Eagles Named CHL's Franchise of the Year for Second Time

Colorado Eagles Staff




WINDSOR, Colo. – For the second time in four years – the previous time coming after the 2004-05 season – the Colorado Eagles have been named the Central Hockey League’s Franchise of the Year.  The honor was bestowed upon the franchise over the weekend at the league’s annual conference, along with four other individual awards.  Of the 16 awards handed out by the league, the Eagles won five and were nominated for 11 – both more than any other team. 

In addition to the Franchise of the Year Award, the Eagles took home the awards for Ticket Sales Executive of the Year (Chris Augusto), Ticket Sales Franchise of the Year, Corporate Sales Executive of the Year (Gavin Riches) and the formal awarding of the Rick Kozuback Award to President, General Manager and Head Coach Chris Stewart.  The Eagles have been named the Ticket Sales Franchise of the Year in all five years of their existence.

Also of note, the Soul of Service Award was re-named the Ralph Backstrom Soul of Service Award, and given to Kevin McClelland, the recently-resigned Director of Player Operations and Head Coach of the Mississippi RiverKings.

The full list of categories the team was nominated for, but did not win includes: Ralph Backstrom Soul of Service Award (Chris Augusto), Community Relations Franchise of the Year, Communications Executive of the Year (J.P. Puma), Game Operations Franchise of the Year, Merchandising Franchise of the Year and Corporate Sales Franchise of the Year.