2012-13 Media Guide - NHL.com

WORCESTER SHARKSMICHAEL A. MUDDPRESMPRESIDENTichael A. Mudd serves as the president of the Worcester Sharks, working alongsideSan Jose Sharks Executive Vice President’s Malcolm Bordelon and Michael T. Lehr,and Vice President and Assistant General Manager Wayne Thomas, while playing aMvital role in all aspects of the Sharks operations.vital role in all aspects of the Sharks operations.Mudd oversees the overall business operations of the franchise while managing the corporate, ticket, marketing,community relations, public relations, merchandise, and broadcasting departments.A personable and highly respected team executive in the American Hockey League, Mudd was awarded the 2011James C. Hendy Award, emblematic of the most outstanding executive in the AHL. Michael serves as a Worcester Sharksalternate governor and has been a member of the AHL’s Collective Bargaining, Competition, Player Safety, and TeamBusiness Services Committees. Currently he is serving as chairman of the AHL’s Sales and Marketing Committee.Under his direction, Mudd has led the Worcester Sharks to two consecutive seasons of significant increased revenueand attendance growth at the DCU Center, putting the franchise among the league leaders in these growth categories. Inaddition, the DCU Center reported nine sellouts (attendance over 5,400) during the 2011-12 Sharks campaign, includinga franchise record crowd of 10,170 on Feb 24 vs. the Bruins. The Sharks averaged 4,402 fans during the 38 home datesat the DCU Center in 2011-12; which was an 8% increase over the 2010-11 season and an 19.9% increase over the2009-10 season.In addition to directing the day-to-day business side of the hockey club, he serves as the Sharks liaison with the AHLoffice for all hockey-related administrative issues -- including regular season and playoff scheduling. He is responsiblefor the development and the management of the hockey operations budget, and most other hockey administrative issues.Mudd also has a hand in evaluating Sharks prospects in Worcester as well as prospects from other AHL teams. When theSharks roster is depleted due to player injuries or player recalls to San Jose, he supports Wayne Thomas in researchingor locating talent from other hockey leagues.Mudd enters his 12th season with the Sharks organization having served in various capacities during his tenurewithin the organization while progressively moving up to his current position as president. Mudd was extremely involvedin relocating the club to Worcester, restructuring the front office, and implementing such concepts as the High SchoolHockey Doubleheaders, the Worcester Hockey Hall of Fame and hosting several successful and profitable fundraisingevents to benefit charities throughout Central Massachusetts. Mudd also ensured the Sharks’ future in Worcester byrenegotiating the team’s arena lease at the DCU Center, and he has continued to grow the club’s presence and positiveimpact on the Worcester community.Through his leadership and guidance, Mudd was instrumental in developing and producing the Worcester bid to theAHL Board of Governors to secure the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic for the city of Worcester and was project manager of theextremely successful event.Before joining the Sharks, he was general manager of the International Hockey League’s Cleveland Lumberjacks.During his two years in hockey operations with the ‘Jacks, Mudd compiled an 83-62-19 record, helping lead the club totwo straight Turner Cup Playoff berths.From 1997-99, he served as general manager and director of hockey operations for the Chesapeake Ice Breakersof the East Coast Hockey League. Under his guidance and through difficult off-ice circumstances, the expansion teamposted a combined record of 68-53-19 and qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs in each of its two seasons. Before going tothe Ice Breakers, Mudd was the assistant general manager for the AHL’s Baltimore Bandits, where he also was the team’sgoaltending coach and led the Bandits to Calder Cup playoff berths in both their years of existence.Mudd is also an active participant with several local community organizations, including serving on advisory boards of theMarch of Dimes, Devereux Center, 15/40 Connection, Worcester Regional Research Bureau and the Worcester Chamberof Commerce, where he is also on the Executive Committee.A native of Amherst, N.Y., Mudd is a 1990 graduate of St. Lawrence University where he earned a bachelor’s degree inEconomics. He was a four-year member of the school’s hockey team which won ECAC Division I Championships in 1988and 1989 and were also NCAA Division I Finalists in 1988. Mudd, a goaltender, had a standout senior season and wasamong the NCAA Division I statistical leaders in all categories, culminating in receiving the team’s “Coaches” Award.Mudd attended the 1990 St. Louis Blues training camp and played professional hockey for two seasons, splitting timebetween the ECHL and the IHL. An all-around athlete, he was also a four-year starter on the school’s baseball team wherehe was named All-ICAC as a center fielder. Mudd earned his master’s in Sports Management from Miami University (Ohio),where he was the assistant coach of the hockey team from 1992-94 under NCAA coaching legend George Gwozdecky.Mudd and his wife, Holly, have two sons, Tyler and Connor, and a daughter, Ashley.372 2012-13 SAN JOSE SHARKS ORGANIZATION GUIDEWORCESTER SHARKS