Scorpions Announce Sale Agreement

February 2, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


ALBUQUERQUE – W.D. "Doug" Frank, President/Chief Executive Officer of the New Mexico Scorpions professional hockey team, announced today that he has reached a preliminary agreement to sell the franchise to William M. Dutton. Terms of the agreement, which is subject to approval by the Central Hockey League Board of Governors, will not be disclosed.

The Scorpions were a charter member of the Western Professional Hockey League in 1996, and have played at Tingley Coliseum, which is located at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque, since their inception. Frank has owned the team since 2001, when the WPHL and CHL merged to form one league.

"Since I first purchased this team four years ago, my vision has been to grow the sport of hockey here in Albuquerque and all of New Mexico," said Frank. "I adamantly believe we have done that, and now the next step to progress forward is for the team to have a new venue to call home. Today's agreement is the best way for that to happen.

"My idea from the outset of the pursuit of a new arena is still to have a role in the team, whether or not I am the majority owner. This team will continue to operate as it has under my watch, both now and in the future."

Dutton is President of PDG America, a commercial real estate development and acquisition firm, and is also an entrepreneur involved in application of web-based technologies such as Music.com and Dynamiccampaign.net.

"I am excited at this opportunity to continue to grow the sport of hockey here in New Mexico," said Dutton. "Doug Frank has done a great job over the past four years with the Scorpions, and I know that I have big shoes to fill. I am thrilled to be leading this franchise forward to bigger and better things, including a new venue in the region for the Scorpions to call home in the next few years."

The Scorpions are back in action at Tingley Coliseum this Friday, Feb. 4 against the Amarillo Gorillas and Saturday, Feb. 5 against the San Angelo Saints. Both games start at 7:05 p.m., and Saturday's game is Roman Meal Youth Jersey Night. The first 1,500 kids age 14 and under through the doors will receive a free Scorpions youth jersey courtesy of Roman Meal. Both games will be broadcast on Sports Radio 610 The Sports Animal (KNML-AM) and on the Internet at www.scorpionshockey.com and www.broadcastmonsters.com beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Voice of the Scorpions Mike Sheehan.

Tickets for all Scorpions regular season home games are available at the Scorpions Team Store, located at 6300 San Mateo NE at the corner of San Mateo and Academy in the Far North Shopping Center, and any TicketMaster outlet. Single-game tickets start as low as $11.

Ten-game packages and Scorpions voucher books are available starting at $110. For more information, call the Scorpions office at (505) 881-PUCK (7825).



Central Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2005


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