Prince named USHL commissioner
By Steven Allspach Journal sports writer | Posted: Saturday, September 27, 2008
Yale football and tennis letterman and graduate, vice president of the National Hockey League, president and chief executive officer of the Montreal Alouettes, University of Virginia law school graduate and Rhodes Scholar finalist.
It's quite an impressive resume for the new commissioner of the United States Hockey League, Ellis T. "Skip'' Prince.
The USHL board of governors announced Friday afternoon that Prince would succeed Gino Gasparini as league commissioner and begin his duties immediately. Prince is in Sioux City this weekend attending the USHL Fall Classic.
"I'm privileged to have the opportunity to work with one of the most important developmental organizations, as well as a source of some of the most exciting hockey -- in the United States,'' said Prince. "In its short (amateur) history, the USHL has already provided a training ground for thousands of the world's top players.
"The league has provided an extraordinary opportunity for the present and future stars of U.S. hockey to play at the NCAA level and professionally in the NHL, something that 118 of our alumni, including 69 last season, have already accomplished.
"My sense is that the hockey fan base in the U.S. may not quite understand how special the USHL is and how critical its success and growth is to the development of the sport of hockey in the United States.
"We're out to change that. This is going to be a great ride.
Gasparini, the outgoing commissioner, will remain with the USHL in the role of executive vice president and senior advisor and among his duties will be to oversee hockey operations for Prince.
"The USHL board of governors (owners) is pleased that we were able to find and hire a person with the experience and leadership qualities that Skip possesses,'' said Jim Kronschnabel, the president of the Sioux City Musketeers who serves as the USHL chairman. "We're also thrilled that Gino, who has taken this league so far during his tenure, will remain with the league, oversee the hockey operation and assist with this leadership transition.''
Prior to founding in 2004 The Prince Companies, a consulting firm , Prince was a senior advisor to the Canadian Football League, working with the Alouettes from 2001-2003. He worked with the NFL from 1991-2000, responsible for the league and team television and business operations.
"The USHL and Tier I hockey in the United States only exist because of Gino Gasparini's tireless work over the past 14 years with the NCAA, and USA Hockey,'' praised Prince of the former University of North Dakota coach. "He's a critical part of our plans moving forward and I'm looking forward to working with him as well as the league's ownership.''
It's quite an impressive resume for the new commissioner of the United States Hockey League, Ellis T. "Skip'' Prince.
The USHL board of governors announced Friday afternoon that Prince would succeed Gino Gasparini as league commissioner and begin his duties immediately. Prince is in Sioux City this weekend attending the USHL Fall Classic.
"I'm privileged to have the opportunity to work with one of the most important developmental organizations, as well as a source of some of the most exciting hockey -- in the United States,'' said Prince. "In its short (amateur) history, the USHL has already provided a training ground for thousands of the world's top players.
"The league has provided an extraordinary opportunity for the present and future stars of U.S. hockey to play at the NCAA level and professionally in the NHL, something that 118 of our alumni, including 69 last season, have already accomplished.
"My sense is that the hockey fan base in the U.S. may not quite understand how special the USHL is and how critical its success and growth is to the development of the sport of hockey in the United States.
"We're out to change that. This is going to be a great ride.
Gasparini, the outgoing commissioner, will remain with the USHL in the role of executive vice president and senior advisor and among his duties will be to oversee hockey operations for Prince.
"The USHL board of governors (owners) is pleased that we were able to find and hire a person with the experience and leadership qualities that Skip possesses,'' said Jim Kronschnabel, the president of the Sioux City Musketeers who serves as the USHL chairman. "We're also thrilled that Gino, who has taken this league so far during his tenure, will remain with the league, oversee the hockey operation and assist with this leadership transition.''
Prior to founding in 2004 The Prince Companies, a consulting firm , Prince was a senior advisor to the Canadian Football League, working with the Alouettes from 2001-2003. He worked with the NFL from 1991-2000, responsible for the league and team television and business operations.
"The USHL and Tier I hockey in the United States only exist because of Gino Gasparini's tireless work over the past 14 years with the NCAA, and USA Hockey,'' praised Prince of the former University of North Dakota coach. "He's a critical part of our plans moving forward and I'm looking forward to working with him as well as the league's ownership.''
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