Otters Name Mlakar President, Alternate Governor
Erie, Pennsylvania – The Erie Otters Hockey Club, along with Owner and Governor Jim Waters, announced today the promotion of Roy Mlakar to President and Alternate Governor of the team.
“Over the past two years Roy Mlakar has been the driving force behind all our efforts to put a new face on the Erie Otters franchise,” said Jim Waters, Erie Otters Chairman, Owner, and Governor. “I am so fortunate to have someone with Roy’s experience living in Erie and overseeing the day to day operations of the hockey club. I look forward to continuing our great partnership in the years ahead with the Otters.”
Mlakar, 67-year-old Erie resident, has managed the daily business operations of the Erie Otters as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since JAW Hockey Enterprises LP purchased the team in July 2015. Under his guidance the team has seen record growth in sponsorship sales and attendance numbers, while capturing the franchise’s second Ontario Hockey League championship in May 2017. Mlakar will continue to monitor the team’s daily business operations and oversee the continued growth in Erie and the surrounding communities.
“The hockey club has been, not only fun at this time in my long career, but most enjoyable due to our excellent staff and enthusiastic sponsors and fanbase,” commented Mlakar. “We are quite pleased with our progress since our acquisition. The bottom line for me is when Jim Waters makes it his word for long term commitment, we are sure to provide stability and long-term growth in Erie as everything Jim does is first class.”
Mlakar brought nearly 40 years of professional hockey experience to the Otters when he joined the organization in 2015, including three stints in executive positions with National Hockey League teams, most recently with the Ottawa Senators as their president, CEO, and Alternate Governor from 1996-2009, where he was named Ottawa Business Journal’s CEO of the Year for 2008. His other previous stops include the Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, New Haven Nighthawks (AHL), Providence Reds (AHL), and Cleveland Barons (AHL).
Ticket packages are on sale now and can be purchased in person at the Erie Otters front office located at 201 E. 8th Street in Erie, or by calling 814-455-7779. Single game tickets can be purchased in person at the Erie Insurance Arena box office located at 809 French Street, online at www.erieevents.com, or by calling 814-452-4857. For the latest Otters news, visit www.ottershockey.com, or follow the team on Facebook (www.facebook.com/erieottershockey), Twitter (@ErieOtters) and Instagram (@ErieOtters).
