Monday, October 27, 2008
More on Portland
The changes have begun. . . . A source has informed me that Innes Mackie, the Winter Hawks' long-time trainer, was told Monday that his services no longer are required, effective immediately. . . . Mackie was one of the original Three Amigos -- the others being Ken Hodge and Brian Shaw -- who were most responsible for moving the original Edmonton Oil Kings franchise to Portland over the summer of 1976.
4 comments:
Obviously full scale changes are "afloat" in Portland, and long overdue! I've made several posts to Kemper's and the Trib's blogs the last several months specifically outlining why (beyond the very obvious reasons) changes needed to be made, and some of what I believe should make up at least some of these changes.
One change I havent called for, however, is firing the teams trainer of some 30 years. While I certainly understand that Innes Mackie is one of the original three amigos, and quite possibly, may have had some type of small onwership stake in the club, at least in the past (conjecture only on my part). I do not see how you get people like myself back into the stands, who havent been to a game since the first full season that slime, slime, & slime, took over, by getting rid of every single familiar face that at least some of us identify with great success in the past, despite the many short comings of the last 9-10 years.
It's the same type of bone-headed move the "old, new owners" pulled in instantly marginalizing the long-time voice of the Hawks, Dean Vrhooman, and ultimately forcing him to resign.
Dean, mind you, was not the worlds greatest hockey play-by-play guy, but he brought intangibles, and ultimatley a good-will worth to the hockey club that went well beyond that. I believe the same can be said for Innes Mackie, who has quietly performed what many would consider a thankless, but very essential job (especially in juniors) with excellece, for some thirty years now.
Yes he may well be one of, if not the highest paid trainer in the history of junior hockey, but again, that is well beside the point.
Forget about him, personally, for a second, and you are still left with what is in the best interest of the boys on this club.
In my estimation, the league, which says it has have gone to such great pains to insure another debacle does not happen in PDX or elsewhere, in my estimation, has not done what's in the best interest in these boys, who are ultimately entrusted to their care.
The legnth and timing of this process, in my estimation, have had a very negative impact on these boys and what remaining fans are still left.
Firing the last remaining familiar face in the locker room right now, in my mind, shows poor judgement, I dont care, whether you invented hockey, oil sand, or butter, or how much money you may have.
Yes, it's ultimately yor right to do so, but for such a brilliant person, it shows a poor judgemnt in my mind. And now at least one ex-Hawk-fan who was so excited just a couple of weeks ago, to come back to the rink, is now planning to stay away for the foreseeable future.
NICE MOVE!
Dirt I was wondering what about the sale of the team made you so excited acouple of weeks ago?? From all the reports out there you knew that alot of changes were going to be made from top to bottom. I know the last ownership group made and caused alot of problems for this organization. If you were a true " FAN" you would have continued to goto the games regardless of who owned it. You really didn't do anything to hurt the owners, you just let the Players down !!!
Yes, u have a point, in a way, I am being critical, but as omone who worked within the organization, I know Innes on a personal level, and my loyalties to both he and Dean, make me emotional in some respects, which obvoiusly can cloud anyone's judgement. I'm Portuguese - it's in my blood - what more can I say, we tend to be sentimental to a fault, loyal to fault, etc, etc. I believe there are worse traits one can have...
Change is difficult, but required in the case of the Winterhawks. This franchise has been floundering for a few years and hopefully, the new owners will bring it back to prominence.
I suspect in the long term, the the Winterhawks will be replaced by an NHL team, which I think everyone would agree makes sense for Portland. It's no secret that the new owners have the finances to do this. Plus, I think they are forward thinking enough to see the opportunity available with the Rose Garden. It's very different today than it was a few years ago with the NHL salary cap in place, changes at the Rose Garden that make bringing a franchise in more attractive. We'll see.
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