CALGARY FLAMES APPOINT BRIAN PETROVEK AS STOCKTON HEAT CEO

Stockton, CA - The Calgary Flames announced today that they have named Brian Petrovek as Chief Executive Officer of its AHL Stockton Heat Hockey Club. He will also serve as an Alternate Governor for the team. Dave Piecuch will continue in his role as President of the club.

Petrovek has served as President of the Adirondack Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the Stockton Heat, for the last two seasons. Petrovek originally joined the Calgary Flames organization as President of the AHL’s Adirondack Flames in 2014 following 14 years as Managing Owner/CEO of the AHL's Portland Pirates. The Heat will be the fourth American Hockey League team, joining Adirondack (2014-15), Portland (2000-2014) and the Utica Devils (1987-1990), that Petrovek has held the chief operating position for the franchise. Petrovek’s professional experience also includes hosting three league All-Star Classics (Portland, Maine in 2003 and 2010, and the CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic in Glens Falls, NY in 2017).

“I am very excited to continue my commitment to the Calgary Flames organization and to return to the American Hockey League,” Petrovek said, "This new challenge will give me an opportunity to help build upon the successes experienced to date in the Stockton market and to do my part in helping to strengthen Stockton Heat Hockey as a premiere setting for our players, coaches and staff to develop and compete for the Calder Cup. I'm looking forward to working with Heat staff, fans, sponsors and the community to increase the excitement around our brand and the overall fan experience".

Petrovek’s extensive resume in the hockey business also includes a senior management position with the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, where he served as the Vice President of Marketing for four seasons under Lou Lamoriello (1989-1993) following his stint running the Utica Devils. After six years with the New Jersey organization, Petrovek accepted a position with USA Hockey, where he worked for seven years as Deputy Executive Director (1993-2000) and also as Executive Director of the USA Hockey Foundation during his last two years (1990 -2000) in Colorado Springs. Petrovek served as Team Leader for Team USA for the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and for the US Men's Team participating in the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. Petrovek worked alongside Team USA GM Lamoriello during its successful Championship run at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame with the team in November, 2016.

"In Brian Petrovek, we are adding a veteran AHL operator to an already strong management team in Stockton," said Flames President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke. "In addition to his experience and familiarity with the AHL, Brian provides great passion, business savvy and customer service skills that will be assets as we continue to grow the game in the Stockton community. Both Brad Treliving (Flames General Manager) and I have worked with Brian in the past and look forward to a continued successful relationship."

Away from the arena, Petrovek has a long history of community service and leadership, most recently serving on the Board of Directors at the Tri-County United Way in Glens Falls, NY. Petrovek also served as Board Chair for the United Way of Greater Portland along with several other organizations within the Portland community.

A Harvard graduate, Petrovek was an All-American goaltender at Harvard before being drafted by the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and the WHA's Edmonton Oilers and was inducted into the Harvard University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998.

The Thunder are back in action this weekend as they visit Cincinnati and Kalamazoo for three games to continue their chase for a 2017 Kelly Cup playoff berth. Adirondack Thunder individual and group ticket packages are also available for just $13 per ticket in addition to new Thunder mini-packs, consisting of four tickets and a gift card to a local restaurant for just $65. Call 518-480-3355 x1 or visit ECHLThunder.com/tickets to customize a plan and reserve your seat locations today.

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