HILTON HEAD, S.C. - The American Hockey League honoured Mark Chipman before bidding him adieu.
The co-owner of the Winnipeg Jets was honoured with the Thomas Ebright Award in recognition of career contributions to the AHL on Wednesday night.
Chipman joined the AHL in 2001 when he represented six International Hockey League teams, including his own Manitoba Moose, in successful negotiations to bring the franchises into the AHL.
He was the driving force behind construction of the MTS Centre in downtown Winnipeg and the Moose were consistently among the AHL's leaders in attendance and revenue over their 10 seasons in the league.
Chipman and David Thomson joined the NHL's board of governors with the purchase and relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers on May 31.
The Moose moved to St. John's, N.L., and will serve as the Jets affiliate next season.
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