Hockey Canada Foundation announces new board members

CALGARY, AB – The Hockey Canada Foundation has added three new United States-based directors: Steven Dorfman (Brooklyn Heights, NY), Steve Griggs (Tampa, FL) and Michael Wright (Portland, OR).

“We are excited to add Steven, Steve and Michael to the U.S. arm of our board,” said Doug Goss, chair of the Hockey Canada Foundation Board of Directors. “All three bring tremendous experience in hockey and in the business world, and they will strengthen our group and bring a fresh perspective as we look at continue to make a difference in the game.”

Dorfman, a graduate of Dartmouth University, is the chief executive officer and third generation to run his family’s 102-year-old insurance business. In 1998, Steve started his volunteer hockey administrative career by running a local youth hockey travel organization, the New York City Cyclones. He later became the assistant commissioner and director of discipline for the New York State Amateur Hockey League, overseeing 22 travel organizations for over 12,000 children. Steve also spearheaded various hockey scholarship fundraising efforts for children and families in financial need. Every year, over 6,000 children are supported through these scholarship efforts, providing opportunities to learn, understand teamwork, build friendships and play hockey.

Griggs is the chief executive officer of Vinik Sports Group, which is the parent company for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the lease holding entity for Amalie Arena, along with other sports and entertainment assets. Prior to being named CEO, he spent one year as team president and four years as chief operating officer after joining the organization in 2010. He spearheaded the launch of the new Lightning Made Training Center, a focal point for youth to learn the game and for the team to continue educating off-ice skills. Since 2015, the Lightning, in conjunction with the NHL and NHL Players’ Association, has invested more than $6 million to grow the game of hockey and teach life skills to youth throughout the Tampa Bay community.

Wright began his sports marketing career in 1986 when he joined IMG Canada as the director of national events following a 15-year career in the packaged goods industry. Rising to the position of managing director in 1991, Michael and his team created and guided some of the most memorable tours and events in Canadian sport, including Stars on Ice, the Canadian Skins Game, the Canadian Open golf championship and the World Figure Skating Championships. While at IMG Canada, Michael was also a consultant to the Canadian Olympic Association, the National Hockey League, Molson Companies, Coca Cola and American Express. He later was responsible for driving revenue to support the U.S. Olympic teams competing in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City and 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens, Greece, as he led the IMG Olympic Business Development team as senior vice-president.

Dorfman, Griggs and Wright are joined on the HCF’s U.S. board by Bill Ackerman (chair), Mike Humes (vice-chair) and Adam Graves (secretary).

In addition to the U.S.-based directors, the HCF Board of Directors includes Doug Goss (chair), Ashif Mawji (vice-chair), Peter Brauti (secretary), Allan Matthews (treasurer), David Andrews (past chair) and directors Steve Albiani, Sean Finn, Angela James, Barry F. Lorenzetti and Brad Morris.