The Central Hockey League

The Central Hockey League celebrates its 16th season of play in 2007-2008 continuing to build on a tradition of outstanding competition and entertainment first established in the early 90’s. In the CHL’s first four seasons of play, the CHL had the unique distinction of centralized ownership. Now, all of the CHL’s current 17 member clubs are operated independently.

Arguably the most significant change over the past 16 years came in May of 2001, as the Central and Western Professional Hockey Leagues joined forces at a press conference in Oklahoma City that combined the top markets within both organizations under the CHL banner. The merger has been highly successful, with the CHL reaching several significant attendance marks in each season since. In the 2006-2007 campaign, the CHL welcomed an average of 4,388 fans per contest drawing 2,387,286 fans.  For the sixth consecutive season, the CHL has led all “AA” professional hockey leagues in average attendance.

The CHL welcomed new franchise in Prescott, Arizona (Arizona Sundogs) and Broomfield, Colorado (Rocky Mountain Rage) last season and both had outstanding seasons.  The Sundogs qualified for the playoffs and averaged over 4,200 fans per game.  The Rage averaged just over 4,000.

In 2007, the CHL will welcome back the Texas Brahmas who did not play last season and will take the ice in a new venue this year at the NYTEX Sports Centre located in North Richland Hills, Texas.   

The CHL is based in Phoenix, Arizona, and is operated by Global Entertainment Corporation through its WPHL, Inc. subsidiary. Global Entertainment Corporation is an integrated and event company focused on mid-size communities that is engaged through its seven wholly owned subsidiaries, in sports management, arena and related real estate development, facility and venue management and marketing, venue ticketing and brand licensing. The WPHL, Inc, through a joint operating agreement with the Central Hockey League, is the operator and franchisor of professional minor league hockey teams in nine states. International Coliseums Company serves as project manager for arena development while Encore Facility Management coordinates all arena facility operations. Global Entertainment Marketing Systems pursues licensing and marketing opportunities related to the Company’s sports management and arena developments and operations. Global Properties in correlation with arena development projects works to maximize value and development potential of new properties. Global Entertainment Ticketing is an in-house ticketing company for sports and entertainment venues. Cragar Industries is the licensor for its nationally recognized, branded products CRAGAR®, TRU-SPOKE®, CRAGAR S/S® and STREET PRO®.

Central Hockey League Mission Statement
“To reward the interests of Central Hockey League fans and stakeholders through our dedication to continued improvement and excellence, while providing unparalleled service and performance as industry leaders in professional sports.”