SPRINGFIELD -- Current American Hockey League executive Nathan Costa has been named the Executive Vice President for Springfield's new AHL team.

Costa will lead the franchise's day-to-day business operations, including oversight of marketing, ticket sales, promotion and community engagement. He previously served as the AHL's Vice President of Team Business Services.

Nathan Costa has been named the Executive Vice President of the Springfield AHL team. (Submitted Photo)

"I want to thank the owners for putting their faith in me, and I can't wait to hit the ground running," said Costa, a Springfield native who graduated from Cathedral High School and Northeastern University, in a press release from the team. "I have spent the better part of a decade helping AHL franchises succeed across the league and I see so much untapped potential in Springfield that we will work tirelessly to build on in the years ahead."

The team also announced that Bruce Landon, former Springfield Falcons president and AHL Hall of Fame member, will serve as a team consultant.

Costa and members of the team ownership group, Springfield Hockey LLC, will make the announcement at a press conference Wednesday at Monarch Place at 11 a.m.

"We are thrilled to have Nate on board to lead our franchise," ownership group member Paul Picknelly said in the statement. "He is a rising star in the industry and someone with an unmatched understanding of what makes an AHL franchise successful."

Costa has been with the AHL for more than six years, working with the league's 30 teams to share best practices, improve their business operations, develop staff and assist new franchises.

Costa moved into his current role with the league in 2013 and the AHL has seen considerable growth in overall team revenues each season since. The league set an all-time attendance record in 2015-16 with more than 6 million fans attending an AHL game.

"Nathan's guidance and leadership over the past several years has been instrumental in helping teams throughout the league improve their business practices and ultimately achieve success," AHL President and CEO David Andrews said in a statement released by the team. "I am confident he will be able to do the same for Springfield."

Prior to his time in the league office, Costa worked in ticket sales with the AHL's San Antonio Rampage. During that time, that franchise was recognized for the largest increase in group sales in the Western Conference.

Landon, meanwhile, has been involved in Springfield professional hockey for 47 years and announced his retirement in April.

"I was thrilled when the team asked me to help with this exciting project," Landon said in a statement released by the team. "I have devoted my entire professional career to growing AHL in Springfield and I look forward to working with Nate and his team as we enter this new era."

MassLive will have full coverage of Costa's hiring from Wednesday's press conference.