The Central Hockey League has today announced that Leon Stickle, the Director of Hockey Operations for the CHL, has accepted a position with the National Hockey League as a Supervisor of Officials. During Stickles five years with the Central and Western Professional Hockey Leagues, he was responsible for overseeing all areas of the Leagues officiating program. During his tenure, the CHL developed and promoted many members of the officiating staff to the American Hockey League and one to the National Hockey League.
I am excited about the opportunity to be working once again in the National Hockey League, Stickle said. My time spent in the CHL and WPHL was a tremendous experience, and has prepared me well for my new role with the NHL. I look forward to this new challenge, as well as my continued relationship with the Central Hockey League and their officiating staff.
Stickle had a distinguished career on the ice, including 27 seasons as a Linesman in the NHL before moving into the CHL front office. CHL President Brad Treliving congratulated Stickle on his advancement to the National Hockey League. We want to thank Leon for his dedicated service over the past five seasons of play, said Treliving. Leons advancement is a testimonial to the continuing priority the CHL places on the development of management staff, coaches, players and front office personnel to advance up the ranks of professional hockey.
We are excited to have Leon back in the National Hockey League, added Andy Van Hellemond, NHL Director of Officiating. After his lengthy on-ice career, he has had outstanding success working with the Central Hockey Leagues officiating staff and will be a great asset to the NHLs supervisory staff this season.
The CHL is currently evaluating potential candidates to serve as Stickles replacement for the 2003-2004 season.
The Central Hockey League begins its 12th season of play October 16th with 17 teams (including the expansion Colorado Eagles and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees) in eight states, and is the only minor pro hockey league in North America to show consecutive attendance increases the past two seasons, finishing with an average per-game attendance of 4,401 in 2002-2003.