CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Named Most Improved Franchise At CHL Conference

Published on June 18, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS --- The Memphis RiverKings' turnaround on and off the ice in the 2006-2007 season grabbed the attention of Central Hockey League officials. This past weekend at the league's summer conference in Phoenix, AZ, the organization was named the CHL's Most Improved Franchise of the Year. It was one of many awards that were handed out by the league at the awards banquet that closed out the four day conference on Saturday night.

The CHL's Most Improved Franchise Award is "presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which best demonstrates the largest overall improvement in all facets of operation over the course of the season."

On the ice in 2006-07, the RiverKings improved by 17 wins and 35 points from the 05-06 campaign and qualified for CHL playoffs for the first time since 2003. In the attendance department, the organization saw an 18 percent overall attendance increase, the fifth largest increase among all minor-pro hockey teams in North America.

"We look forward to growing on this award as this is just a small step in the direction we want to take," RiverKings Director of Business Operations Dave Mattice said. "I am proud of our staff in the work they have done. A lot of credit also has to be given to our owner Maddox Foundation and Robin Costa for giving us the resources and to Kevin McClelland for icing a good team and instilling the winning team attitude on and off the ice."

In other awards, the RiverKings' Jim Erickson was named the Broadcaster of the Year while the team was also nominated for Game Operations Franchise of the Year. The RiverKings were also mentioned as the inspiration for the creation of the Community Relations Franchise of the Year Award that went to the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

A complete list of CHL award winners is included below

Team governors also voted on and approved the following operational issues during the conference:

1) The CHL will retain the two conference, four division format used since the 2001-2002 season, with the Texas (formerly Fort Worth) Brahmas, back from a one year hiatus, joining the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, Memphis RiverKings and Youngstown SteelHounds in the Northeast Division. The Tulsa Oilers shift from the Northeast to the Northwest, forming the CHL's only five team division along with the Colorado Eagles, Oklahoma City Blazers, Rocky Mountain Rage and Wichita Thunder. The Austin Ice Bats, Corpus Christi Rayz, Laredo Bucks and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees will again comprise the Southeast Division, while the Southwest Division will feature the Amarillo Gorillas, Arizona Sundogs, New Mexico Scorpions and Odessa Jackalopes. The Lubbock Cotton Kings have been granted a suspension of operations for the 2007-2008 season.

2) The playoff format for the 2007-2008 season has also been modified, with the top five clubs from each conference qualifying. The #4 and #5 seeds in each conference will play an opening round best of three games series, with the winners advancing to the Conference Semifinal round along with the top three seeds. The Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals and Ray Miron President's Finals will each remain best of seven game formats. CHL clubs will also have the option of carrying a 19 man roster in the 2007-2008 season, with a maximum of 18 players participating each game.

2007 Summer Conference Awards Recipients & Finalists

CHL Franchise of the Year - Oklahoma City Blazers

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which best exemplifies operational excellence under the CHL system.

Also named as Finalists: Arizona Sundogs, Colorado Eagles, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, Wichita Thunder

CHL Leadership Award - Eric Lacroix, Arizona Sundogs

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise owner or governor who has most distinguished

himself in the area of franchise development and overall contributions to the CHL.

Also named as Finalists: Glenn Hart (Laredo Bucks), Brad Lund (Oklahoma City Blazers)

CHL Executive of the Year - Grant Buckborough, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League executive who best exemplifies the qualities of excellence and professionalism in a leadership role.

Also named as Finalists: Chris Presson (Wichita Thunder), Brent Thiessen (Arizona Sundogs)

CHL Most Improved Franchise of the Year - Memphis RiverKings

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which best demonstrates the largest overall improvement in all facets of operation over the course of the season.

Also named as Finalists: Odessa Jackalopes, Tulsa Oilers

CHL Community Relations Franchise of the Year - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which has best demonstrated commitment and excellence in the field of community relations.

Also named as Finalists: Arizona Sundogs, Colorado Eagles, Oklahoma City Blazers

CHL Game Operations Franchise of the Year - Laredo Bucks

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which has consistently produced the most entertaining and well planned in-arena events during the course of the season.

Also named as Finalists: Arizona Sundogs, Memphis RiverKings, Oklahoma City Blazers

CHL Marketing Franchise of the Year - Wichita Thunder

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which has best exemplified the qualities of excellence, creativity and imagination in the areas of promotion and marketing.

Also named as Finalists: Arizona Sundogs, Oklahoma City Blazers, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

CHL Merchandising Franchise of the Year - Oklahoma City Blazers

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which has best exemplified excellence in the field of team merchandise.

Also named as Finalists: Arizona Sundogs, Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, Colorado Eagles

CHL Ticket Sales Franchise of the Year - Colorado Eagles

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League ticketing department that demonstrates the highest level of efficiency, productivity and creativity over the course of the season.

Also named as Finalists: Oklahoma City Blazers, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, Wichita Thunder

CHL Corporate Partnership Sales Executive of the Year - Brent Thiessen, Arizona Sundogs

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League executive who has best demonstrated excellence and leadership in the area of Corporate Partnership Sales.

Also named as Finalists: DeBray Ayala (Oklahoma City Blazers), Summer Barrera (Laredo Bucks), Gavin Riches (Colorado Eagles)

CHL Group Ticket Sales Franchise of the Year - Rocky Mountain Rage

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise that generates the highest overall group ticket revenue over the course of the season.

Also named as Finalists: Oklahoma City Blazers, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, Wichita Thunder

CHL Ticketing Executive of the Year - Jennifer Sides, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League ticketing executive that demonstrates the highest level of efficiency, productivity and creativity over the course of the season.

Also named as Finalists: Chris Augusto (Colorado Eagles), Joe Greene (Wichita Thunder), Keith Moore (Laredo Bucks)

CHL Soul of Service Award - Ralph Backstrom, Colorado Eagles

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League executive who has best demonstrated the qualities of excellence and dedication to providing outstanding customer service.

Also named as Finalists: Ray Edwards (New Mexico Scorpions), Bob Hoffman (Youngstown SteelHounds), Monty Hoppel (Odessa Jackalopes)

CHL Broadcaster of the Year - Jim Erickson, Memphis RiverKings

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League broadcaster who best exemplifies the qualities of excellence and professionalism in the broadcasting field.

Also named as Finalists: Rich Bocchini (Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees), Josh Bogorad (Corpus Christi Rayz), Tori Holt (Colorado Eagles)

CHL Communications Executive of the Year - Josh Bogorad, Corpus Christi Rayz

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League public relations executive who best exemplifies the qualities of excellence and professionalism in the public relations field.

Also named as Finalists: Patrick Armstrong (Colorado Eagles), Rich Bocchini (Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees), Josh Evans (Oklahoma City Blazers)

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Central Hockey League Stories from June 18, 2007


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