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Herb Brooks Foundation names Jon Cherney as new executive director

By Barclay Kruse, Herb Brooks Foundation Media, 03/15/18, 12:30PM CDT

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Blaine, Minn. (March 15, 2018) – The Herb Brooks Foundation (HBF) has appointed a new executive director to replace retiring John McClellan.

Jon L. Cherney comes to the position with a strong background in sports broadcasting and sports marketing, as well as a personal commitment to the mission of the Herb Brooks Foundation – to grow hockey at the grassroots level, especially among those who can least afford it.


Jon L. Cherney, new executive director of the Herb Brooks Foundation.

Cherney has held several positions in broadcasting sales and marketing, including Director of Sales at Midwest Sports Channel, the predecessor of Fox Sports North, and most recently as the Director of Digital Sales and Strategy at Hubbard Broadcasting. He also brings a strong personal passion for the sport of hockey, and introducing the sport to new populations.

Herb Brooks Foundation chair Ross Bernstein praised Cherney as the best candidate from a strong pool of applicants.

“Jon comes to this position with a great portfolio in marketing and branding, and a commitment to growth, which we have identified as a priority for the Herb Brooks Foundation,” said Bernstein.

The search for a new executive director for the Herb Brooks Foundation began last November after McClellan, who served as the HBF’s executive director since 2011, announced his retirement.

“It is an unbelievable honor and privilege to be named the Executive Director of the Herb Brooks Foundation,” said Cherney. “Herb Brooks was a storied coach, a John Wooden-like figure in coaching. Building on his legacy, and carrying his vision to new generations, is personally important to me. I am humbled to have this opportunity.”

During McClellan’s tenure as director, enrollment in the Foundation’s programs quadrupled to over 1,200 young players, and its Rink Rats after-school and evening programs are now held at 16 locations in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

“We redefined and focused the mission of the Foundation,” said McClellan. “That’s what enabled the subsequent growth in our programs. We focused our energy on doing what others weren’t.”

“The Foundation is strong, and we’ve created some unique programs,” said Cherney. “My goal is to build on the accomplishments of the past and accelerate our growth.”

Cherney assumed his responsibilities on March 12.