Oak View Group manages seven arenas that are home to AHL teams
The 2025 AHL All-Star Game went off without a hitch, highlighting the partnership between the AHL and Oak View Group.
Formed in 2015, Oak View Group is a venue development company who manage seven arenas that are home to AHL teams, including the Iowa Wild, Hartford Wolfpack, Colorado Eagles, Providence Bruins, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Bridgeport Islanders, and Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Earlier this week we dove into how the OVG and the AHL worked to put on the All-Star Game.
The handling of so many franchises and events has cultivated a close relationship between the AHL and OVG, one that started before the company formed.
Chairman and CEO of the Oak View Group Tim Leiweke previously served as President and Governor of Los Angeles Kings, President of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and was instrumental in the development of Climate Pledge Arena.
Peter Luukko, Co-Chair of Oak View Group’s Arena and Stadium Alliance, spent a combined 25 years as President of the Philadelphia Flyers and Executive Chairman of the Florida Panthers.
Chris Granger is the President of OVG360, he previously oversaw business operations for Ilitch Sports and Entertainment, serving as President of the Detroit Red Wings from 2017-2021.
These longstanding ties to the NHL have naturally drawn OVG and the AHL to a working partnership.
“We have an outstanding relationship with the American Hockey League. . . We're hockey people, hockey roots. I think we understand what the teams need in terms of a facility, it's important that any team in any league plays in first class facilities with a management group that really cares about their concerns, not only from the hockey side but just as importantly the business side,” Luukko told The Hockey News in a virtual interview.
Luukko also noted he has known AHL CEO Scott Howson since Howson was General Manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“We may not legally be partners all the time, but we consider ourselves to have a great partnership with all leagues, and especially the American Hockey League,” he said.
OVG pride themselves on attracting patrons to their arenas by creating an entertaining atmosphere inside and outside the arena.
“Game presentation, food specials, total entertainment. . .the minor league piece is certainly more family affordable entertainment. When you can combine the two, you can have an impact on a marketplace,” said Luukko.
Creating an environment that attracts locals has helped bring more attention to minor league hockey and introduce people in non-traditional markets to the sport.
Coachella Valley and Iowa, two of OVG’s teams in unique hockey markets, sit near the top of the AHL in average fan attendance.
“What we're really finding out is that it's a fun experience, people love to come to a game. They love the experience at the arena. There's a lot to do, you're activating inside and outside the venue, and it's just great for family or a night out for couples, dates, or anything…there's hockey fans in every market, but maybe what this does is it becomes the fun event to do in a marketplace,” said Luukko.
The relationship between OVG and the AHL goes behind the ice, the two have collaborated on numerous community events, including learn to play programs and a recent visit to a local Coachella Valley elementary school from AHL All-Stars, Anson Carter, and Anthony Stewart.
“We rolled out floor hockey programs to all the school districts here in the Coachella Valley, they became so successful that they've incorporated it into their physical education curriculum, so it's part of their PE program,” John Page, Senior Vice President of Acrisure Arena told The Hockey News.
“We supplied sticks and balls, just to get the kids familiar with what hockey is even though it's not on ice, there's no rinks other than our practice sheet.”
When OVG partnered with the Seattle Kraken to find a location for the newest AHL franchise they worked with the league to find a non-traditional market that suited the needs of the Kraken and geographical needs of the AHL.
When asked what separates Oak View Group’s arenas from other arenas, Luukko said, “We create memories, we come to work every day knowing that we create memories and everything we do in whatever discipline it is, is to make sure the fan and the patron has has a fantastic time and leaves making a great memory and want to come back.”
As for what’s next in their relationship with the AHL, Oak View Group are currently in the midst of renovating FirstOntario Centre (formerly Copps Coliseum) in Hamilton, Ont., which housed the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs from 1996 to 2015.
With the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs now set to remain in Brantford there will be lots of speculation as to whether or not OVG can bring another team to Hamilton once the renovations are complete.
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