David Andrews (ice hockey)

David Andrews is a Canadian ice hockey executive and former player. He is the current President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Hockey League (AHL), the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League. He has been inducted into both the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame (2005) and the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame (2006).^[1] On September 2, 2010, it was announced by the NHL that Andrews had been named as one of the four recipients of the Lester Patrick Award for 2010.^[2]

Born in Nova Scotia, Andrews attended Dalhousie University in Halifax and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where he excelled in varsity hockey at both institutions as a goaltender, garnering multiple conference all-star status. After graduation, he played four years of professional hockey in the Netherlands.^[1]

David Andrews became the Hockey Development Coordinator for the Province of British Columbia in 1975 and served in this capacity for five years until joining the Victoria Cougars of the Western Hockey League as a coach. In this time, Andrews was instrumental in the development of future hall-of-fame goaltender Grant Fuhr, and the Cougars were Memorial Cup champions in 1981. He took over as head coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Cougars in 1982. In addition to his involvement with the Cougars, Andrews was on the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association's Developmental Council for 10 years and was Chairman of its Coaching Committee. He was the head coach of Canada's National Under-18 club in 1982 and an assistant coach during the 1985 Canadian Olympic Team's training camp. He was also a senior consultant with the Government of Canada through the Sport Canada initiative and helped prepare for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.^[1]

From 1987 to 1994, Andrews was the Director of AHL Operations for the Edmonton Oilers and guided the Oilers' AHL affiliates, the Nova Scotia Oilers and Cape Breton Oilers. This period was highlighted by Andrews being awarded the James C. Hendy Memorial Award in 1990 as the AHL's outstanding executive, the Cape Breton Oilers setting a record with 36 sellouts in the 1990-91 season, and the Oilers capturing the 1992-93 Calder Cup as AHL champions.^[1]

Andrews ascended to the presidency of the AHL in 1994, taking over from longtime President Jack Butterfield.^[1] In 1995, Andrews oversaw the re-introduction of the AHL All-Star Classic after 35 years, which has become an annual internationally televised event. Under Andrews, the AHL pursued an aggressive marketing strategy and has secured several high-profile sponsors as well as broadcasters. In 2001, the AHL saw its main competitor, the International Hockey League, collapse and the AHL absorbed six of its franchises while becoming the only top developmental hockey league in North America. Annual AHL attendance has doubled under Andrews, and the league will operate with an all-time high of 30 teams for the 2010-11 season.^[1]

David Andrews and wife Marleen have three children and live in Wilbraham, Massachusetts.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "TheAHL.com / The American Hockey League / President and CEO". American Hockey League. http://theahl.com/president-and-ceo-p137718. Retrieved August 6, 2010. 
2. ^ "'Cam Neely leads 2010 Lester Patrick Trophy recipients". National Hockey League. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=536767. Retrieved September 3, 2010. 

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