Howson agrees to multi-year extension as AHL President and CEO | TheAHL.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The Board of Governors of the American Hockey League has announced that Scott Howson has agreed to terms on a multi-year contract extension that will see him continue to serve as President and CEO of the American Hockey League.

Howson's current contract was set to run until the 2024-25 season.

“The Board of Directors is pleased to extend Scott Howson as President and CEO of the American Hockey League,” it said Laurence Gilman, executive vice president/governor of the Toronto Marlies and chairman of the AHL Executive Committee. “Under Scott's leadership, he has always been committed to the highest level of excellence on and off the ice. We look forward to working together to continue the success of the AHL.”

Howson was unanimously elected as the tenth President in league history in 2020 and has already led the AHL and its member teams through unprecedented challenges, starting with navigating two seasons that required diligent management of agreements and procedures to ensure the league could operate in a safe environment. and an effective approach during the COVID-19 crisis.

In Howson's first four seasons, the AHL expanded to 32 franchises; expanded its Calder Cup Playoff field to 23 teams to allow for greater player development through meaningful postseason and postseason experience; operate a combined 72-game schedule in the regular season; and set various benchmarks in the company's sales revenue. Howson has also actively advocated for diversity and inclusion throughout the league, particularly with the addition of women in 2021 to the AHL's roster of referees and linesmen for the first time.

A native of Toronto, Howson came to the AHL after 26 years as an executive with the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets, with extensive responsibilities including hockey operations and administration, player development, salary cap compliance, contract negotiations, scouting. and evaluation, and business operations. He served as general manager of the Blue Jackets from 2007 to 2013, guiding the franchise to its first Stanley Cup Playoff appearance in 2009, and was GM of the Oilers' AHL affiliate from 1994 to 2007, reaching Calder Cup Finals two and worked as. member of the AHL Board of Governors.