SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League held its 2024 Awards Gala during the Annual Board of Governors Meeting in Hilton Head Island, SC, on Thursday evening, presenting several awards for excellence and service:
For the second year in a row, the Hershey Bears vice president of hockey operations Bryan Helmer voted by the Board as the winner James C. Hendy Memorial Awardgiven to the most outstanding official in the American Hockey League.
Elected to the AHL Hall of Fame following a storied career, Helmer joined the Bears front office in 2016 to oversee the day-to-day operations of the franchise's hockey department. With Helmer working closely with the coaches of Hershey and the Washington Capitals on all personnel decisions, the Bears posted a regular season win streak of 53 points, 111 points – the second best record in AHL history – before receiving major contributions from several players. in supporting roles en route to winning the organization's 13th Calder Cup championship.
The James C. Hendy Memorial Award is named after the deceased Jim Hendya member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and the AHL Hall of Fame and a mathematician and AHL historian who won four Calder Cups as general manager of the Cleveland Barons.
Vance Lederman of the Syracuse Crunch was honored with the award Thomas Ebright Award in recognition of career contributions to AHL.
Lederman has been part of the Crunch organization since its inception 30 years ago, currently serving as senior vice president of business operations and chief financial officer. His unique, proactive personality has made him a valuable liaison between the front office and Crunch fans, corporate partners, players, coaches and NHL partners in Tampa Bay. Throughout the years, Lederman has been the driving force behind many marquee events to ensure organizational vibrancy and energy in the Syracuse community, including the first outdoor game in AHL history, the first professional hockey game ever in the iconic Carrier Dome and two AHL All . -The Eternal Stars.
The Thomas Ebright Award is honored Tom Ebrightformer owner and governor of the Baltimore Skipjacks and Portland Pirates who died in 1997.
I The Hershey Bears (team of the year) and Mavrik Bourque Texas Stars (best player) were selected as the 2023-24 winners President's Awards.
The Bears wrote another chapter in their storied history in 2023-24, posting the second-best regular season record ever in the American Hockey League before capturing their second consecutive Calder Cup championship. Off the ice, they saw significant increases in all areas of their sales performance – including season tickets, team tickets, individual game tickets and corporate sales – and the Bears finished among the top three in the league in average attendance for the 17th consecutive season.
At age 22, Bourque won the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL's most valuable player in 2023-24 and was the AHL's youngest leading scorer in more than a decade, leading the league with 77 points on 26 goals and 51 assists. . Dallas' first round pick (30th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft was voted a First Team AHL All-Star, participated in the AHL All-Star Classic, and made both his regular season and Stanley Cup Playoff debuts with the parent Stars.
Established in 2009, the President's Awards are presented to an AHL organization and/or player for outstanding performance over the previous year.
You have a referee Shaun Davis named the 2023-24 recipient of the Michael Condon Memorial Award with the remaining contributions made by the ice officer.
A resident of Long Grove, Ill., Davis has served on AHL officiating staff since 2006 working more than 550 games, including the AHL All-Star Challenge in 2023. As one of the league's most highly-regarded on-ice officials, Davis has worked. with and mentored many young officers over the years, demonstrating the expertise, professionalism and work ethic required to succeed.
The Michael Condon Memorial Award was created in 2002 following the passing of the veteran AHL linesman. Mike Condon.
The League also saw several outstanding achievements in various fields and its year Team Business Services Awards.
As part of its Team Business Services program, the AHL recognized clubs with the highest revenue growth in four areas during this past season: general ticket sales, season ticket sales, team ticket sales and corporate sponsorship sales. Noticed overall ticket sales growth be The Laval Rocket (Eastern Conference) and Coachella Valley Firebirds (Western Conference). Winners at revenue growth from season ticket sales be The Hartford Wolf Pack (East) and Coachella Valley Firebirds (Western). I The Bridgeport Islanders (East) and Henderson Silver Knights (Western) received awards for growth in corporate sponsorship sales, and Utica Comets (East) and Coachella Valley Firebirds (West) are known for increasing team ticket sales.
Additionally, teams from each conference were selected for excellence in the areas of digital media, public relations and fan experience. I The Laval Rocket (East) and The Calgary Wranglers (Westerners) were honored the beauty of digital media; i The Springfield Thunderbirds (East) and Rockford IceHogs (Western) got the nod unique public relations efforts; as well as The Hershey Bears (East) and Texas Stars (Western ones) are known as outstanding fan experience at home games.
The AHL also recognized numerous teams and individuals for their efforts during the 2023-24 season in league play. Team Business Meetings in Rosemont, Ill., last month, incl Texas Stars like marketing department of the yeari The Cleveland Monsters like seasonal goods departmenti The Colorado Eagles like annual sponsorship sales department as well as Chicago wolves like annual ticket sales department.
I The Laval Rocket were recognized promotion of separate ticket sales or theme nights (“Old Time Hockey Night”); i The Cleveland Monsters they were chosen immersive gaming experience (“Eclipse Game Theme”); i Toronto Marlies they were chosen a different public relations system (“Capes for Children”); i The Syracuse Crunch they were honored for different social media content (“Canal Mules of Syracuse”); i Henderson Silver Knights they were given a medal a separate subsidy package or privilege (Partnership of Tactical Night Vision Company); as well as Iowa Wild were recognized an outstanding marketing campaign (“Starts in DSM”).
Operating since 1936, the AHL serves as the top developmental league for all 32 teams in the National Hockey League. About 90 percent of today's NHL players graduated from the American Hockey League, and more than 100 members of the Hockey Hall of Fame spent time in the AHL during their careers.
Source link
