Power Players: Who has the influence in and with the WHL?

From The Daily News of Friday, Feb. 15, 2008 . . .

Ed Chynoweth no longer is the WHL president. But when the powers-that-be gather around the boardroom table, his is THE voice.
That is what The Daily News learned over the last month as we put together our first WHL Power Poll.
In the process, we contacted people in and around the WHL searching for answers to questions such as:
1. When the WHL goes in behind closed doors, who carries the most weight?
2. Who are the power-brokers?
3. When the governors and general managers of the 22 teams gather around a table, who has the loudest voices?
4. And is there anyone who isn’t employed by the WHL or any of its teams who has influence over or is capable of influencing the direction in which the league goes?
We polled people throughout the WHL, guaranteeing anonymity to all who wanted it in return for honesty, which we received in spades.
And at the end of the day the man known by friend and foe as Big Ed emerged as the person with the loudest voice and the biggest influence in and around the WHL.
Chynoweth, 66, may be battling health problems these days, but that hasn’t lessened the sway he has on the WHL and its 22 teams.
A native of Coleville, Sask., a community 26 kilometres north of Kindersley, Chynoweth moved to Saskatoon at the age of 15 and over time went from refereeing minor hockey to president of the Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association. Eventually, he was hired by Saskatoon Blades owner Jim Piggott as assistant general manager under Jack McLeod, the GM/head coach. One thing led to another and in November 1972, Chynoweth was hired as president of what was then the Western Canada Hockey League.
Other than a one-year stint as general manager of the Calgary Wranglers, Chynoweth was the league president from 1972-96 and the president of the Canadian Hockey League, the umbrella organization that oversees all of major junior hockey, from 1975-96.
These days he is the majority owner, governor and president of the Kootenay Ice. His son, Jeff, who is known to some as Little Ed, is the club’s alternate governor, vice-president and general manager.
Another son, Dean, is a former WHL defenceman who now is the GM/head coach of the Swift Current Broncos.
Is it any wonder, then, that the WHL is so near and dear to Big Ed’s heart?
In a 40-minute conversation, Chynoweth mentions his franchise, the Cranbrook-based Ice, only a time or two. It doesn’t matter that his franchise is hardly the biggest, the brightest or the best in the WHL, because he understands better than anyone that his league is only as strong as its weakest partner.
So he much prefers to talk about the league. And it is a league that he knows awfully well; after all, he has been there almost since the beginning, since the days of Bill Hunter and Scotty Munro and Ben Hatskin . . .
Hunter ran the Edmonton Oil Kings. Munro was the man in Calgary. Hatskin operated the Winnipeg Jr. Jets and would sign Bobby Hull to hockey’s first $1-million deal with the WHA’s Winnipeg Jets.
“In ’72 when I started, Hunter and Munro were definitely the kingpins,” Chynoweth says from his Calgary home. “They were the full-time guys. Then they finally brought Benny Hatskin onside. Munro would manufacture the bullets . . . Hunter would fire them . . . and, when they needed money, they’d go to Benny.
“I think I resigned three times in the first two years and it was because of the way they tested you. And yet, at the end of it, it was the greatest training I’ve ever had.”
History shows that the Big Three knew what they wanted — a firm hand to run their league, but a hand that had been shaped, at least in part, by them.
Chynoweth chuckles as the memories flood back.
“Scotty used to tell me: Ed, the best government is a dictatorship . . . if you can find a fair dictator,” he says. “He believed that. I inherited that. Whether I deserved it or whether I earned it or what. . . .”
They’re all gone now — the Hunters, the Munros, the Hatskins — but Chynoweth remembers one thing above all, and it’s something he feels is missing from the WHL today.
“The founding fathers, the Hunters and Munros, had a vision and as much as they tested you at the end of the day they would come clean and it was what was best for the league. I don’t think we have that now,” Chynoweth says. “We need to sit down and say, ‘Hey, where are we going with this?’ ”
Chynoweth always has had that kind of vision. It was Chynoweth, before anyone else, who when he saw his first VCR recognized immediately that things were about to change for a league that relies on live gates.
“No longer,” he repeated time and time again, “can we open the doors to our arenas and expect people to walk through.”
He was right.
And today, with all of the entertainment options available to consumers, he knows that is truer than it has ever been.
Chynoweth says that when he started with the league, Calgary and Edmonton were the big spenders — their budgets are about $150,000.
My, but how times have changed. The lowest budgets in the WHL this season are in the $1.3-million range.
“Our costs continue to go up,” he says, “and we don’t have any added revenue.”
Which is why the board of governors met in Calgary earlier this month and spent two days talking about a number of things, almost all of which would fall under the heading of fiscal sustainability and responsibility.
Chynoweth’s voice is a little weaker than it was in the days when he ran the WHL with an iron fist. His energy level is not what it used to be. But he still has that charisma, that aura that surrounds those who are natural born leaders.
And that is why he continues to be the WHL’s greatest asset.
It comes as no real surprise that the people with the most power and influence are those who have been around the longest. As one governor put it, it’s kind of a “been there, done that” thing in terms of experience.
Here then is The Daily News’ first WHL Power Poll:
1. Ed Chynoweth, Kootenay Ice (governor, president): The Ice’s majority owner is the chairman of the WHL’s board of governors and also leads the influential five-man executive committee. Chynoweth has been involved with the WHL almost since Day 1 and during his years as president gave more to this league than most people will ever realize. He always has been the WHL’s greatest asset simply because of his long-term vision. His greatest legacy will be the WHL’s education policy. “He’s a key guy, for sure,” offered one WHL governor.
2. Bruce Hamilton, Kelowna Rockets (governor, president, general manager): The Rockets’ majority owner is to the WHL what E.F. Hutton used to be to investors — when he speaks, the league listens. He has the spot to do that, too, as he is on the executive committee. “He has been a good addition to the league,” one owner said. “He’s done a good job. Deep down, he understands what a league is about.”
3. Kelly McCrimmon, Brandon Wheat Kings (governor, general manager, head coach): The Wheat Kings’ owner has done it all, starting as a player and working his way up through the ranks. Works hard on behalf of the league. Tremendous business background includes an MBA. One respondent noted: “Old school owner with new-school business background.” . . . Leads the competition committee.
4. Tim Speltz, Spokane Chiefs (governor, general manager): A quiet man who is highly respected throughout the league. He cares about the league and is a thinker. A common-sense guy with a lot of experience who always is upfront and honest.
5. Ron Toigo, Vancouver Giants (governor): The majority owner of a franchise that is in its seventh season and has brought the World Junior Championship, the Memorial Cup and the Top Prospects Game to Vancouver. Obviously, Toigo carries some clout. One governor said: “As the Vancouver governor, he has made very significant contributions to our league.” . . . One owner said: “This guy can do things that the average guy can’t. They’ve got 53 stores,” referring to the White Spot restaurants. “You go to the soft drink company or the hamburger company and you’ve got a little clout. He could be a big-time contributor. His problem is that he has trouble sorting the league from the team.”
6. Russ Farwell, Seattle Thunderbirds (president, governor, general manager): Ask insiders about Farwell and one of the words you hear is “cerebral.” Was GM of the Philadelphia Flyers when they acquired Eric Lindros. . . . One person familiar with the WHL summed up Farwell this way: “Smart? You bet.” . . . A member of the executive committee. . . . Was selected to put together report on the financial stability of the WHL and its teams. The governors spent two days poring over that report earlier this month. . . . Oversaw the purchase of the Thunderbirds from Bill Yuill and is in the process of moving the franchise to Kent, Wash. “(Farwell) may have hit a home run,” said one person of the move to Kent. “He’s a great league guy. He’ll be a leader.”
7. Ron Robison, WHL (commissioner): Why isn’t he No. 1? Because he works for the owners. . . . Has been commissioner since 2000 and is signed through 2010-11. . . . One owner, who said Robison “has quite a bit” of influence, described the commissioner like this: “Misreads the lay of the land from time to time and as a result loses some fights he didn’t expect to lose but, yes, he is in charge.” . . . Another owner: “Ron does have some clout with the interpretation of committee reports that he massages to come out the way he wants.” . . . Another person said: “There are 22 teams now and it’s not an easy run. There’s usually two per club at the meetings; that’s 44 people before you start. He works hard . . . sometimes he over-reacts to certain things and then he has to back away, which is fine. . . . He’s done a pretty good job. He has a tendency to be very big in marketing but that’s the area he came out of. That’s what they wanted at the time.”
8. Bob Tory, Tri-City Americans (governor, general manager): He owns a piece of the franchise and was instrumental in putting together the deal that kept it in Kennewick, Wash. Is known to have good ideas and has proven to be a terrific hockey executive. . . . No one cares more about the league than this guy. . . . Has been the major force behind turning the Americans into a viable franchise on and off the ice.
9. Jeff Chynoweth, Kootenay Ice (alternate governor, vice president, general manager): Apples don’t fall far from the tree, and it’s true with Jeff being Ed’s son. His success with the Kootenay Ice says it all. . . . Worked under some terrific hockey people. Started in the league doing marketing/public relations for the Spokane Chiefs (Bob Strumm) in 1986 and went on to work with Medicine Hat (Russ Farwell), Brandon (Kelly McCrimmon) and Red Deer (Wayne Simpson) — he was the latter franchise’s first employee and was instrumental in getting it rolling — before joining his father in setting up the Edmonton Ice and later moving the franchise to Cranbrook. . . . You can bet he has his father’s ear, and Big Ed is No. 1.
10. Brent Sutter, Red Deer Rebels (president, owner): He now is the head coach of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils so isn’t as visible on a day-to-day basis at the WHL level as he once was. However, as one person put it: “May be in the NHL now, but still holds sway from his perch in New Jersey. That, and he’s a Sutter.” . . . One governor put it this way: “He’s a contributor and a guy who cares.”
11. David Branch, Canadian Hockey League (CHL president, OHL commissioner): Alienated WHL prior to 2006-07 season with ruling as CHL president that awarded centre Trevor Lewis to the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack over the Spokane Chiefs, who believed they had a geographical claim on him. . . . “Dave Branch seems to have much more influence on us than we really like,” one owner said, adding that the league is working to “remedy those problems but the progress is slow.”
12. Richard Doerksen, WHL (vice-president hockey): The disciplinarian. Has the unenviable task of doling out punishment. . . . “We have to deal with him at different levels,” one governor said. “He and Ron (Robison) are huge with the league.” . . . A real straight arrow who once was the league statistician. His love for the league runs deep.
13. Don Hay, Vancouver Giants (head coach): When it comes to WHL coaches, he’s THE MAN. He is the only person ever to have won four Memorial Cup championships as a coach. Highly respected because no one gets more out of his players than this man. When he talks about the game, everyone listens.
14. Jack Brodsky, Saskatoon Blades (governor, president): The league comes first with this long-time owner who is on the executive committee. And with all the time he has spent in the league he is respected. “If there’s a committee, Jack wants to be on it. He means well. . . .” . . . Is a brother to Prince George Cougars owner Rick Brodsky.
15. Ben Wiebe, Swift Current Broncos (governor): Has been there a long time and two respondents said he contributes the most of anyone who is with a community-owned team. Under his direction, the Broncos now are playing in a renovated facility on which millions of dollars were spent. That alone has all but guaranteed the long-term survival of the franchise. . . . A member of the executive committee and an accountant, so that all comes in handy.
16. Scott Bonner, Vancouver Giants (alternate governor, general manager): One of the WHL’s quiet voices. More than one team executive said Bonner has a lot of offer and is respected, but that he is a “quiet guy.” . . . “Scott Bonner never says a word at league meetings,” one governor said, “but he has a good head. I respect him a lot.” . . . “Very quiet,” said another. “But once he found out he could text people . . . he leads the league in texting.”
17. Willie Desjardins, Medicine Hat Tigers (general manager, head coach): Has built the Tigers into a consistent winner while working for the Maser brothers, perhaps the WHL’s most eccentric owners. . . . One WHLer put it this way: “Anyone who has had to coach against him or to be around him knows what a good person he is and what a good job he has done there.”
18. Bill Yuill, Everett Silvertips (governor): Is far more involved as a governor since he sold the Seattle Thunderbirds and purchased the Silvertips, a franchise that is in its fifth season. “He’s a self-made multi-millionaire and a very interesting guy,” one governor said. . . . Would have even more influence if he could put aside his differences with the commissioner. . . . “It’s just personalities,” one person said. “He means well but I don’t think he understands the making of a league.”
19. Gavin Hamilton, Kelowna Rockets (vice-president of business development): Runs a marvelous show in Kelowna with a lot of help from a great staff, including his wife, Anne-Marie. . . . Is No. 1 in his field now that Roger Lemire has left the Vancouver Giants to work for CTV. . . . Younger brother of Bruce Hamilton.
20. Chad Lang, Moose Jaw Warriors (general manager): Still looks young enough to be a player. . . . Highly respected for having done a good job with his team on the ice — the Warriors were in the WHL final just two years ago.
21. Dean Chynoweth, Swift Current Broncos (general manager, head coach): Gained a lot of respect for shutting down the country club and getting the hockey team pointed in the right direction.
22. Kelly Kisio, Calgary Hitmen (alternate governor, general manager, head coach): A very quiet man who is respected around the table.
23. Dan Russell, CKNW: The host of Canada’s longest-running sports-talk radio show, Russell gives the WHL ample air time, including a weekly Monday chat with Vancouver head coach Don Hay. Russell’s nightly show on Vancouver radio station CKNW is carried throughout most of B.C. Russell also is the play-by-play voice for many of the WHL games carried by Shaw Cable. When TV speaks, the WHL listens — moreso than when it comes to the print media.
24. Rick Dillabough, Brandon Wheat Kings (director of marketing/public relations); Ian Henry, Seattle Thunderbirds (director of media/public relations); and, Bruce Vance, Prince Albert Raiders (director of marketing/media): These are the hardest-working men in the WHL.
25. Player agents: Few WHL people will admit that agents have any influence, but you bet they do. The most visible include former Brandon centre Jason Taylor and Craig Oster of Newport Sports Management, which is headed up by the well-known Don Meehan; and, former Moose Jaw centre Mark MacKay and former New Westminster Bruins defenceman Gerry Johannson, who work with The Sports Corporation, an Edmonton-based firm.
ON THE CUSP (alphabetical order): Kyle Beach, Everett Silvertips (left winger); Colin Campbell, Seattle Thunderbirds (vice president, assistant general manager, director of marketing); Cam Moon, Red Deer Rebels (radio broadcast director); Elden Moberg, Swift Current Broncos (assistant general manager, director of operations); Kevin Muench, WHL (director officiating); Brent Parker, Regina Pats (alternate governor, general manager); Roy Stasiuk, Lethbridge Hurricanes (general manager).
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca