Thursday, December 31, 2009

Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli Joins Dubuque Ownership

Press Release

Northern Lights Hockey, LLC today announced that Peter Chiarelli, General Manager of the Boston Bruins, has joined the ownership group for the new USHL Member Club that will play in Dubuque, Iowa beginning in the 2010-11 season.

Chiarelli is currently in his fourth season with the Boston Bruins. The team finished the 2008-09 season with the best record in the NHL's Eastern Conference at 53-19-10 and 116 points, a 40-point improvement from Chiarelli first season with Boston in 2006-07. The Bruins also qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs following the 2007-08 season for the first time in four seasons. Former USHL players Blake Wheeler, Mark Stuart, and Andy Wozniewski have all suited up for the Bruins this season, and a total of seven USHL alumni have played for Chiarelli during his time in Boston.

Prior to his current role in Boston, Chiarelli spent seven seasons with the Ottawa Senators, serving as Assistant General Manager for two years and the Director of Legal Relations for five seasons.

"The USHL has evolved before my eyes since I have been in the hockey business," stated Chiarelli. "It is a good destination for a lot of reasons; the competition level is high and it has become a significant springboard to college and professional hockey. It is a league that is run very well and I am impressed with its presentation and the people involved. I am confident the ownership group will make Dubuque's re-entry into the League a successful one."

Chiarelli played four seasons of collegiate hockey at Harvard University and served as team captain in his senior year (1986-87). He earned a degree in Economics from Harvard before receiving his law degree from the University of Ottawa. The native of Ottawa, Ontario was a lawyer and player agent for six years prior to joining the Senators organization.

"Having a partner like Peter, with not only his hockey resume but also his network and knowledge of the game, is a tremendous asset for our operation in Dubuque," said Brad Kwong, Managing Director of Northern Lights Hockey, LLC. "In preparation for our entry into the USHL, we have the goal of establishing a model organization and hockey club and we strongly believe that Peter's participation enables us to make another significant step towards achieving that goal."

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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