Rink

ockey is a sport that has attracted a legion of participants, both players and volunteers, for over 50 years. In the early 1980s, an increase in activity followed the "Miracle on Ice" in the Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games. As the NHL expanded into non-traditional hockey areas in the mid-90s, the game attracted new players from the Sun Belt states, and women's participation began to rise nationally. Today, USA Hockey can count over 585,000 members — players, coaches and officials — an all-time high. So are we satisfied? Absolutely not. In today's marketplace and economy, we must work more diligently than ever to attract new participants to our sport, and we must provide a terrific experience from the start so they will stay. It is for that reason that a new department and priority has been created in our national office. Pat Kelleher, chief operating officer of STAR since its inception, has been recruited to assume the position of assistant executive director of member- ship development on the senior staff of USA Hockey. His experience as an administrator, a marketer, a hockey director and working with ice facilities — not to mention as a player and parent — make him perfectly suited to this brand-new role. Growth of the game is the responsibility of all of us in the sport. But it is clear that we will get the best results if we have people focused on this task alone, every single day. Such is the focus of the new area Pat will lead. Rinks are an indispensable partner of our game and will play an important role in its further growth. Paid-gate teams — like those of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and USHL — offer visibility and media platforms to attract new participants. Our affiliate associations each need to make growth a high priority and designate an individual in their leadership to be responsible for this mission. Local programs must be both creative in their recruiting and committed to making the initial experience of youngsters (and their parents) the best they can be. When USA Hockey and U.S. Figure Skating came together to create STAR a decade ago, it was with the realization that our sports were dependent on you — America's ice facilities — to grow in the future. Our success is linked. That is why your efforts are so much appreciated and your partnership with us so valued. Let's all have a great season! —Dave Ogrean, Executive Director, USA Hockey Opening address 6 R INK MAGAZ INE sept ember/october 2008 H Greg Anzelc Don Baldwin, Dan Berry, Walt Bruley, Brian Cook, Dave Gyger, Pat Kelleher, Justin Maloof, Don Moffatt, Cory Portner, Chelly Townsend, Susi Wehrli, Dave Wescott Wayne Aussem, Dave Gyger, Jeff Theiler, Mark Vaughan Mike DeArmond Dave Jensen Bryan Nelson www.rinkmagazine.com info@rinkmagazine.com Editor: Contributing Writers: Editorial Board: Design & Production: Sales & Marketing: Advertising: Internet Address: Email: PUBLISHING PARTNER 777 Westchester Avenue, Suite 100 White Plains, NY 10604 Phone: (914) 694-1200, Fax: (914) 694-1002 CEO: Steve Farbman President: James McEwen MINNESOTA OFFICE 505 North Highway 169, Suite 465, Minneapolis, MN 55441 phone: (763) 595-0808, fax: (763) 595-0016, touchpointsports.com | info@touchpointsports.com S T A R www.starrinks.com • www.rinkmagazine.com • www.narce.com Mission of STAR: "To be the premier national organization designed to foster the development, growth and success of ice skating rinks and in-line facilities in the United States." STAR is a program of USA Hockey and US Figure Skating Volume 11 Number 5 Joe Delich Dave Wescott Don Moffatt Cory Portner 719-538-1149 719-538-1160 info@starrinks.com Chief Operating Officer: Director, Facility Programs: Director, Facility Programs: Manager, Facility Programs: phone: fax: email: RINK Magazine is the definitive business publication for professionals in the ice rink industry and is the leading source for information on facility management, operat ions and construction. Senior Vice President: David Jensen Vice President: Greg Anzelc Controller: Linda Allison Production Manager: Wade Martin Production: Mike DeArmond Advertising Sales: Bryan Nelson Production and Sales Coordinator: Gina Krusemark Art Director: Corey Gasman Enjoy the present, grow in the future Today, USA Hockey can count over 585,000 members — players, coaches and officials — an all-time high.

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