Mark Chipman is a prominent figure in the world of hockey, having made significant contributions to the sport both on and off the ice. He is best known for his role as the chairman of True North Sports and Entertainment, the company that owns and operates the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Chipman's involvement in hockey began in his youth, when he played the sport at various levels in his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. He later went on to attend the University of North Dakota, where he played for the school's hockey team and earned a degree in business administration.
After college, Chipman returned to Winnipeg and began working in the family business, which included ownership of the local junior hockey team, the Winnipeg Warriors. He eventually became the president of the team and oversaw its transition to the Western Hockey League (WHL).
In 1996, Chipman played a key role in bringing professional hockey back to Winnipeg, which had been without an NHL team since the Jets left for Phoenix in 1996. He was part of a group of local investors who purchased the Minnesota Moose of the International Hockey League (IHL) and relocated the team to Winnipeg, where it became the Manitoba Moose.
Under Chipman's leadership, the Moose became one of the most successful minor league hockey teams in North America, winning numerous division titles and making several appearances in the Calder Cup playoffs. The team also served as a development affiliate for the Vancouver Canucks and later the Winnipeg Jets.
In 2011, Chipman's dream of bringing the NHL back to Winnipeg became a reality when True North Sports and Entertainment purchased the Atlanta Thrashers and relocated the team to Winnipeg, where it was renamed the Jets. Chipman served as the team's chairman and oversaw its successful return to the NHL, including the construction of a new arena, the Bell MTS Place.
Off the ice, Chipman has been a strong advocate for hockey in Canada and has served in various leadership roles within the sport. He was a member of the board of governors for the WHL and the American Hockey League (AHL), and he also served as the chairman of the AHL's executive committee.
Chipman's contributions to hockey have been widely recognized, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his work. In 2015, he was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, and in 2017, he was named the NHL's Executive of the Year.
Overall, Mark Chipman's hockey career has been marked by his passion for the sport and his commitment to its growth and development. His leadership and vision have helped to bring professional hockey back to Winnipeg and have made the city a vibrant and thriving hockey community.
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