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2012 DI STINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD One of the crowning moments in a truly successful life for Peter Karmanos came in 2006 when his Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. P Karmanos' Puck Passion Rivaled Only By His Business Acumen It's no surprise then that his continued support for hockey at all levels has produced an incred- ible number of competitive teams and provided opportunities for American players to have suc- cess at the highest levels of the game. But before he helped to found Compuware in 1973, the billion-dollar technology performance company, and before he had enough money to own three hockey teams, including the Hartford Whalers, the one-time NHL doormat that he turned into a Stanley Cup champion, he was just a kid who loved to watch hockey. eter Karmanos has always attacked his passions with the same spirit and drive that helped him become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in America. "First and foremost, hockey was my favorite sport from a spectator point of view," Karmanos said in a 2006 interview with USA Hockey Magazine. "As a kid growing up in Detroit, I liked it better than the Lions and the Tigers." Karmanos has not only experienced enormous success as executive chairman of the board at Compuware, he has also been the driving force in helping his youth hockey club excel and grow into one of America's most successful club programs. Over its 40-year history, Compuware has pro- duced a number of players who went on to illus- trious hockey careers – both on the international stage and in the NHL – including Pat LaFontaine, Al Iafrate, Mike Modano, Eric Lindros and Kevin Hatcher. "We were very good at insisting and convinc- ing the kids that they were as good, if not better, than other people their age in the country," Karmanos said. Karmanos has received numerous awards and honors, among them being the prestigious Lester Patrick Trophy in 1998 for his outstanding ser- vice to hockey in the United States. N 10 USA Hockey 75TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAM in becoming the first American club to play in the Ontario Hockey League, Karmanos set his eyes on the NHL. In 1994, he acquired the Hartford Whalers and became the principle owner, gov- ernor and chief executive officer of the team. Two years later, he relocated the club to Raleigh, N.C., and changed the name of the franchise to the Carolina Hurricanes. Since the team's arrival in North Carolina, the Hurricanes have enjoyed much success, highlight- ed by winning the Stanley Cup in 2006. In addi- tion, the team has advanced to the conference finals three times in the last 10 seasons and captured the Eastern Conference title in 2002 and 2006. Off the ice, the Hurricanes have become a key component in the sporting landscape in North Carolina. In 2009, the Hurricanes were recog- nized as the top hockey franchise and second- ranked franchise in all of sports by ESPN in the "Ultimate Standings," a collection of data and survey results that take into account a team's on- ice success as well as its community impact and overall fan experience. The spotlight shined on the Hurricanes franchise again in 2011, when the team and city hosted NHL All-Star Weekend. In the summer of 1998, Karmanos formed Gale Force Holdings to manage his hockey interests, which include the Carolina Hurricanes and the RBC Center; the Florida Everblades of the ECHL and Germain Arena in Ft. Myers, Fla.; and the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL and Compuware Arena. After supporting the now-Plymouth Whalers PAST DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS Created in 1991, the USA Hockey Distinguished Achievement Award is presented annually to a United States citizen who has made hockey his or her profession and has made outstanding contributions, on or off the ice, to the sport in America. The award may recognize achievement in the actual year of presentation, or it may honor a career of work on behalf of hockey. A selection committee consisting of hockey administrators, journalists and former international-level athletes determines the nominees and chooses the winner. 2011 Dennis LaRue (Spokane, Wash.) 2010 Brian Burke (Edina, Minn.) 2009 Lou Nanne (Minneapolis) 2008 Willie O'Ree (San Diego) 2007 Doug Ross (Dearborn, Mich.) 2006 Tim Taylor (Guilford, Conn.) 2005 1980 U.S. Olympic Ice Hockey Team 2004 Mike Eaves (Madison, Wis.) 2003 Brett Hull (Belleville, Ont.) 2002 John Cunniff (South Boston, Mass.) 2001 Herb Brooks (Shoreview, Minn.) 2000 Jeff Sauer (Madison, Wis.) 1999 George Gund III (San Jose, Calif.) 1998 Ben Smith (Gloucester, Mass.) 1997 Ron Wilson (Orange, Calif.) 1996 Neal Broten (Roseau, Minn.) 1995 Joe Mullen (Pittsburgh) 1994 Kevin Constantine (Int. Falls, Minn.) 1993 Pat Lafontaine (Buffalo, N.Y.) 1992 Bill Cleary (Boston) 1991 Bob Johnson (Pittsburgh) PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES, KARMANOS FAMILY