DOCSLIB.ORG

Where Did National Hockey League Fans Go During the 2004-2005 Lockout?: an Analysis of Economic Competition Between Leagues

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Where Did National Hockey League Fans Go During the 2004-2005 Lockout?: an Analysis of Economic Competition Between Leagues View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Munich RePEc Personal Archive MPRA Munich Personal RePEc Archive Where did National Hockey League Fans go During the 2004-2005 Lockout?: An Analysis of Economic Competition Between Leagues Rascher Daniel and Brown Matt and Nagel Mark and McEvoy Chad University of San Francisco, University of South Carolina, University of South Carolina, Illinois State University 2009 Online at https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/25804/ MPRA Paper No. 25804, posted 12. October 2010 18:21 UTC Where did NHL Fans go during the 2004-2005 Lockout? 1 RUNNING HEAD: Where did NHL Fans go during the 2004-2005 Lockout? Where did National Hockey League Fans go during the 2004-2005 Lockout? An Analysis of Economic Competition between Leagues Where did NHL Fans go during the 2004-2005 Lockout? 2 ABSTRACT Identifying and evaluating competitors is a critical aspect of operating a sport organisation. However, North American sports franchises have a limited understanding of competitors in their geographic market – particularly when calculating the degree of competition from other sport teams. Increasing the understanding of local sport competitors, whether in the same or different professional leagues, is critical not only to future franchise operations, but also for potential litigation concerning relevant product markets. This article utilises a natural experiment involving the National Hockey League’s (NHL) 2004-2005 lockout to assess the competitiveness of the NHL with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and four minor hockey leagues. On average, the five potential competitor leagues attained a 2% increase in demand, all else equal, during the lockout period. For the NBA this translates into more than US$1 million per team in increased incremental ticket revenue. Keywords: relevant market, competition, demand, National Hockey League, regression analysis Where did NHL Fans go during the 2004-2005 Lockout? 3 Where did National Hockey League Fans go during the 2004-2005 Lockout? An Analysis of Economic Competition between Leagues 1 Introduction Competition in sports often refers to athletic competition on the field of play. In the business of sports, competition refers to enterprises that compete with each other for customers. It is often unclear, however, if teams in the same marketplace compete for the same customers. For instance, does a person living in Chicago make a choice to attend either a Major League Baseball (MLB) Chicago White Sox game or a MLB Chicago Cubs game based upon the price to attend, the quality of the team, the quality of the opponent, the stadium, or the presence of star players? Or, are the White Sox and the Cubs even competing for the same customers in their marketplace? Understanding and comparing the customer base becomes even more difficult when examining cross-sport and cross-level competition. In Los Angeles, does a consumer make a cross-sport choice to attend either the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Los Angeles Kings games or the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Los Angeles Lakers games? The potential cross-level competition affects hockey consumers in places like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They can chose between attending a major league NHL Philadelphia Flyers game or a minor league American Hockey League (AHL) game. Sport organisations not only compete for consumers’ ticket revenue in the marketplace but also for other revenues such as corporate sponsorship, Where did NHL Fans go during the 2004-2005 Lockout? 4 licensed merchandise sales, and local broadcast rights. Teams in the same marketplace offer live in-person entertainment to fans, sponsor access to a target market, and contribute content to media companies. Possibly, teams in the same marketplace may compete with one another for some combination of all these revenue sources, or the teams might not be competitors as their potential consumer bases do not overlap. Recently, the discussion of professional sport marketplace competition received attention when MLB’s Montreal Expos moved to Washington D.C. Peter Angelos, owner of MLB’s Baltimore Orioles (located roughly 40 miles from Washington, D.C.), demanded and received compensation from MLB to supplement the team’s potential lost revenues due to the new competition in the marketplace (Nagel et al., 2007). Similar concerns arose when MLB’s Oakland Athletics investigated a possible move to Santa Clara County, California which is within the territorial boundaries of MLB’s San Francisco Giants. Throughout league relocation cases, one of the central questions has been the degree to which teams are in competition with each other for fans, and by extension, corporate sponsors, advertising revenues, and media rights. These disputes between teams within leagues have occasionally resulted in litigation regarding potential revenue losses due to increased competition for consumers in the marketplace. In the United States, antitrust law governs most of these disputes. In these types of sports cases, teams or leagues often have to determine the definition of the product and geographic markets as their first step in assessing market power. The scope of the product Where did NHL Fans go during the 2004-2005 Lockout? 5 and geographic markets relates to the degree of competition with other sports teams, leagues, or even other forms of entertainment. However, there has not been a consensus in terms of product market definition by the courts (Freitas, 2000). Three cases illustrate this point. In International Boxing Club v. United States (1959), the United States Supreme Court upheld a lower court determination that the promotion of championship boxing matches, in contrast to all professional boxing events, constituted a relevant product market. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed, in NCAA v. Board of Regents (1984), that live college football telecasts were a distinct relevant market because the audience is unique and attractive to advertisers and competitors are not able to offer programming that can attract a similar audience. However, in Chicago Professional Sports LTD. v. NBA (1996), the circuit court determined that viewers of basketball games are not unique and that advertisers can market to them through other channels. As the courts have not established a consensus on marketplace competition for professional sports teams, when teams have attempted to move into another marketplace, they have often had to make economic arguments justifying their move. When the National Football League’s (NFL) Oakland Raiders moved to Los Angeles, the NFL attempted to prohibit their move (Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission v. National Football League, 1984). One issue in the suit was the definition of the relevant market. The Raiders argued that the relevant geographic market was Southern California while professional football was the relevant product market. Lehn Where did NHL Fans go during the 2004-2005 Lockout? 6 and Sykuta (1997, p. 549) stated that “The NFL countered that the appropriate market was all forms of entertainment throughout the United States. The court accepted the narrower definition offered by the Raiders. In doing so, it offered no indication that either interchangeability of products or cross-price elasticities were seriously considered in the deliberation.” Lehn and Sykuta further noted that this was in conflict with the court’s rationale, as it earlier stated that the appropriate tests for determining the relevant product market were both reasonable interchangeability and cross-price elasticities (see Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 1393). The inconsistency of the court’s evaluation of sports business competition demonstrates the need to study competition in the sports business industry (Lehn and Sykuta, 1997). Leaving aside issues ranging from media rights to sponsorship, sports business competition for live in-person consumption in one geographic area can involve four different competitive environments: a) the same sport at different levels of competition (e.g. the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL’s Chicago Wolves), b) different sports at the same level of competition (e.g. the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers), c) the same sport at the same level of competition (e.g. the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers), and d) different sports at different levels of competition (e.g. the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and the AHL’s Chicago Wolves). Of course, this does not include all of the possibilities for a sport competing with non-sports forms of entertainment (e.g., movies, the beach). This paper addresses competition for Where did NHL Fans go during the 2004-2005 Lockout? 7 live in-person attendance between the same sport at different levels of competition and different sports at the same level of competition. Prior to the 2004-2005 season, the NHL locked out its players in an effort to reform its economic system. As a result of the lockout, a natural experiment was created that can be utilised to measure competition between the same sport at different levels of competition (Hypothesis 1 in Table 1) and different sports at the same level of competition (Hypothesis 2 in Table 1). Specifically, the labour stoppage afforded the authors an opportunity to determine if live in-person consumers of NHL games instead went to NBA games or minor league hockey games during the lockout. This issue is relevant to sport managers for many reasons. Most importantly, it affects the establishment of price levels. When setting prices, an organisation must understand the competitiveness of its market. It has to recognise who it is competing against in the marketplace and incorporate that information while determining pricing. Additionally, it may impact scheduling of games and other ways to differentiate the product. Insert Table 1 about here. 2 Review of Literature Where did NHL Fans go during the 2004-2005 Lockout? 8 Relevant literature concerning the competition for consumers in the marketplace by professional sports teams primarily includes research regarding sports team relocations and the impacts of the relocations on league outcomes.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Effect of Geographic Location on Nhl Team Revenue
    THE EFFECT OF GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION ON NHL TEAM REVENUE A THESIS Presented to The Faculty of the Department of Economics and Business The Colorado College In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Bachelor of Arts By J. Matthew Overman May/20l0 THE EFFECT OF GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION ON NHL TEAM REVENUE J. Matthew Overman May, 2010 Economics and Business Abstract This study attempts to explain the effect geographical location has on a National Hockey League (NHL) team's revenue. The effect location has will be compared to other determinants of revenue in the NHL. Data sets were collected from the 2006-2007 and the 2007-2008 seasons. Regression results were analyzed from these data sets. This study found that attendance, city population, and win percentage has a positive and significant effect on revenue. KEYWORDS: (Location, National Hockey League, Revenue,) ON MY HONOR, I HAVE NEITHER GIVEN NOR RECEIVED UNAUTHORIZED AID ON THIS THESIS Signature I would like to thank my thesis advisor Alexandra Anna for her guidance and patience throughout this process. I would also like to thank my parents for their full support of me from start to finish. None of this could have been possible without these people. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT 111 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv I. INTRODUCTION II. LITERATURE REVIEW 6 Location....................................................... .................................................. 7 Attendance..................................................................................... ................ 11 Star Players........
    [Show full text]
  • Community Relations Programming in Non-Traditional NHL Markets
    St. John Fisher College Fisher Digital Publications Sport Management Undergraduate Sport Management Department Fall 2013 Community Relations Programming in Non-Traditional NHL Markets Charles Ragusa St. John Fisher College Follow this and additional works at: https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/sport_undergrad Part of the Sports Management Commons How has open access to Fisher Digital Publications benefited ou?y Recommended Citation Ragusa, Charles, "Community Relations Programming in Non-Traditional NHL Markets" (2013). Sport Management Undergraduate. Paper 74. Please note that the Recommended Citation provides general citation information and may not be appropriate for your discipline. To receive help in creating a citation based on your discipline, please visit http://libguides.sjfc.edu/citations. This document is posted at https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/sport_undergrad/74 and is brought to you for free and open access by Fisher Digital Publications at St. John Fisher College. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Community Relations Programming in Non-Traditional NHL Markets Abstract In the past twenty years, USA Hockey participation figures have grown at exponential rates, with overall amateur participation numbers reaching the half-million mark for the first time in 2011 (USA Hockey, 2012). Much of the overall growth of hockey in the United States has occurred in what some may define as non-traditional markets. These non-traditional markets comprise of Southern, mid-Atlantic, and West Coast cities, and several of the expansion and relocation teams that have grown since the early 1990s. In order to understand the growth of the sport, it is first important to look into what community outreach programs have been implemented by the various teams in the region, to help comprehend the varying sorts of awareness initiatives available to the public.
    [Show full text]
  • Carl Gunnarsson Brief
    2013 HOCKEY ARBITRATION COMPETITION OF CANADA Toronto Maple Leafs v Carl Gunnarsson Brief Submitted on Behalf of the Toronto Maple Leafs Team 31 Table of Contents Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………1 Overall Performance of the Player……………………………………………………………...1 Number of Games Played and Injury History…………………………………………………2 Length of Service in the NHL and with the Club……………………………………………...3 Overall Contribution to the Club……………………………………………………………….3 Special Qualities of Leadership or Public Appeal……………………………………………..4 Comparable Players……………………………………………………………………………..4 A) Anton Stralman………………………………………………………………………………5 B) Ryan Wilson…………………………………………………………………………………..6 Valuation & Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………7 Introduction This brief is in regards to the past performance of Mr. Carl Gunnarsson (the “Player”) of the Toronto Maple Leafs (the “Club”) for the matter of salary arbitration pursuant to Article 12.1(a) of the 2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement (the “CBA”) between the National Hockey League (the “NHL”) and the National Hockey League’s Players Association (the “NHLPA”). The CBA states seven categories of evidence that are admissible in salary arbitration cases in section 12.9(g)(ii): the overall performance of the player in previous seasons; the number of games played in previous seasons and any injuries or illnesses; the length of service of the player in the NHL and/or with the Club; the overall contribution of the player to the Club’s competitive success or failure; any special qualities of leadership or public appeal; the overall performance of any player(s) alleged to be comparable to the Player and the compensation of any players alleged to be comparable. As we will show in this brief, Mr. Gunnarsson, due to the above factors, should be compensated with a salary of $2,500,000.
    [Show full text]
  • Since Blazing Into a New Era with the Opening of the Colorado Springs
    Since blazing into a new era with the opening of the Colorado Springs World Arena in January 1998, Tiger Hockey has continued to solidify its position among the nation’s most elite Division I programs. With six league titles, 16 home-ice playoff berths and a dozen NCAA tournament bids tucked away since 1994, Colorado College keeps adding chapter after chapter to its fabled history. CC’s recent string of success, which includes last season’s appearance in the national quarterfinals preceded by trips to the “Frozen Four” in 1996, 1997 and 2005, speaks volumes for the modern-day version of a program that has spanned eight decades. Sure, when Scott Owens took over as head coach in 1999, he inherited a perennial powerhouse. But where does the tale really begin? How has little Colorado College, a private liberal arts and sciences college with an enrollment of less than 2,000 students, maintained such elite status in a sport filled with Division I giants? TWO CONCEPTS COME TO MIND: Tradition. From its pre-World War II roots, to its hosting of the first 10 NCAA Tournaments and co-founding of the WCHA, the school has influenced college hockey's growth from infancy. Commitment. Proving that academic and athletic excellence can co-exist in a small campus environment, CC has relied on vision, hard work and creativity to revive a program that many others nationwide now envy. THE EARLY YEARS Colorado College Hockey got its start in January of 1938, when the Broadmoor Hotel converted its seldom-used indoor riding academy into an ice rink.
    [Show full text]
  • Salary Caps in Professional Team Sports - Balancing Competition Or Balancing Costs in the National Hockey League?
    Salary Caps in Professional Team Sports - Balancing Competition or Balancing Costs in the National Hockey League? Economics Master's thesis Antti Lipasti 2015 Department of Economics Aalto University School of Business Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) Aalto University, P.O. BOX 11000, 00076 AALTO www.aalto.fi Abstract of master’s thesis Author Antti Lipasti Title of thesis Salary Caps in Professional Team Sports – Balancing Competition or Balancing Costs in the National Hockey League? Degree Master’s Degree in Economics and Business Administration Degree program Economics Thesis advisor Marko Terviö Year of approval 2015 Number of pages 71 Language English Purpose of the study The aim of this study is to introduce North American major sports league salary cap systems. I summarize the development and the history of job market regulation in professional team sports. Different types of salary caps and leagues are presented to create a comprehensive understanding about the topic. The theoretical implications of a salary cap are presented based on previous literature. Previous studies suggest that a salary cap has two main motivations: to balance the competition and to lower player costs. In the empirical part of the thesis I keep my focus in the National Hockey League (NHL). I test whether the consequences implied by theory are consistent with the results in the NHL after the introduction of the first league-wide salary cap in 2005. My aim is to find out if the competition has balanced during the regular season and during the playoffs. Additionally, I examine consequences of lower player costs to the team owners and to the players.
    [Show full text]
  • Other Hockey Leagues
    OTHER HOCKEY LEAGUES {Appendix 4.1, to Sports Facility Reports, Volume 16} Research completed as of August 7, 2015 NATIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE League Update: The league’s inaugural season will begin in October 2015 with four teams: Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, and New York Riveters. All the teams are owned and paid for through the NWHL Foundation, which is a non-profit organization. The foundation is depending on donations to fulfill its goal of being able to pay the players, and provide the education and training opportunities to youths to increase female participation in hockey throughout the country. Team: Boston Pride Year Established: 2015 Team Website Twitter: @TheBostonPride Arena: Harvard Bright-Landry Center Date Built: 1979 Facility Cost ($/Mil): N/A Percentage of Arena Publicly Financed: N/A Facility Financing: N/A Facility Website Twitter: N/A UPDATE: The Boston Pride open the season on October 11, 2015. NAMING RIGHTS: Named after Alexander H. Bright, a former Harvard hockey player, and rechristened in honor of the longtime support from alumnus C. Kevin Landry. © Copyright 2015, National Sports Law Institute of Marquette University Law School Page 1 Team: Buffalo Beauts Year Established: 2015 Team Website Twitter: @BuffaloBeauts Arena: The HarborCenter Date Built: 2014 Facility Cost ($/Mil): $172.2 Percentage of Arena Publicly Financed: 0%, however, the Harbor Center is publicly subsidized, receiving $57 million in local and state tax breaks. Facility Financing: N/A Facility Website Twitter: @HarborCtr UPDATE: The Harbor Center is a new arena that opened in November 2014. Facility construction will be completed in 2015.
    [Show full text]
  • Two Worlds Collide: Salary Arbitration for NHL Players in the Salary Cap Era
    Two Worlds Collide: Salary Arbitration for NHL Players in the Salary Cap Era TREVOR LEVINE* I. INTRODUCTION In the summer of 1997, Tommy Salo was a young and promising goaltender who had just finished his first full season as the New York Islanders' starting goalie. 1 However, after an emotional arbitration hearing during which Islanders' General Manager Mike Milbury called Salo "one of the worst-conditioned athletes on the team," 2 the goalie who had helped lead 3 the 1994 Swedish national team to Olympic gold was reduced to tears. Salary arbitration can be a nasty process with both players and teams fighting for every dollar.4 Although salary arbitration hearings can sometimes damage players' egos, the players themselves fought to implement the system in 1970 and fought to maintain it in 1994.5 Despite the * J.D. 2011, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. 1 Tim Whamsby, The Most Bitter of Battles, THE SPORTING NEWS, July 22, 2002, available at http://fmdarticles.com/p/articles/mi-ml208/is_29_226/ai_95680434/. The article also discusses John LeClair's adversarial arbitration hearing with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2000. Id LeClair had averaged forty-seven goals per season the previous five seasons and had a total of 235 goals during those seasons, the most in the NHL for that time period. Id. Despite this output, Flyers General Manager Bobby Clarke told the arbitrator that LeClair was weak defensively and a disappointment in the playoffs. Id. 2 Id. 3 Id.; Johnette Howard, Sweden Wins on Forsberg'sShot in Shootout, WASH. POST, Feb.
    [Show full text]
  • Saints Gold Nfl Jerseys for Toddlers--Were the Largest Outlet Store Saints Gold Nfl Jerseys for Toddlers, Enjoy Fast Free Shipping and 60-Day Return Policy
    Saints Gold nfl jerseys for toddlers--Were the largest outlet store Saints Gold nfl jerseys for toddlers, enjoy fast free shipping and 60-day return policy. Complete List Of Stores Located At The Mills at Jersey Gardens® - A Shopping Center In Elizabeth, NJ - A Simon Mall--Get a complete, print friendly list of all of the stores, dining and entertainment options located at The Mills at Jersey Gardens® April 2012 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 More... Here is most likely the seal of approval release: TEMPE, AZ (March 21, 2011) as high as The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today going to be the six member All-CHL Team as well as for going to be the 2010-11 season,a specific right through balloting regarding all are 18 CHL head coaches. Receiving recognition on the team are forwards Riley Nelson to do with Colorado, Sebastien Thinel concerning Odessa and also Chad Woollard having to do with Texas. They are joined by defensemen Darcy Campbell relating to Rio Grande Valley and even Andrew Martens having to do with Wichita along allowing an individual goaltender Robby Nolan regarding Missouri. 2010-2011 All-CHLTeam F: Riley Nelson, Colorado Eagles F: Sebastien Thinel, Odessa Jackalopes F: Chad Woollard,nhl hockey jersey, Texas Brahmas D: Darcy Campbell, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees D: Andrew Martens, Wichita Thunder G: Robby Nolan, Missouri Mavericks Riley Nelson, Forward (Colorado Eagles): Riley Nelson makes the All-CHL Team and for going to be the finally straight season and also planned all are forwards during this year's balloting as the affected person appeared all over the 12 to do with the 18 submitted ballots.
    [Show full text]
  • Market, Financial Analysis, and Economic Impact for Idaho Falls, Idaho Multipurpose Events Center
    Final Report Market, Financial Analysis, and Economic Impact for Idaho Falls, Idaho Multipurpose Events Center Idaho Falls, Idaho Prepared for City of Idaho Falls Submitted by Economics Research Associates Spring 2008 Reprinted January 4, 2010 ERA Project No. 17704 10990 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 1500 Los Angeles, CA 90024 310.477.9585 FAX 310.478.1950 www.econres.com Los Angeles San Francisco San Diego Chicago Washington DC New York London Completed Spring 2008 - Reprinted Jan 4, 2010 Table of Contents Section 1. Executive Summary.............................................. 1 Section 2. Introduction and Scope of Services .................... 7 Section 3. Idaho Falls, Idaho Overview ................................ 11 Section 4. Potential Anchor Tenants / Sports Leagues / Other Events ......................................................... 22 Section 5. Comparable Events Centers ................................ 43 Section 6. Events Center – Potential Sizing and Attendance .................................................... 54 Section 7. Financial Analysis – Base Case, High and Low Scenarios ....................................................... 56 Section 8. Economic Impact Analysis ................................... 83 Appendix. Site Analysis Proposed Idaho Falls Multipurpose Events Center ERA Project No. 17704 Page i Completed Spring 2008 - Reprinted Jan 4, 2010 General Limiting Conditions Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the data contained in this study reflect the most accurate and timely information possible, and they are believed to be reliable. This study is based on estimates, assumptions and other information reviewed and evaluated by Economics Research Associates from its consultations with the client and the client's representatives and within its general knowledge of the industry. No responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies in reporting by the client, the client's agent and representatives or any other data source used in preparing or presenting this study.
    [Show full text]
  • Busi Ness AD-Vantage
    PRESS & DAKOTAN ■ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012 PAGE 9 Hey, Big Ten! What Took So Long For You To Come Around? Press&Dakotan BY JAMES D. CIMBUREK place years ago. ... Let me correct myself, we should have been at an eight, 16 or 24-team playoff in college [email protected] football years ago. Starting a four-team playoff is just an appetizer compared to what the NCAA has in its Di- DAILY DOSE vision I basketball tournaments. After being one of the staunchest opponents to a four-team playoff, also called the “plus one” system, in col- Division I FBS college football remains the only major sport where there is no clear line for how a school in lege football, the Big Ten came around this week. the division can win a championship. In basketball it’s simple, even for the lowliest of conferences: win your con- Daily opinions from the P&D One has to wonder what it was that changed the league’s opinion after the Midwest league was so violently ference tournament, you go to the NCAA. Win six (maybe seven) games in the NCAA tournament, you win the Sports Staff on local and na- opposed to that change in the Bowl Championship Series format just three years ago. I am sure that having championship — just like those big-time conference schools. Yet even the Big Ten’s endorsement might not be enough to get even a four-team playoff going. The sys- tional high school, college two Southeast Conference (SEC) teams play for a national title while quality Big Ten teams sat on the sidelines might have been a factor.
    [Show full text]
  • Hockey Hall of Fame Announces 2015 Inductees
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: HOCKEY HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2015 INDUCTEES TORONTO (June 29, 2015) – Lanny McDonald, incoming Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame and John Davidson, Chairman of the Selection Committee, announced today that five individuals have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Player Category. In addition two individuals were elected in the Builder Category. The vote took place today at the annual meeting of the Selection Committee in Toronto. “The Hockey Hall of Fame is proud to welcome these seven hockey legends as Honoured Members,” said John Davidson. “Their contributions to the game of hockey are well documented and their election to the Hockey Hall of Fame is richly deserved.” In the Builder Category, Bill Hay and Peter Karmanos Jr. were elected. The first NCAA graduate to play in the National Hockey League, Bill Hay’s contributions to hockey span from grassroots to the professional level. His distinguished hockey resume includes contributions made while serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of Hockey Canada, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Calgary Flames, and most recently as Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame. “Being recognized by my hockey peers is truly a great honour,” said Hay. “Seeing the game - and the Hockey Hall of Fame - become truly international has been a tremendously rewarding experience.” One of hockey’s great benefactors, Peter Karmanos Jr. has helped enable the success of dozens of American hockey teams and thousands of players. The Detroit native captured a Stanley Cup as Chief Executive Officer, Owner and Governor of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.
    [Show full text]
  • Aaron Davis Bio 2013OK
    Aaron Davis Head Coach Midget Minor AA Aaron Davis a Detroit, Michigan native started playing hockey at 6 years of age. He played his youth hockey in the Detroit area for GPD, Michigan Nationals and Bantam AAA with Little Caesars. At 17 years of age he was asked to try out for the Detroit Freeze of the North American Hockey League and played for one year before leaving home and joining the Chicago Freeze. During that time he was named to the NAHL All Star Team 2 years in a row. After juniors Davis, earned a scholarship to play Division 1 hockey at Lake Superior State University in the CCHA from 1999-2003. Aaron won freshman of the Year honors in 1999-2000. After graduation, Davis turned pro and played two seasons in the East Coast Hockey League. He played nine seasons in the Central Hockey League, the last two with the Wichita Thunder playing in the CHL finals. His last two years in Wichita, Aaron played 113 games and scored 44 goals, 71 assists and 115 points and hit his career 500 game. Aaron was selected to the CHL All-Star team in 2007-2008, was voted MVP for Tulsa in 2009-2010 and the won the Unsung Hero Award with Wichita in 2010-2011. He is a member of the Professional Hockey Players Association (PHPA) and has been a player representative since 2008. Since retiring Aaron is the Assistant Coach for the Dallas JR. Stars Midget AA Major and Minor teams as well as Head Junior Varsity Coach for Arlington High School.
    [Show full text]