National Hockey League Promotes CHL Referees
Published on August 24, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
Central Hockey League Referee Frederick L'Ecuyer is now an employee of the National Hockey League, hired earlier this week as an NHL Minor League Referee. The 29-year old Quebec native is expected to work full time in the American Hockey League during the coming season of play, with the ultimate goal of working in the NHL. L'Ecuyer has been among the top officials within the CHL for each of the past four seasons, selected to work in the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals each of the past three campaigns while also tabbed to officiate the 2005 All-Star Game in Laredo, Texas. L'Ecuyer has previously worked numerous AHL games throughout his CHL career, and is only one of two young officials the NHL has hired this summer as an NHL Minor League Referee. L'Ecuyer is expected to get his first NHL experience during pre-season play.
In related news, former CHL Referee Gord Dwyer was recently promoted by the NHL to full time status for the coming season, one of only two Referees being hired on a full time basis for 06-07. A product of Halifax, Nova Scotia, 29-year old Dwyer began his professional officiating career in the CHL's 2001-2002 season, working two years, including the 2003 Ray Miron President's Cup Finals, before being hired by the NHL. Dwyer worked his first NHL game on November 19th, 2005, and split last season between the AHL and NHL.
The CHL will begin celebration of its 15th season of play on October 20th, 2006, welcoming three clubs joining the League in new state-of-the-art arenas for the 2006-2007 season. The expansion Arizona Sundogs (Prescott Valley Convention & Events Center) and Rocky Mountain Rage (Broomfield Event Center) will open new facilities this fall along with the New Mexico Scorpions, returning from a one year hiatus in conjunction with the opening of the Santa Ana Star Center. The CHL has led all of 'AA' professional hockey in average attendance for the past five consecutive seasons of play.
Global Entertainment Corporation (AMEX: GEE) is the parent company of WPHL, Inc., operators of the Central Hockey League, and one of six subsidiaries of Global Entertainment, an integrated events and entertainment company focused on mid-size communities, that is engaged in sports management, arena and related real estate development, facility and venue management and marketing, venue ticketing and brand licensing.
Central Hockey League Stories from August 24, 2006
- Rage Secures Local Product - Rocky Mountain Rage
- National Hockey League Promotes CHL Referees - CHL
- Thunder Dance Team tryouts this weekend - Wichita Thunder
- Bucks Ink Canadian Pair - Laredo Bucks
- Blazers Top Goal Scorer Returns - Oklahoma City Blazers
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