2012 – Mark Chipman

Mark Chipman

Mark Chipman has been the Governor for the Winnipeg Jets on the National Hockey League’s Board of Governors, as well as Chairman of the Board for True North Sports & Entertainment Limited which operates the MTS Centre, the Winnipeg Jets, and the MTS Iceplex.

In the spring of 2011, Chipman, along with business partner David Thomson, purchased the Atlanta Thrashers and relocated the team to Winnipeg.

From 1996-2011, Chipman owned and operated the Manitoba Moose, which transitioned from the International Hockey League to the American Hockey League upon completion of the 2000-2001 season.

Chipman brought the Manitoba Moose to Winnipeg in the spring of 1996, when the International Hockey League (IHL) announced that a group headed by Chipman had earned that right. Chipman was the new franchise’s President and was named an Alternate International League Governor as the Manitoba Moose began playing in the 1996-97 IHL season.

At the end of the 2000-01 season, Chipman represented several former IHL members through negotiations that ultimately led to the acceptance of six IHL teams into the American Hockey League (AHL). He was a member of the AHL’s executive committee and served as the chairman of the league’s strategic planning committee during the crucial time surrounding the uncertain NHL labour situation.

At the conclusion of the 2004-05 season, Chipman was honoured with the AHL’s James C. Hendy award as the league’s top executive as he spearheaded the private sector group which oversaw the successful completion and opening in November 2004 of the new state-of-the-art MTS Centre entertainment complex in Winnipeg.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Chipman attended the University of North Dakota where he lettered in varsity football while earning an Honours B.A. in Economics and a Juris Doctorate Degree in Law. He also holds the position of President of the Winnipeg-based Megill-Stephenson Company.

In addition to his business and hockey interests, Chipman is actively involved in a number of Winnipeg community efforts. Mark and his wife Patti both play major roles in the events of the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation, formerly The Manitoba Moose Yearling Foundation, that has raised $2.5 million since its inception in October, 1996.