’Hounds’ Hoffman has CHL position

The team’s former assistant general manager is relocating to Phoenix.

YOUNGSTOWN — Bob Hoffman, who resigned last week as the Youngstown SteelHounds assistant general manager, has been named the Central Hockey League’s Director of Communications. 

Hoffman replaces Steve Cherwonak who recently was named the General Manager of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs after spending nearly the past dozen years with the league office. 

Hoffman, a native of Cuyahoga Falls and graduate of Kent State University, will oversee all league communication, publication, Web site and media efforts.

The CHL is based in Phoenix.

“We are very pleased to welcome Bob to the Central Hockey League front office”, said Rick Kozuback, president and CEO of Global Entertainment Corporation, the CHL’s parent company. Global also operates the Chevrolet Centre for the city of Youngstown.

“Bob brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will serve both our front office and our member clubs exceedingly well,” Kozuback said.

Former broadcaster

Hoffman has been involved in professional hockey for the past decade and came to the SteelHounds two summers ago as their broadcaster and media coordinator.

Last season, Hoffman served as assistant to General Manager Joe Gregory.

Prior to working in Youngstown, Hoffman served for three years as the vice president of communications for the Utah Grizzlies of the American Hockey League.

Before that, he worked for the San Antonio Iguanas (CHL), the Louisville Panthers (AHL) and the Arkansas GlacierCats (Western Professional Hockey League). 

In 2002, Hoffman was named the CHL’s Public Relation’s Executive of the Year. This past season, he was one of four finalists for the CHL’s Soul of Service Award. 

In 1998, Hoffman began his career in professional sports with the WPHL in the league office working alongside Cherwonak, the man he is replacing, in the Communications Department.

“I am very excited about the opportunity within the CHL,” Hoffman said. “This has always been an elite group of good people who have done a tremendous job and I am looking forward to contributing to and servicing the Central Hockey League and its member teams.”

The CHL begins its 16th season of play on Oct. 19, with 17 member teams across nine states. 

The CHL has led all North American professional ‘AA’ hockey leagues in average attendance for the past six seasons.