WINTER HAWKS SOLD

Portland, Ore—The Western Hockey League (WHL) today confirmed the sale of the Portland Winter Hawks has concluded, and control of the franchise has been transferred to its new owner, William M. (Bill) Gallacher of Avenir Capital Corporation.

 “I’m honored to have this opportunity to be a part of the continued Portland Winter Hawks tradition,” said Gallacher. “I’m grateful to the fans, sponsors, staff and players for their commitment to the Winter Hawks, and I look forward to working together to create a hockey experience here in Portland that is second to none.” 

 Mr. Gallacher today announced the appointment of several new staff members including Mike Johnston as General Manager and Head Coach of the Portland Winter Hawks.  Johnston joins the Winter Hawks having spent the past nine years in the National Hockey League as an Associate Coach with the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings.  Johnston has had extensive international coaching experience having coached in nine World Senior Championships, two World Junior Championships and the Olympic Games for Canada.

 Mr. Gallacher and Mr. Johnston announced the appointment of Travis Green to the position of Assistant General Manager and Assistant Coach with the Winter Hawks.  A graduate of the WHL, Travis Green played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League retiring in 2007.

 Rich Campbell has been appointed Athletic Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Winter Hawks.  Campbell joins the Winter Hawks after serving as the Head Athletic Trainer of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team that competed in Beijing.  Campbell has extensive experience in professional hockey having been the Head Athletic Trainer of the NHL’s New York Islanders from 1997 – 2006.

 Mr. Gallacher and Mr. Johnston also announced that long-time Winter Hawks General Manager, Ken Hodge, has been retained as a consultant to the organization. 

 The Winter Hawks also announced that current assistant coach Kyle Gustafson will remain with the Club in his same capacity.

 Richard Kromm, who has been replaced as Head Coach of the Portland Winter Hawks, has been offered reassignment within the organization.  The services of Assistant Coach Brian Pellerin and Trainer Innes Mackie have not been retained by the Club.

 The 2008-2009 season marks the 33^rd year the Winter Hawks have operated in Portland.  One of Portland’s premiere sport franchises, the Winter Hawks moved from Edmonton to Portland in 1976 and in doing so became the first U.S. based franchise in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL).  Today, the Winter Hawks are one of the most decorated franchises in the history of the Canadian Hockey League with four Memorial Cup appearances; two Memorial Cup National Championships (1983, 1998); two Western Hockey League titles (1982, 1998) and a combined 22 championship banners.  A total of 98 players have graduated from the Winter Hawks to the NHL including current and former NHL Stars Braydon Coburn, Adam Deadmarsh, Brandon Dubinsky, Paul Gaustad, Marian Hossa, Brenden Morrow, Cam Neely, and Glen Wesley.