The Oklahoma City Blazers have been named the Central Hockey League’s Franchise of the Year, announced at the Awards Banquet Saturday evening along with 14 other individual and franchise awards. The Awards Banquet concluded the 2007 Summer Conference and four days of meetings, guest speakers, training seminars and social events held at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. The Blazers captured their fifth minor professional hockey attendance crown this season in their 15 seasons of play.

“We congratulate the Oklahoma City Blazers and each of this year’s award winners on their accomplishments over the past season of play,” said CHL President Brad Treliving. ‘We had numerous outstanding recipients and finalists for each award, and we recognize their efforts in setting extremely high standards of operation in all areas.” The Blazers were also named the CHL Franchise of the Year for the 2001-2002 season, the first year of the Central and Western Professional Hockey League merger.

On the social agenda, the Austin Ice Bats trio of Coach Brent Hughes, Owner Jeff Buch, and Vice President of Corporate Sales Danny Madden teamed with Kolin Kriitmaa from MacLean Sports Marketing to claim victory in Friday’s Daktronics Golf Scramble with a 17 under round of 55, while the CHL’s own Aaron Jackson, Director of Franchise Services, outlasted the competition to win the Boston’s Casino Night Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament. Patrick Armstrong, Director of Media & Community Relations for the Colorado Eagles, finished second, while Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees General Manager Grant Buckborough and Killer Bees owner Troy Nelson finished third and fourth respectively. The various events raised nearly $6,000.00 dollars for the Hoffen Foundation, all of which will be distributed to various children’s charities across CHL markets.

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 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)

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)

Sales and Marketing Cup
Rocky Mountain Rage
(Recognized for winning season long sales and marketing competition)

Global Entertainment Employee of the Year
Curtis Valentine, Director of Business Operations, Central Hockey League

Global Entertainment Business Unit of the Year
GetTix Ticketing

Encore Facility Management Event Center of the Year
Tim’s Toyota Center (Prescott Valley, AZ)

Encore Facility Management Salesperson of the Year
David Sacchetti, Corporate Sales Manager, Tim’s Toyota Center (Prescott Valley, AZ)

Encore Facility Management Newcomer of the Year
Tommy Scott, Executive Director, Santa Ana Star Center (Rio Rancho, NM)