AHL extends Andrews contract

The American Hockey League’s Board of Governors announced a contract extension for President/Chief Executive Office David Andrews through June 2015.

Andrews assumed the AHL presidency in 1994 and enters his 17th season at the helm in 2010-11, only Jack Butterfield (28 seasons) has served longer as president of the AHL.

“All of us with an interest in the American Hockey League – our owners, our management, our fans, our partners and more — are extremely fortunate to have had the benefit of Dave Andrews’ leadership over the last 16 years as President and CEO,” said Rick Pych, President of Business Operations for Spurs Sports & Entertainment and Governor of the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage. “During his tenure, the AHL has become a critical step on the career path for virtually every young player en route to the NHL. We are all thrilled that Dave will continue to lead us through the exciting years that lie ahead.”

Under Andrews’ direction, the AHL has become the sole primary development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams, and will be at an all-time high of 30 active teams beginning this fall. In 2001, Andrews led one of the largest expansion efforts ever in professional sports, a complex enterprise of bringing nine new cities into the AHL, including six from the former International Hockey League. The AHL’s footprint has grown dramatically during Andrews’ tenure, moving from a circuit of teams primarily on the Atlantic seaboard to one with successful franchises throughout the Northeast and Midwest, in major North American cities such as Chicago, Toronto, Cleveland, Houston, San Antonio, Winnipeg, Milwaukee and, in 2010-11, Charlotte and Oklahoma City. Andrews has also worked to ensure the league’s success in smaller historical and traditional markets like Rochester, Springfield, Hershey, Portland and Providence.

A native of Nova Scotia, Andrews came to the league office with firsthand knowledge of the AHL, having served as the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers’ AHL affiliate for seven years and winning a Calder Cup in 1993. His extensive hockey background includes serving as head coach of the WHL’s Victoria Cougars, serving on the development council of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association and working with SportCanada in preparation for the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary. Andrews was honored with induction into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 2006.

Follow Arena Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!

Follow the latest arena news with the weekly Arena Digest newsletter. You can sign up here.