Post by WHA on Jun 15, 2009 16:21:07 GMT -5
Hotchkiss backs Phoenix
Coyotes need to sort out problems
By ERIC FRANCIS, SUN MEDIA
Harley Hotchkiss doesn't want an NHL team moved to Hamilton at the expense of the Coyotes. (Sun Media/Lyle Aspinall)
Harley Hotchkiss would love to see another hockey team in Southern Ontario.
After all, the former chair of the NHL board of governors is from tiny Tillsonburg, Ont., an hour away Hamilton.
However, while he's sure a team there would be viable thanks to the CBA he helped draw up, he doesn't want a team moved there at the expense of the Phoenix Coyotes.
"I think the league has a real obligation to keep the team there, and it's critically important that you just can't move teams," a candid Hotchkiss said yesterday at Eau Claire Market, where the tireless Flames owner and philanthropist was Honorary Chair of the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion event.
"There is a process, and if there wasn't, Pittsburgh wouldn't be where they are."
Frankly put, he's not sure the Flames would still be here either following the attendance, currency and on-ice woes the club suffered through a decade ago.
"I look back, and without the help of the league, currency equalization and the fans we wouldn't be here," said the 81-year-old Hall of Famer and Order of Canada recipient.
"Phoenix deserves every chance. Can they make it? I don't know. But you have to give local fans every chance to support it. Look at Pitttsburgh. It wasn't all that long ago they were perilously close to moving. It's a good example of how the league fulfilled its responsibility there."
While some fans may disagree with his stance, are pulling for Jim Balsillie and are content to write off any chance of a desert resurgence, Hotchkiss' thoughts reflect that of most league governors who've been told by the league to keep their thoughts to themselves. Hotchkiss recently handed Flames governor duties to Murray Edwards.
As an aside, Hotchkiss demonstrated again why he's one of the most admired men in Calgary yesterday by showing up at the event in a wheelchair following two extensive spinal cord surgeries that recently had him recovering in Foothills Hospital for 10 days. Despite being begged by his staff to rest at home, he wheeled up to the event aimed at raising money for spinal cord injury research.
Those who've read his recently-released book, Hat Trick: A Life in the hockey rink, oil patch and community, know this country is a better place because of people like him.
Now more notes, quotes and anecdotes from a sports world wondering if Marian Hossa will now re-join the Pens.
AROUND THE HORN
Casey Printers is the feel good story of the CFL season. You have to feel good when you see a guy who was once so arrogant and selfish resort to shameless begging for a third-string job with a Lions club he'd slagged after they'd helped him land an NFL gig. That's karma, my friends ... Just wondering: Any chance part of Joe Nieuwendyk's motivation for hiring Marc Crawford was to get him off the air? ... With all due respect to Dany Heatley (and all due disrespect to media types who throw out baseless trade rumours), a Heatley swap for Dion Phaneuf is a laughable prospect. Not only has Darryl Sutter made it clear his re-tooling of the team will be based entirely around defence, but Phaneuf also happens to be an adopted Sutter.
PARTING GIFTS
One of the saddest things about pro sports today is that players always win after issuing a trade demand. Long gone are the days you strove to mend fences and make the best of a situation. The easiest remedy now is simply to demand out: What a great lesson for kids ... Best name in baseball belongs to A's pitcher Josh Outman. Lucas Bloodoff owns a similar title amongst hockey players ... Hockey fans can now start looking forward to announcements concerning invitees to Team Canada's fall camp scheduled for Father Bauer Arena Aug. 24-28. It is there Bruins jack-of-all trades, Milan Lucic, is bound to impress.
Coyotes need to sort out problems
By ERIC FRANCIS, SUN MEDIA
Harley Hotchkiss doesn't want an NHL team moved to Hamilton at the expense of the Coyotes. (Sun Media/Lyle Aspinall)
Harley Hotchkiss would love to see another hockey team in Southern Ontario.
After all, the former chair of the NHL board of governors is from tiny Tillsonburg, Ont., an hour away Hamilton.
However, while he's sure a team there would be viable thanks to the CBA he helped draw up, he doesn't want a team moved there at the expense of the Phoenix Coyotes.
"I think the league has a real obligation to keep the team there, and it's critically important that you just can't move teams," a candid Hotchkiss said yesterday at Eau Claire Market, where the tireless Flames owner and philanthropist was Honorary Chair of the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion event.
"There is a process, and if there wasn't, Pittsburgh wouldn't be where they are."
Frankly put, he's not sure the Flames would still be here either following the attendance, currency and on-ice woes the club suffered through a decade ago.
"I look back, and without the help of the league, currency equalization and the fans we wouldn't be here," said the 81-year-old Hall of Famer and Order of Canada recipient.
"Phoenix deserves every chance. Can they make it? I don't know. But you have to give local fans every chance to support it. Look at Pitttsburgh. It wasn't all that long ago they were perilously close to moving. It's a good example of how the league fulfilled its responsibility there."
While some fans may disagree with his stance, are pulling for Jim Balsillie and are content to write off any chance of a desert resurgence, Hotchkiss' thoughts reflect that of most league governors who've been told by the league to keep their thoughts to themselves. Hotchkiss recently handed Flames governor duties to Murray Edwards.
As an aside, Hotchkiss demonstrated again why he's one of the most admired men in Calgary yesterday by showing up at the event in a wheelchair following two extensive spinal cord surgeries that recently had him recovering in Foothills Hospital for 10 days. Despite being begged by his staff to rest at home, he wheeled up to the event aimed at raising money for spinal cord injury research.
Those who've read his recently-released book, Hat Trick: A Life in the hockey rink, oil patch and community, know this country is a better place because of people like him.
Now more notes, quotes and anecdotes from a sports world wondering if Marian Hossa will now re-join the Pens.
AROUND THE HORN
Casey Printers is the feel good story of the CFL season. You have to feel good when you see a guy who was once so arrogant and selfish resort to shameless begging for a third-string job with a Lions club he'd slagged after they'd helped him land an NFL gig. That's karma, my friends ... Just wondering: Any chance part of Joe Nieuwendyk's motivation for hiring Marc Crawford was to get him off the air? ... With all due respect to Dany Heatley (and all due disrespect to media types who throw out baseless trade rumours), a Heatley swap for Dion Phaneuf is a laughable prospect. Not only has Darryl Sutter made it clear his re-tooling of the team will be based entirely around defence, but Phaneuf also happens to be an adopted Sutter.
PARTING GIFTS
One of the saddest things about pro sports today is that players always win after issuing a trade demand. Long gone are the days you strove to mend fences and make the best of a situation. The easiest remedy now is simply to demand out: What a great lesson for kids ... Best name in baseball belongs to A's pitcher Josh Outman. Lucas Bloodoff owns a similar title amongst hockey players ... Hockey fans can now start looking forward to announcements concerning invitees to Team Canada's fall camp scheduled for Father Bauer Arena Aug. 24-28. It is there Bruins jack-of-all trades, Milan Lucic, is bound to impress.