ECHL Prez To Leave League Office For Team Ownership Duties

ECHL President & CEO Rick Adams "will step down when his contract expires in September of 2003 and become an owner," according to Rob Mueller of THE HOCKEY NEWS, who reports that Adams will purchase a majority share of an ECHL expansion franchise set to begin play in '03 in Beaumont, TX. Additionally, Adams will be a minority owner of the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones. Mueller notes that with both franchises, Adams becomes part of an ownership group that includes NHL HOFer Phil Esposito. Adams will "continue his duties for one more year while the owners search for his successor" (THE HOCKEY NEWS, 2/1). Adams' ownership stakes were approved by the league's BOG on January 22 (THE DAILY).

NOTES: The '03 ECHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition was awarded to the FL Everblades and will be played at the 7,082-seat TECO Arena. Meanwhile, Compuware was named as the title sponsor for the game (ECHL).