Mark Chipman is the Executive Chairman of the Board of True North Sports & Entertainment Limited which operates the MTS Centre, the Winnipeg Jets and MTS Iceplex. As well, he serves as Governor of the Winnipeg Jets on the National Hockey League’s Board of Governors and is also the chair of the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation.
In the spring of 2011, Chipman, along with business partner David Thomson, purchased the Atlanta Thrashers and relocated the team to Winnipeg, Manitoba. The team was re-named the Winnipeg Jets by Chipman at the 2011 NHL entry draft.
In July 2012, Chipman received the Order of Manitoba, which was established to recognize Manitobans who have benefited the social, cultural and economic well-being of the province.
After his active involvement in the community’s unsuccessful attempt to retain its first NHL franchise, Chipman entered the business of professional hockey in 1996 through the acquisition and relocation of the Minnesota Moose to Winnipeg. Chipman was named President and Alternate Governor of the Manitoba Moose prior to the International Hockey League’s (IHL) 1996-97 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 for ten years including a term as the Chairman of the league’s Strategic Planning Committee.
At the conclusion of the 2004-05 season, Chipman was honored with the AHL’s James C. Hendy award as the league’s top executive for his role in leading a private sector group which oversaw the successful completion and opening of the MTS Centre in November of 2004. Following the 2010-11 season, Chipman received the Thomas Ebright award from the AHL for his career contributions to the league.
Throughout his IHL/AHL career, Chipman established a strong working relationship with the NHL and quietly began the process studying the possible return of NHL hockey to Winnipeg in 2007.
In addition to his business and hockey interests, Chipman is actively involved in a number of Winnipeg community efforts. Mark and his wife Patti have both played major roles with the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation, formerly The Manitoba Moose Yearling Foundation since its inception in 1996.
