Scorpions owner honored at CHL Meetings

Published on June 9, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


ALBUQUERQUE – The Central Hockey League held its annual Spring Conference and Banquet this past weekend in Phoenix, Ariz., and New Mexico Scorpions owner Doug Frank was presented with the inaugural CHL Leadership Award. The CHL Leadership Award will be presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise owner who has most distinguished himself in the area of franchise development and overall contributions to the CHL.

Frank is entering his fourth season as owner of the Scorpions. He has also owned the CHL's Corpus Christi Rayz for the past 18 months. Under his direction, the Scorpions have seen large increases in season ticket sales and corporate sponsorship. He has also added many different aspects to the fan experience both at Tingley Coliseum and in the greater Albuquerque community since purchasing the team.

"I am very flattered that the league and my peers would honor me in that way," said Frank. "I'm just trying to do what's best for my franchises and the CHL."

"Doug Frank continues to be one of the Central Hockey League's most highly respected owners," said CHL President Brad Treliving, "and his passion for both the business and sport of hockey is unsurpassed. The Central Hockey League is extremely pleased to honor Doug Frank as the first-ever recipient of the CHL Leadership Award."

Scorpions front office members were finalists for two other awards. Director of Business Development Phil Valk was a finalist for Ticketing Executive of the Year, while Director of Communications Mike Sheehan was a finalist for Public Relations Executive of the Year.

In other news, the Scorpions will remain in the Northwest Division of the Northern Conference for the second straight season, joined this year by returnees Colorado and Wichita along with newcomer Topeka (Kan.), which moved from Indianapolis earlier this offseason. The Northeast Division now consists of Bossier-Shreveport, Fort Worth, Memphis, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The entire Southern Conference remains the same from last season.

The 2004-05 CHL season will be 60 games in length (down from 64 contests in each of the previous two seasons) and begin one week later on Oct. 21 and end one week later on March 20. The Ray Miron President's Cup Playoff format has also been modified slightly. Eight teams (all four division winners plus two wild card teams from each conference) will again qualify for the post-season, but all three playoff rounds will now be best-of-seven game series. Last year, the opening round was played in a best-of-five game format.

Additional changes for the coming season include revised veteran and rookie rules. Each CHL team will permitted to carry a maximum of four veterans on their roster who have participated in 260 or more regular season professional games. The rookie rule has been replaced with a developmental player rule, requiring each team to have a minimum of five players on their roster at all times who have participated in 128 professional regular season games or fewer. The CHL's salary cap and roster size remain the same, although a maximum of 17 of each team's 18 players can dress per game. All CHL players and on-ice officials will be required to wear visors this season in an effort to reduce eye and facial injuries.

Season tickets start as low as $320 for the 2004-2005 CHL season, which will begin in mid-October. For more information, call the Scorpions office at (505) 881-PUCK (7825).

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Central Hockey League Stories from June 9, 2004


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