Condors win ECHL Award of Excellence

Bakersfield, Calif. – The Bakersfield Condors, ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, captured the ECHL Award of Excellence, given out by the league during the league meetings held in Las Vegas last week. The award is given to the ECHL team that executes a well-rounded business plan including, but not limited to, sales, marketing, media relations and merchandising while also distinguishing themselves in their community, on and off the ice.

The Condors welcomed over 200,000 fans to Rabobank Arena for the seventh straight season, while also hosting the ECHL All-Star Classic on January 26. Over 7,000 fans attended the All-Star Game and Skills Competition, and over 600 fans were in attendance at the Fan Fest held one night earlier.

Bakersfield’s on-ice success included winning their second straight Pacific Division title and advancing to the Kelly Cup playoffs for the seventh straight season. New team records were set for wins on home ice and the Condors tied a team high for wins in a season. Multiple individual records were set including F Andrew Ianiero becoming the Condors all-time games played leader.

Off the ice, the Condors raised over $330,000 in cash, goods, and services for local non-profits and charities, raising the total amount raised in the team’s 13 years to just under $4 million. The team also earned national recognition in March with their Charlie Sheen Night, which was mentioned on television stations across the country and on websites including Yahoo!, NBCSports.com, The Hockey News and KTLA in Los Angeles, which traveled over 100 miles to do a live segment at the arena the night of the event.

“Over the years the Condors have consistently operated at a very high level,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. “Not only do they continue to provide a high level of entertainment for their fans but are League leaders in community involvement and charitable endeavors. In addition, Matt Riley and his entire team did a terrific job in hosting the 2011 All-Star Classic. The Condors are very worthy winners of the Award of Excellence.”

The Condors also received nominations for other awards. President Matthew Riley was runner-up for ECHL Executive of the Year, and the Condors were also a finalist for the ECHL Website of the Year.

To read the full ECHL release, click here.

Get Tickets:

Support the Condors Booster Club Firework stand this weekend! Any fan who buys fireworks from the Condors Booster Club will have the opportunity for Buy One Get One Free “Pick 6 Packs”. The Pick 6 plan allows fans to choose which games they want to attend while securing great seats and avoiding ticket lines. The stand is located at the corner of Stockdale Hwy and California Ave and will be open from July 1 through July 4.

The Condors home opener is just 107 days away, when the ECHL’s brand new team, the Colorado Eagles, come to town. Game time is 7 p.m. Ticket packages for the 2011-12 season are now on sale, starting at just $48. The Condors will battle the rival Stockton Thunder in Bakersfield in preseason action on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. Visit www.BakersfieldCondors.com or call 324-PUCK(7825) for more information.

If you followed the Condors on twitter (@Condors), you would have already known about this story. Follow the team throughout the offseason with team news, player signings, promotions and more on twitter and facebook (facebook.com/BakersfieldCondors). Be the first to know!