The WHL has made its long-awaited announcement involving the Portland Winter Hawks. If you haven’t yet seen it, here is the release from the WHL office:
The Western Hockey League (WHL) and the Portland Winter Hawks announced today that the WHL audit of the Portland franchise has been completed and an agreement has been reached on all matters pertaining to the operation of the franchise.
The agreement confirms the Portland ownership group is fully committing to operating the Winter Hawks in a manner consistent with WHL standards and to use their best efforts to strengthen the on-ice product for 2008-09 season and beyond.
Under the agreement:
- The Western Hockey League and Portland ownership group affirmed Ken Hodge as General Manager of the Winter Hawks. Hodge, the winningest coach in WHL history, will have full control over all aspects of Portland's hockey operations.
- The WHL received further assurances that the Portland WHL franchise will operate in a manner acceptable to the WHL.
The new understanding reached between the WHL and the Portland Ownership Group will ensure the franchise operates at a standard acceptable to the League and will serve to stabilize the franchise from a financial standpoint.” stated WHL Commissioner, Ron Robison. “We are also confident that under Ken Hodge’s leadership the team will become more competitive.”
Portland Winter Hawks majority owner, Jim Goldsmith added, "During the past two seasons we have assembled a great stable of talent on the Winter Hawks roster. Our 2007 and 2008 draft classes are widely regarded to be among the best in the WHL and we have many talented players returning from injuries. I am very excited for the upcoming season and the years to follow."
"We welcomed the audit of our operation and allowed full access to our books, files and employees," said Jack Donovan, Portland Winter Hawks President. "We are satisfied with the results and look forward to concentrating on hockey and the brighter days ahead."
The Portland Winter Hawks franchise was purchased by the ownership group of Jim Goldsmith, John Bryant and Jack Donovan in April of 2006, and has encountered a number of challenges both from a business and hockey perspective. Jim Goldsmith is the managing partner of the Portland Winter Hawks; Jack Donovan serves as the President of the Club while John Bryant provides legal counsel.
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For the latest on the Portland story, check out the story that Jason Vondersmith wrote and posted on the Portland Tribune’s website this morning. He has spoken with Ken Hodge and that story is here. . . .
So what does it all mean?
From the outside, it means that nothing has changed in Portland, although, as Vondersmith mentions in his story, it would seem that financial differences between Hodge and the present ownership group have been cleared up. The present owners purchased the franchise from Hodge and his group and there were some missed payments along the way that served to make the waters a bit muddier.
But now, with training camp just over two months away, it would appear that the status quo is being maintained in Portland.