Post by dogcatcher on Dec 4, 2007 8:13:14 GMT -4
McCain plans to stick with Sea Dogs for the long haul
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday December 4th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
We've all seen it - that look on your father's face when you present him with what you consider to be a pretty bright idea. He, on the other hand, isn't so sure.
Scott McCain has seen it.
He saw it when he told his father, Wallace, that he wanted to get into the business of major junior hockey.
"His first reaction was, 'What are you doing that for? Haven't you got a better place to invest your money?'"
McCain is the majority owner of the Saint John Sea Dogs after having forked over 70 per cent of the $3-million purchase price and $1 million in startup costs.
After growing up in Florenceville and now settled in Toronto as the chief operating officer of Maple Leaf Foods Ltd., the 51-year-old is in constant contact with his partners - the local ownership group in Saint John known as Major Sports - keeping close tabs on his Sea Dogs.
He was in town over the weekend, in fact, showing off his franchise to his father for the first time. Wallace McCain took part in the ceremonial opening faceoff for Saturday's game against the No. 3-ranked team in the country, the Halifax Mooseheads. Saint John won 4-2 and followed it up with a convincing 10-3 victory over the P.E.I. Rocket on Sunday. The Sea Dogs are tied for fifth overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with a record of 19-7-1-2 for 41 points. Only the Mooseheads have fewer losses with six.
"When we first got the team, I wanted my dad to come down and see a game and he said he'd only come if we were going to win. I told him to stay home, then," said McCain, laughing, as he flashed back to the first two seasons which were a struggle. "After seeing how passionate I was about it, he understands."
McCain was heading up one of three local groups that were exploring the idea of landing a franchise in the QMJHL when it became apparent the Saint John Flames' American Hockey League days were numbered.
McCain was up against former Flames' owner Nick Georgoudis and his partners and Wayne Long and his partners.
A number of events led to the merger of the Long and McCain groups, not the least of which was the asking price going from $2 million to $3 million.
"When the price started to go to $3 million, we decided to join forces," said McCain. "It was exactly the right call. Major junior hockey works best when the owner is in the shop every day and we've got that."
The drastic hike in the expansion fee came as a result of a Newfoundland group's willingness to pay whatever it took to land a team for St. John's.
"I thought the Newfoundlanders were crazy," said McCain. "I thought the price of the franchise was too high, and not thought through very carefully.
"Fast forward to three years later, do I think the price was too high? The answer is still yes.
"They led with their nose and now they've got a bloody nose."
He was referring to the Fog Devils' struggles at the gate this year as the honeymoon in St. John's appears to be over. The Fog Devils are averaging about 3,000 per game.
With the Sea Dogs averaging 3,740 through 16 games this year, McCain is not satisfied but he's not throwing in the towel, either. Far from it.
He's looking forward to a long and healthy run with the Sea Dogs.
"Our job is to manage the product on the ice and run it in a tight business fashion," he said. "The quality of people in our front office is higher than ever. We're trying to run the hockey team like we do a business. It's a matter of being patient. I'm in for the long haul but I'm in it to be successful, too. If we have to make tweaks and adjustments, we'll do it.
"We have to do a better job in terms of being more focused on season-ticket selling efforts.
"As far as this year goes, the horse has already left the barn but we're looking forward to next year."
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday December 4th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
We've all seen it - that look on your father's face when you present him with what you consider to be a pretty bright idea. He, on the other hand, isn't so sure.
Scott McCain has seen it.
He saw it when he told his father, Wallace, that he wanted to get into the business of major junior hockey.
"His first reaction was, 'What are you doing that for? Haven't you got a better place to invest your money?'"
McCain is the majority owner of the Saint John Sea Dogs after having forked over 70 per cent of the $3-million purchase price and $1 million in startup costs.
After growing up in Florenceville and now settled in Toronto as the chief operating officer of Maple Leaf Foods Ltd., the 51-year-old is in constant contact with his partners - the local ownership group in Saint John known as Major Sports - keeping close tabs on his Sea Dogs.
He was in town over the weekend, in fact, showing off his franchise to his father for the first time. Wallace McCain took part in the ceremonial opening faceoff for Saturday's game against the No. 3-ranked team in the country, the Halifax Mooseheads. Saint John won 4-2 and followed it up with a convincing 10-3 victory over the P.E.I. Rocket on Sunday. The Sea Dogs are tied for fifth overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with a record of 19-7-1-2 for 41 points. Only the Mooseheads have fewer losses with six.
"When we first got the team, I wanted my dad to come down and see a game and he said he'd only come if we were going to win. I told him to stay home, then," said McCain, laughing, as he flashed back to the first two seasons which were a struggle. "After seeing how passionate I was about it, he understands."
McCain was heading up one of three local groups that were exploring the idea of landing a franchise in the QMJHL when it became apparent the Saint John Flames' American Hockey League days were numbered.
McCain was up against former Flames' owner Nick Georgoudis and his partners and Wayne Long and his partners.
A number of events led to the merger of the Long and McCain groups, not the least of which was the asking price going from $2 million to $3 million.
"When the price started to go to $3 million, we decided to join forces," said McCain. "It was exactly the right call. Major junior hockey works best when the owner is in the shop every day and we've got that."
The drastic hike in the expansion fee came as a result of a Newfoundland group's willingness to pay whatever it took to land a team for St. John's.
"I thought the Newfoundlanders were crazy," said McCain. "I thought the price of the franchise was too high, and not thought through very carefully.
"Fast forward to three years later, do I think the price was too high? The answer is still yes.
"They led with their nose and now they've got a bloody nose."
He was referring to the Fog Devils' struggles at the gate this year as the honeymoon in St. John's appears to be over. The Fog Devils are averaging about 3,000 per game.
With the Sea Dogs averaging 3,740 through 16 games this year, McCain is not satisfied but he's not throwing in the towel, either. Far from it.
He's looking forward to a long and healthy run with the Sea Dogs.
"Our job is to manage the product on the ice and run it in a tight business fashion," he said. "The quality of people in our front office is higher than ever. We're trying to run the hockey team like we do a business. It's a matter of being patient. I'm in for the long haul but I'm in it to be successful, too. If we have to make tweaks and adjustments, we'll do it.
"We have to do a better job in terms of being more focused on season-ticket selling efforts.
"As far as this year goes, the horse has already left the barn but we're looking forward to next year."