Henry and Susan Samueli, owners of the Mighty Ducks of
Anaheim and Anaheim Arena Management (AAM), announced today the
executives for the NHL franchise and Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim. Brian
Burke, former president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks,
has been named the Mighty Ducks' new executive vice president and
general manager. Michael Schulman has been named chief executive
officer of the team, while AAM President/Chief Executive Officer Tim
Ryan will assume the additional role of Mighty Ducks' executive vice
president and chief operating officer. Bob Wagner, currently serving
as vice president and chief marketing officer of AAM, has been named
senior vice president and chief marketing officer of both entities.
Mike O'Donnell, who was serving as vice president and chief operating
officer for AAM, has been promoted to senior vice president and
general manager for the Arrowhead Pond.
"This is a very exciting day for both Susan and I, along with the entire Mighty Ducks organization," said Henry Samueli. "From the moment we agreed to purchase the club, we found it vital to put together the best possible management team in order to succeed both on and off the ice. We believe that's been accomplished, culminating with the hiring of Brian Burke as executive vice president and general manager."
"The Mighty Ducks captured our hearts during the 2003 Stanley Cup playoff run," said Susan Samueli. "Today we are thrilled to have ownership of the team and welcome our new executive management staff."
Burke was most recently the president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks from 1998-2004. Under his leadership, the team increased its point total four consecutive years from 1999-2003. With 104 and 101 points respectively the last two NHL seasons (2002-2004), the Canucks joined only Detroit, Ottawa and Philadelphia to record consecutive seasons with at least 100 points. The 2003-2004 Canucks finished with a record of 43-24-10-5 for 101 points, winning the Northwest Division. Over his last four seasons with the team, Burke engineered four consecutive seasons of at least 90 points.
Named by The Sporting News as "NHL Executive of the Year" in 2001, Burke acquired the majority of the current Canucks roster. Vancouver ranked third in the NHL in goals scored over his last 3 years with the team (753, behind only Detroit and Ottawa), including a league-leading 254 goals in 2001-2002.
One of the most respected and experienced executives in the NHL, Burke originally joined the Canucks in June 1987 as vice president and director of hockey operations. He left the Canucks in 1992 to become general manager of the Hartford Whalers, before being named NHL senior vice president and director of hockey operations (1993-98). While working at the NHL league office, Burke worked closely with Commissioner Gary Bettman on a wide variety of league issues and policies and was the NHL's chief disciplinarian.
Burke was born in New England and raised in Minnesota. He signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1977 as a player and was a member of the 1978 Calder Cup Champion Maine Mariners. Burke then returned to Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 1981 before practicing law for 6 years in Boston. During his two stints in Vancouver, Burke was a valued and active member of the community, including his serving on the board of directors for Canuck Place.
"I'm very proud and enthusiastic to be joining the Ducks organization," said Burke. "My goals for the team are simple: have a consistent winning team on the ice and ensure we become an integral part of the Orange County community."
Burke will report directly to team CEO Michael Schulman, who also serves as managing director of H & S Ventures, the holding company owned by the Samuelis.
"We feel very fortunate to have Brian Burke as our new general manager," said Schulman. "His proven track record leading the Vancouver Canucks speaks for itself."
Ryan has more than 27 years of experience in arena management and event creation. He joined the Arrowhead Pond in 1992 as assistant general manager before being promoted to general manager in 1998. Just a few years later, he was named Pollstar Magazine's 2001 Facility Executive of the Year. In late 2003, the management contract for the arena was purchased by the Samuelis and AAM was formed. Following that transaction, Ryan was named president and CEO of both the company and the arena.
During his tenure, more than 2,100 events and 20.7 million fans have come to the Arrowhead Pond. One of the premier entertainment and sports venues in the United States, it has been nominated seven times since opening in 1993 for Arena of the Year by the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards. The 2004 nomination followed a record year in which Ryan brought 41 concerts to the arena. Top name artists included Madonna, Rod Stewart, Prince, Phil Collins, Van Halen and Barry Manilow, who opened the arena 12 years ago. Billboard Magazine also ranked the Arrowhead Pond fourth in gross ticket sales ($34,179,023) among arenas in the world with over 15,000 seats. With the additional role as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Mighty Ducks, Ryan will oversee the business operations of the franchise.
O'Donnell has more than 20 years of experience in facility operations, professional sports and arena management. In early 1993, after a successful career at the Great Western Forum (former home to the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings), he made the move to Anaheim, overseeing construction of the new Anaheim Arena. In 1998, he was promoted from director of operations to assistant general manager. When the management contract for the arena was purchased in 2003, O'Donnell was named vice president and chief operating officer for both the company and the arena.
During his tenure, the Arrowhead Pond has earned, and continues to maintain, a reputation as one of the most beautiful arenas and event experiences in the country. Over the years he has also been associated with numerous successful ventures, teams and events, including most recently, the 2005 World Badminton Championships. In his new role as senior vice president and general manager, O'Donnell will be responsible for booking events and overseeing the operation of the arena.
Wagner has more than 20 years of experience in sports marketing, primarily in the Southern California market. After 10 years on staff with the California Angels, he joined the Mighty Ducks in their inaugural season (1993-94) as director of sales and marketing. When Anaheim Sports Inc. purchased the Angels in 1996, he was named vice president of advertising sales and broadcasting for Anaheim Sports Inc., overseeing the sales and broadcasting departments for both the Mighty Ducks and Angels.
In 2000, he accepted the position of vice president of sales and business development with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Four years later, in July of 2004, he returned to the Arrowhead Pond as vice president and chief marketing officer for AAM. In his new, dual role as senior vice president and chief marketing officer for both the team and the building, Wagner will lead all aspects of business operations including broadcasting, sponsorship, ticket sales, marketing, community relations and communications.
Visit the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on the Internet at www.mightyducks.com.
"This is a very exciting day for both Susan and I, along with the entire Mighty Ducks organization," said Henry Samueli. "From the moment we agreed to purchase the club, we found it vital to put together the best possible management team in order to succeed both on and off the ice. We believe that's been accomplished, culminating with the hiring of Brian Burke as executive vice president and general manager."
"The Mighty Ducks captured our hearts during the 2003 Stanley Cup playoff run," said Susan Samueli. "Today we are thrilled to have ownership of the team and welcome our new executive management staff."
Burke was most recently the president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks from 1998-2004. Under his leadership, the team increased its point total four consecutive years from 1999-2003. With 104 and 101 points respectively the last two NHL seasons (2002-2004), the Canucks joined only Detroit, Ottawa and Philadelphia to record consecutive seasons with at least 100 points. The 2003-2004 Canucks finished with a record of 43-24-10-5 for 101 points, winning the Northwest Division. Over his last four seasons with the team, Burke engineered four consecutive seasons of at least 90 points.
Named by The Sporting News as "NHL Executive of the Year" in 2001, Burke acquired the majority of the current Canucks roster. Vancouver ranked third in the NHL in goals scored over his last 3 years with the team (753, behind only Detroit and Ottawa), including a league-leading 254 goals in 2001-2002.
One of the most respected and experienced executives in the NHL, Burke originally joined the Canucks in June 1987 as vice president and director of hockey operations. He left the Canucks in 1992 to become general manager of the Hartford Whalers, before being named NHL senior vice president and director of hockey operations (1993-98). While working at the NHL league office, Burke worked closely with Commissioner Gary Bettman on a wide variety of league issues and policies and was the NHL's chief disciplinarian.
Burke was born in New England and raised in Minnesota. He signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1977 as a player and was a member of the 1978 Calder Cup Champion Maine Mariners. Burke then returned to Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 1981 before practicing law for 6 years in Boston. During his two stints in Vancouver, Burke was a valued and active member of the community, including his serving on the board of directors for Canuck Place.
"I'm very proud and enthusiastic to be joining the Ducks organization," said Burke. "My goals for the team are simple: have a consistent winning team on the ice and ensure we become an integral part of the Orange County community."
Burke will report directly to team CEO Michael Schulman, who also serves as managing director of H & S Ventures, the holding company owned by the Samuelis.
"We feel very fortunate to have Brian Burke as our new general manager," said Schulman. "His proven track record leading the Vancouver Canucks speaks for itself."
Ryan has more than 27 years of experience in arena management and event creation. He joined the Arrowhead Pond in 1992 as assistant general manager before being promoted to general manager in 1998. Just a few years later, he was named Pollstar Magazine's 2001 Facility Executive of the Year. In late 2003, the management contract for the arena was purchased by the Samuelis and AAM was formed. Following that transaction, Ryan was named president and CEO of both the company and the arena.
During his tenure, more than 2,100 events and 20.7 million fans have come to the Arrowhead Pond. One of the premier entertainment and sports venues in the United States, it has been nominated seven times since opening in 1993 for Arena of the Year by the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards. The 2004 nomination followed a record year in which Ryan brought 41 concerts to the arena. Top name artists included Madonna, Rod Stewart, Prince, Phil Collins, Van Halen and Barry Manilow, who opened the arena 12 years ago. Billboard Magazine also ranked the Arrowhead Pond fourth in gross ticket sales ($34,179,023) among arenas in the world with over 15,000 seats. With the additional role as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Mighty Ducks, Ryan will oversee the business operations of the franchise.
O'Donnell has more than 20 years of experience in facility operations, professional sports and arena management. In early 1993, after a successful career at the Great Western Forum (former home to the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings), he made the move to Anaheim, overseeing construction of the new Anaheim Arena. In 1998, he was promoted from director of operations to assistant general manager. When the management contract for the arena was purchased in 2003, O'Donnell was named vice president and chief operating officer for both the company and the arena.
During his tenure, the Arrowhead Pond has earned, and continues to maintain, a reputation as one of the most beautiful arenas and event experiences in the country. Over the years he has also been associated with numerous successful ventures, teams and events, including most recently, the 2005 World Badminton Championships. In his new role as senior vice president and general manager, O'Donnell will be responsible for booking events and overseeing the operation of the arena.
Wagner has more than 20 years of experience in sports marketing, primarily in the Southern California market. After 10 years on staff with the California Angels, he joined the Mighty Ducks in their inaugural season (1993-94) as director of sales and marketing. When Anaheim Sports Inc. purchased the Angels in 1996, he was named vice president of advertising sales and broadcasting for Anaheim Sports Inc., overseeing the sales and broadcasting departments for both the Mighty Ducks and Angels.
In 2000, he accepted the position of vice president of sales and business development with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Four years later, in July of 2004, he returned to the Arrowhead Pond as vice president and chief marketing officer for AAM. In his new, dual role as senior vice president and chief marketing officer for both the team and the building, Wagner will lead all aspects of business operations including broadcasting, sponsorship, ticket sales, marketing, community relations and communications.
Visit the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on the Internet at www.mightyducks.com.