Peter Karmanos Jr. facts for kids

Peter Karmanos Jr. was born on March 11, 1943. He is an American businessman. He is well-known for his involvement in ice hockey. He used to own the Carolina Hurricanes team from 1994 to 2018. He also owned other hockey teams like the Plymouth Whalers and the Florida Everblades. He sold his last shares in the Hurricanes in 2021.

Early Life and Business Career

Growing Up in Detroit

Peter Karmanos Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan. He was the oldest of three children. His family came from Greece. They owned a small restaurant in Detroit.

Education and Starting Compuware

Karmanos went to Henry Ford High School. He later graduated from Wayne State University in 1973. Soon after college, he started a software company called Compuware. He founded it with two partners, Thomas Thewes and Allen Cutting.

Leading Compuware

Karmanos was the CEO of Compuware for many years. He became the executive chairman in 2011. He retired from Compuware in 2013. After leaving Compuware, he started a new computer company called Mad Dog Technology.

His Impact on Ice Hockey

Starting Youth Hockey Programs

Karmanos loved hockey. In the late 1970s, he helped start the Detroit Compuware Hockey organization. This group included hockey teams for all ages. It ranged from fun recreational teams to serious youth and junior teams.

Owning Junior Hockey Teams

In 1989, Karmanos was given a new team for the Ontario Hockey League. It was first called the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors. The team changed names a few times. It became the Detroit Junior Red Wings, then the Detroit Whalers. Later, it moved to Plymouth and was called the Plymouth Whalers. In 2015, Karmanos sold the Whalers. The team moved to Flint and became the Flint Firebirds. He also sold the Plymouth arena.

Bringing the Hurricanes to North Carolina

In 1994, Karmanos and his partners bought the Hartford Whalers team. They paid $47.5 million for it. At first, they promised to keep the team in Hartford for at least four years. The governor of Connecticut, Lowell P. Weicker, said Karmanos was important for the team to stay.

However, the team did not sell enough season tickets. Karmanos announced the team would leave Hartford. After the 1996–97 season, the team moved. It went to Raleigh, North Carolina, and was renamed the Carolina Hurricanes. Because of this move, some people in Connecticut are still upset with Karmanos.

Winning the Stanley Cup

The Carolina Hurricanes played in the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals in 2002. They lost to the Detroit Red Wings. But the Hurricanes kept working hard. They went on to win the Stanley Cup in the 2006 season!

After the win, Karmanos put on his skates. He proudly lifted the Stanley Cup and skated around with it. For his special day with the Cup, he brought it to Compuware headquarters. Employees were able to take photos with the famous trophy.

Selling Hockey Teams

Karmanos's company, Gale Force Holdings, owned the Hurricanes. It also owned their stadium, PNC Arena. The company also owned the Florida Everblades, another hockey team. They also owned the Everblades' stadium, Hertz Arena. In 2019, Karmanos sold the Everblades and their arena.

In 2018, Karmanos sold most of his shares in the Hurricanes. He sold them to Thomas Dundon. Karmanos kept a small part of the team for a while. On June 30, 2021, he sold his last shares. This made Thomas Dundon the only owner of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Awards and Recognition

Peter Karmanos Jr. has received many awards for his work in hockey.

• He received the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1998. This award is for great service to hockey.
• He won the Bill Long Award in 2010. This was for his service to the Ontario Hockey League.
• He was added to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.
• In 2015, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. This was in the Builder Category, for people who have helped build the sport.

Karmanos also helps youth hockey programs in Michigan.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Karmanos has given money to help others. He donated to the Michigan Cancer Foundation. In 1995, it was renamed the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. This was in memory of his first wife, Barbara Ann Karmanos. She passed away from breast cancer in 1989.

Peter Karmanos has three children with Barbara. He has four more children with his current wife, Danialle. He also has nine grandchildren.