Dave Ogrean is in his second stint as the executive director of USA Hockey and his third tour with the organization. Ogrean was the executive director form 1993 to 1999. He was also the organization’s director of public relations from 1978 to 1980.

Air Force hockey coach Frank Serratore was No. 20, followed by USOC Communications Director Darryl Seibel, Pacific Coast League President Branch B. Rickey III, running legend Matt Carpenter, Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Director Paul Butcher, Sports Corp. Communications Director Mike Moran and Mayor Lionel Rivera.

His past includes a stretch where he was in charge of growing USA Football.

But it’s USA Hockey that’s growing under Ogrean. Actually, hockey in general is growing and USA Hockey is leading the way. There are more rinks than ever. There are more teams and more players, too.

“When you have a couple of kids off the California wave recruited to attend our National Team Development Program, that says something,” Ogrean recently told USA Today. “That would have been unheard of back then. Just look at the hometowns on our national team rosters; it’s just a much greater footprint.”

Since returning in 2005, Ogrean has steered USA Hockey in acquiring the rights to host three International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships – 2009 World Men’s Under-18 Championship, 2011 World Under-20 Championship and 2012 World Women’s Championship.

Ogrean also played a major role in USA Hockey securing significant development funding from the NHL – funding that helps secure the continued growth of the sport.

About the list

Continuing until Aug. 24, The Gazette will chronicle the 20 Most Influential Sports Figures in the Colorado Springs area.

We compiled a list of local sports power brokers and e-mailed it to numerous movers and shakers of the Colorado Springs sports community. They, and some members of our sports staff, had the not-so-simple task of telling us who would be on their list – in order from No. 1 to No. 20.

We received 37 full lists, partial lists and lists of all the people we should’ve added to the original list.Folks with more than 20 were asked to whittle it down. Folks with fewer than 20 were asked to increase the number.

In the end, we received 22 lists of 20.

Twenty points were awarded to every first-place vote. Second place votes received 19 points, third place 18, fourth place 17 and so on – 440 points were possible.

The person with the most points received the highest rank.On the 24th, when we reveal No. 1, we will also reveal the total number of votes each of the 20 people received. There will be an “others receiving votes category.”

Media members were ineligible to receive votes.Also on the 24th, on gazettedev.gazette.com you will be able to give us your arrangement of the 20 finalists.

Michael Garman Photo by