Whalers Sports & Entertainment Names Ex-Whaler Bob Crawford Hockey Operations Consultant for Whalers Hockey Fest
Whalers Sports and Entertainment Founder Howard Baldwin announced today that former Whaler Bob Crawford has been named hockey operations consultant for Whalers Hockey Fest. Crawford will oversee the scheduling of all amateur events and manage the day-to-day on-ice operations of the 10-day outdoor hockey event to be held February 11-20 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT.
Crawford has already landed a number of commitments from area high schools, junior teams, prep schools and youth hockey groups who contacted him when the Whalers Hockey Fest was announced last month.
"Bob was one of the first people I reached out to when we developed the Whalers Hockey Fest event, said Baldwin "His experience as both a Whalers player and as the owner of three successful skating rinks makes him perfect for the job."
Baldwin added: "In addition to Bob's experience, the contacts and the relationships he's developed in his various duties with USA Hockey have been an immeasurable help to us already."
According to Crawford: "Mr. Baldwin is one of the most creative and innovative executives in professional sports. When I played for him in Hartford (1983-1986), Howard and Emile Francis emphasized to all of us how important it was to be involved in the Hartford community.
"Mr. Baldwin's commitment to Hartford hockey is even stronger today as we prepare for the Whalers Hockey Fest. With his leadership and the support of the Hartford community, this could be one of the greatest hockey events in Connecticut history and I am enthused to be part of it."
Crawford's 10-year professional career saw him play for the NHL's New York Rangers, St Louis Blues and the Hartford Whalers. His playing career saw many highlights among them was his 36 goal season with Hartford in 1984 and his trip the 1986 Stanley Cup semi-finals as a member of the New York Rangers.
Crawford's coaching career has seen him win multiple championships and has seen him transform the Connecticut Junior Clippers/Wolfpack into one of the top programs in the nation with over 150 of his players graduating to NCAA Division I and III college hockey. The teams have had two national tournament showings and in 2000 the Clippers finished 3rd and won the USA National Championship and the following 2001 season. Winner of the AJHL Coach of the year award in 2004, Bob was selected as a coach for the USA Hockey Select 18 National team that won bronze in Canada in 2006.
Professionally, Crawford is now working in his 15th year as owner/operator of the multi-rink/fitness facility "Champions Skating Center", "Bolton Ice Palace", and the International Skating Center of Simsbury CT. He is on the board of directors for USA Hockey and was named a New England director for his second three-year term in 2009. He also serves on USA Hockey's International Council.
Assisting Crawford with Whalers Hockey Fest is many of his current Champions staff, most notably Dave Roberts, the co-owner and GM of The International Skating Center of Connecticut in Simsbury.
Roberts has over 20 years of coaching experience including all levels from youth to college. Roberts was the head coach at Loomis Chaffee, which played in one of the top prep-school leagues, The Founders League.
Before Loomis, Roberts coached with the CT Lazers Junior and Youth hockey teams and as well was the former co-founder and president. He also coached at the college level as an Assistant at Wesleyan University and Head Coach at CCSU.
About Whalers Sports & Entertainment
Founded by Howard Baldwin, Whalers Sports and Entertainment is a full-service sports marketing and event marketing company located in Hartford.
The company's first efforts are designed to re-establish the Hartford Whalers brand in Connecticut.
