Kelley, chief financial officer of the Sound Tigers. "Bill has the personality and professionalism to enhance our relationships and involvement with community and business entities through our region."
McLaughlin joins the Sound Tigers after two successful years as director of communications and public relations with ScheerSports, Inc. where he oversaw the day-to-day media efforts and broadcast operations and was the radio and television voice for the East Coast Hockey League's 2002 Kelly Cup Champion Greenville Grrrowl and arenafootball2's Carolina Rhinos. McLaughlin was also part of the broadcast team for NHL Radio's coverage of the 2001 ECHL All-Star Game and was recently named the League's 2001-2002 PR Director of the Year.
Prior to joining SheerSports, McLaughlin served five seasons, 1995-2000, as director of communications and media relations and voice of the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers working with current New York Islanders head coach Peter Laviolette and Sound Tigers equipment manager Vinny Ferraiuolo during the 1997-1998 season.
McLaughlin brings strong personal ties to the Bridgeport area. He was born in New York City and raised in nearby Brewster, New York. The 1986 graduate of Brewster High School will assume his duties beginning on August 5th and will be joined in Connecticut by his wife Gretchen and daughters Katie and Meghan before the start of the season.
The Sound Tigers 2002-2003 home opener will be on Saturday, October 12th at the Arena at Harbor Yard. That night the team will raise the first three championship banners in club history to recognize the team's inaugural season accomplishments that included the AHL's regular season championship, East Division championship and Eastern Conference title.
2002-2003 Sound Tiger season ticket packages and flex packs are on sale now. Fans can contact the Sound Tigers office at 203-334-GOAL (4625) or log on to soundtigers.com for more information.
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