Post by dogcatcher on Sept 4, 2007 6:07:13 GMT -4
Sea Dogs look good with fresh coat of paint
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday September 4th, 2007
Appeared on page B5
It seems everything about the Saint John Sea Dogs is new this year.
Not only is the on-ice outlook bright - which is new - but the off-ice picture also has a fresh coat of paint.
Down at the dressing room, athletic therapist Jeff Kelly takes over for the departed Etienne Fallou.
He'll share quarters with equipment man David Kelly, who has kept things running smoothly inside the dressing room walls since Day 1.
No. 1 assistant coach Jim Midgley has made a smooth transition from the university level, where he worked at Acadia, to be head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu's right-hand man. He replaces Dwayne Blais, who opted to return to Ontario after just one season in Saint John.
Former senior player Bob Kaine, is the No. 2 assistant this season, replacing Mike Dawson, who will soon move to Ontario to enter the world of investments.
Greg Leland, a former midget and senior coach in the city, is the team's new eye in the sky, working from the press box and helping break down video.
The front office is all about energy this year with five key staff members between 25 and 30 years old driving the engine.
They join a couple of veterans, who will provide wisdom and guidance.
Sea Dogs' president Wayne Long has added plenty of responsibility to his plate, taking on the duties of departed executive director David Turk, who has joined the Boston Bruins front office as their director of marketing.
Shana Aker is switching from community services to concentrate on the season-ticket base and key account management. In other words, it's her job to make sure the corporate partners are happy as well as the season-ticket holders.
Josh Ferguson is back for his second season as corporate sales manager. He's in charge of signage inside the building, from board advertising to back-lit signs.
Rick Bowness Jr. has joined the front-office team as the man in charge of media, communications and marketing. He comes armed with similar experience working with the Arizona Sting of the National Lacrosse League. He will take over from Ken Moore, who did much of the heavy lifting through the first two seasons. Moore will remain with the team in the capacity of a special projects officer and administrative advisor.
"Sometimes you do need a sober second thought and Ken provides that," said Long. "He's been with us from Day 1 and he's absolutely invaluable to our organization."
Mark Gamble comes on board as community services manager. His duties include school visits by the players, minor hockey visits, etc., as well as game-night promotions. He replaces the unmistakable Wayne Cryderman, who is no longer with the organization.
"This is certainly not meant to be a slight on anything done in the past, but sometimes it appeared we were doing too much," said Long.
While not wanting to be specific for fear of offending anyone, Long declined to offer examples.
One example might be the "Battle of the Bands".
The idea was good, but at times it was too loud and in your face.
Long said the feedback he's received included comments such as, "Sometimes we just want to talk on the concourse during intermissions. We don't constantly need things going on."
That's not to say intermissions will be morgue-like.
"We're learning that sometimes less is more," said Long. "Our feeling is, 'Let's do a few things very well and make it very entertaining. It's a case of choosing quality over quantity."
Trisha Erb is back for another season with the Sea Dogs as the front office coordinator. She's the glue that keeps things together. Combine that youthful enthusiasm with the wisdom of accountants Kathy Munro and Brian Boyle, and Long thinks he's got a winning recipe.
"As our hockey team goes to the next level, we feel it's very important that the administration side goes with it," said Long.
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday September 4th, 2007
Appeared on page B5
It seems everything about the Saint John Sea Dogs is new this year.
Not only is the on-ice outlook bright - which is new - but the off-ice picture also has a fresh coat of paint.
Down at the dressing room, athletic therapist Jeff Kelly takes over for the departed Etienne Fallou.
He'll share quarters with equipment man David Kelly, who has kept things running smoothly inside the dressing room walls since Day 1.
No. 1 assistant coach Jim Midgley has made a smooth transition from the university level, where he worked at Acadia, to be head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu's right-hand man. He replaces Dwayne Blais, who opted to return to Ontario after just one season in Saint John.
Former senior player Bob Kaine, is the No. 2 assistant this season, replacing Mike Dawson, who will soon move to Ontario to enter the world of investments.
Greg Leland, a former midget and senior coach in the city, is the team's new eye in the sky, working from the press box and helping break down video.
The front office is all about energy this year with five key staff members between 25 and 30 years old driving the engine.
They join a couple of veterans, who will provide wisdom and guidance.
Sea Dogs' president Wayne Long has added plenty of responsibility to his plate, taking on the duties of departed executive director David Turk, who has joined the Boston Bruins front office as their director of marketing.
Shana Aker is switching from community services to concentrate on the season-ticket base and key account management. In other words, it's her job to make sure the corporate partners are happy as well as the season-ticket holders.
Josh Ferguson is back for his second season as corporate sales manager. He's in charge of signage inside the building, from board advertising to back-lit signs.
Rick Bowness Jr. has joined the front-office team as the man in charge of media, communications and marketing. He comes armed with similar experience working with the Arizona Sting of the National Lacrosse League. He will take over from Ken Moore, who did much of the heavy lifting through the first two seasons. Moore will remain with the team in the capacity of a special projects officer and administrative advisor.
"Sometimes you do need a sober second thought and Ken provides that," said Long. "He's been with us from Day 1 and he's absolutely invaluable to our organization."
Mark Gamble comes on board as community services manager. His duties include school visits by the players, minor hockey visits, etc., as well as game-night promotions. He replaces the unmistakable Wayne Cryderman, who is no longer with the organization.
"This is certainly not meant to be a slight on anything done in the past, but sometimes it appeared we were doing too much," said Long.
While not wanting to be specific for fear of offending anyone, Long declined to offer examples.
One example might be the "Battle of the Bands".
The idea was good, but at times it was too loud and in your face.
Long said the feedback he's received included comments such as, "Sometimes we just want to talk on the concourse during intermissions. We don't constantly need things going on."
That's not to say intermissions will be morgue-like.
"We're learning that sometimes less is more," said Long. "Our feeling is, 'Let's do a few things very well and make it very entertaining. It's a case of choosing quality over quantity."
Trisha Erb is back for another season with the Sea Dogs as the front office coordinator. She's the glue that keeps things together. Combine that youthful enthusiasm with the wisdom of accountants Kathy Munro and Brian Boyle, and Long thinks he's got a winning recipe.
"As our hockey team goes to the next level, we feel it's very important that the administration side goes with it," said Long.
