GOLDBERG RECEIVES ECHL EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD

SHREWSBURY, N.J. – The ECHL announced today that Maine Mariners Chief Executive Officer/Alternate Governor Adam Goldberg is the 2024-25 recipient of the Blake Cullen ECHL Executive of the Year Award.

The award, which is determined in voting by the ECHL Board of Governors, is presented annually to the top executive in the League. In 2023, the award was renamed in honor of Blake Cullen, who, who was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2009. Cullen founded the Hampton Roads Admirals in 1989, and owned the team for seven seasons through 1995-96.

During the 2024-25 season, Maine saw a 20 percent increase in aggregate total ticket revenue and a 16.7 percent increase in aggregate total revenue. Nearly a third of the home schedule saw sellout crowds, as 11 games reached full capacity, including five in the season’s final two months. Having never exceeded 6,000 fans prior to the 2024-25 season, the Mariners had five crowds over 6,000, including a team record 6,361 on April 13.

Goldberg has been a pilar of the Maine community since the Mariners came to fruition back in 2018. This season, he has been largely involved with the team’s University of New England partnership which gave students the opportunity to research and analyze data in three primary sectors: Hockey Operations, Market Demographics and Practice Facility Proformas. Goldberg spoke at multiple student events as well as networking events offering his mentorship. He is also the point person in the ongoing creation of the Maine Mariners Foundation, which will look to bolster youth hockey in the state of Maine.

He worked directly with the Mariners’ new Director of Marketing, taking the lead in the team’s marketing initiative all while leading the transition of the team’s purchase from Comcast-Spectacor to Powerplay LLC. This included setting up payroll, human resources, health insurance and 401ks.

Blake Cullen ECHL Executive of the Year Award

2025                Adam Goldberg, Maine Mariners

2024                Jeff Mead, Adirondack Thunder

2023                Billy Johnson, Norfolk Admirals

2022                Joel Lomurno, Wichita Thunder

2020                Eric Trapp, Idaho Steelheads

2019                Neil Neukam, Toledo Walleye

2018                Neil Neukam, Toledo Walleye and Bob Ohrablo, Jacksonville Icemen

2017                Brent Thiesssen, Kansas City Mavericks

2016                Kristin Ropp, Cincinnati Cyclones

2015                Joe Napoli, Toledo Walleye

2014                Matthew Riley, Bakersfield Condors

2013                Joe Napoli, Toledo Walleye

2012                Justin Kemp,   Ontario Reign

2011                Dan Chapman, Stockton Thunder

2010                Kristin Ropp, Cincinnati Cyclones

2009                Gordon Kaye, Reading Royals

2008                Darren Abbott, South Carolina Stingrays

2007                Matthew Riley, Bakersfield Condors

2006                Steve Chapman, Gwinnett Gladiators

2005                Steve Chapman, Gwinnett Gladiators

2004                Terry Parks, Alaska Aces

2003                John Butler, Peoria Rivermen

2002                Matt Loughran, Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies

2001                Craig Brush, Florida Everblades

2000                Brian McKenna, Trenton Titans

1999                Carl Scheer, Greenville Grrrowl

1998                Charles Felix, Pensacola Ice Pilots

1997                David Paitson, Columbus Chill

1996                Dave Berryman, Louisiana Ice Gators

1995                Harry Fuerstein/Craig Laughlin, Richmond Renegades

1994                John Gagon/Pierre Paiement, Roanoke Express

1993                Larry Kish, Wheeling Thunderbirds

About the ECHL

Formed in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 29 teams in 22 states and one Canadian province for its 37th season in 2024-25. There have been 768 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL, including 16 who have made their NHL debuts in the 2024-25 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 29 of the 32 NHL teams in 2024-25, marking the 27th consecutive season that the league has affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com.