(via theahl.com - click here for the original article)
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--The National Hockey League announced today that American Hockey League President & CEO David Andrews has been named a recipient of the 2010 Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States.
The award, one of the most prestigious in hockey, was presented to the NHL by the New York Rangers in 1966. It honors the memory of Lester Patrick, who spent 50 years in hockey as a player, coach and general manager and was a pioneer in the sport’s development.
Since assuming the AHL presidency in 1994, Andrews has guided the league through a period of explosive and unprecedented growth, directing the league to record levels of attendance and exposure while expanding its geography across the United States and Canada. Under his direction, the AHL has become the sole primary development league for all 30 National Hockey League organizations and will be operating with an all-time high of 30 teams during its historic 75th anniversary season in 2010-11.
The AHL’s footprint has grown dramatically under Andrews, with successful franchises throughout the Northeast, Midwest, and in major United States markets such as Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Milwaukee, San Antonio and, beginning in 2010-11, Charlotte and Oklahoma City.
In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for the players, coaches, managers, executives and broadcasters of all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 85 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the ninth year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2009-10.
Season tickets for the inaugural 2010-11 AHL season are now on sale and season ticket packages start as low as $10 per game. Additionally, training camp opens Sept. 27 and the first preseason game will take place at Extreme Ice Center on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1:30 p.m. Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.
