Michael Chighisola | Director of Franchise Development
franchisedevelopment@nphlhockey.com
Mike Chighisola was names the NPHL Director of Franchise Development in January, 2012 and has an extensive experience in Hockey as a player. Before turning to the pro game, Mike spent a season with the Ferris State University Bulldogs in 1985. In 1986 Mike was invited to attend the Kalamazoo K-Wings IHL training camp at just age 19. He then went to the Troy Slapshots of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League that same year. Mikes professional playing career would see him participate in a total of 347 professional games in such leagues as the ECHL, All-American Hockey League, International Hockey League, Southern Hockey League, Central Hockey League and the Federal Hockey League.
Mike shined as a player early as in his first season as a Virginia Lancer in the ECHL, Mike would compile and impressive eighty-eight points which would list him fifth a top of the ECHL in points.
Mike was always able to perform on the ice and was usually a fan favorite. Recently, Mike helped as a volunteer coach for the Missouri Mavericks of the Central Hockey League.
Mike currently resides in Kansas City, Kansas and is working on a Psychology degree. He also does a lot of public speaking encouraging young kids.
“The NPHL will have a positive influence on every person it interacts with, it is a community involved League at every level.”
“The Business and Marketing Model is a blueprint for success on the ice and off the ice, and I want to do my best to make it successful. I am in this 100% and have told NPHL Commissioner Chuck Harrison that I will leave no stone unturned in helping this league become a success! I am looking forward to helping these new franchises any way I can, I have played a lot of places and I know what works, and what does not work. Chuck and I have agreed that a hockey organizations greatest asset is not it’s players, or sponsors or owners, it’s their FANS! This league will be Community oriented from day one. That is part of the model, without fans, without the community, we will not succeed.”
For potential owners Mike says “ The NPHL has looked at every possible situation and has been able to weed out the positives and the negatives of owning a team, it is important that the owners know and understand that , as a whole we know what it takes to make it work, and we have provided that in our Business Model. There is no hidden agenda, it is all there, we just want people who are as passionate about hockey and the community their franchise is in, as we here at the NPHL are!” “We will be there every step along the way, and will continue to be there each year.”