PLUS/MINUS
September 22/07
After attending the Attack’s home opener versus the Greyhounds, I’ve compiled my observations into a plus/minus format. I don’t know if any of you will share my opinions, but here they are nonetheless.
Plus
- The attempt at a tailgate party for fans.
- Freebie t-shirts (two!!) for fans (but shouldn’t there be an Attack logo on something?) – much better than one free blank sock from Giant Tiger
- Marco Franchini – at the start of the game he was going to be in the minus column, but he changed my mind. He still needs to get much stronger though.
- Joey Hishon’s first OHL goal – part good fortune, part hard work
- The honest effort of many of the Attack players.
- Adding an in-game host so the Director of Marketing has a greater opportunity to focus on other aspects of the job.
Minus
- Not enough team toughness yet or team size – Kyle Rowe where are you? Maybe dress Mrksic? Some big body has to start creating space for Franchini, Domingues, Hishon, Carroll, Farrell, et al.
- Lack of power play execution.
- The NHL camp hangover of Mr. Simmonds (three penalties, lots of giveaways, several botched clearing attempts, an injured referee – and still the Attack player of the game?)
- The music selection – no celebratory music after Attack goals? Easy listening oldies and adult contemporary before the game?
- The hands-in-the-pocket-chest-puffed-out-swagger of the recently graduated from college Director of Marketing; one would think either humility or experience or both is needed to be successful in his position – he had better learn one, the other, or both soon. Either that or I am reading him very wrong.
- One of my favourite topics - same old ratty carpet (that I suspect the City of Owen Sound got at the old Desboro arena garage sale) and lack of uniforms for arena staff. I swear if I ever win the 50/50 I'm off to Wal-Mart or Mark's Work Wearhouse to buy some details for the Attack/city.
- No ushers/security holding people at the top the aisles during play - it's simple common courtesy not to stand in front of the seated during gameplay - but when people don't know the courtesy, ushers are needed!
Attack Fan
MID-AUGUST MUSINGS: VACATION, SNYDER BOOK, AND COACHING CHANGES
August 15/07
- I will begin by apologizing for my lapse in updating this site. Unfortunately as the lone (unpaid) employee in this venture, when I don’t have access to a computer there are no updates. During the past two weeks, I got married and went on a honeymoon – as good an excuse as any, one would think. Nonetheless, I apologize for committing one of the sins I am trying to hold the Attack organization accountable for.
- My hiatus from western civilization did afford me the opportunity to finally read John Manasso’s book, "A Season of Loss, a Lifetime of Forgiveness: The Dan Snyder and Dany Heatley Story”. I liked it but I didn’t love it. What I liked was the story about Dan Snyder and his family. Dan was such an amazing person and the insight into his life and the way his family dealt with his death is inspirational. Unfortunately, I felt that the power the book could have truly had was harnessed by several things. Besides the explanation of hockey platitudes that would be necessary for the non-hockey fan and misspelled words, the way the book was organized made it a chore at times. The book meandered through sometimes off-topic tangents that may have been relevant if an obvious segue were to be included. The book also often became repetitive, leaving me confused as to the purpose of the information's inclusion. Nevertheless, I would recommend borrowing it or buying it. It is a quick read if you don’t second-guess your understanding of what Mr. Manasso is trying to say.
- Only time will tell if Owen Sound’s version of the “Mark and Dale” team will be as successful as the “Mark and Dale” team that is the money-printing (and winning) machine known officially as the London Knights Hockey Club. I will say that from my computer chair, the hiring of Mark Reeds looks pretty good, and I can’t think of a negative about the hiring of Jeff Reid to replace the departed David Bell. (Maybe Brian Warrilow can finally remove the Cornwall Royals #25 Reid-crested replica jersey from behind the cashier now that Jeff’s back in town. I can’t believe they actually thought they would ever sell it, it was on the rack for 10 years before they put in behind the counter, but I digress.) Jeff has lots of experience coaching (former) major junior players, and his
I am a little disappointed that David Bell was not given the chance at the head coaching position with the Attack. And no, it’s not because he’s a former team and schoolmate of mine – it’s because I thought he could do it and this might be his best opportunity to be given the chance. He knows his stuff (obviously – he’s been hired by Springfield), he’s a way better communicator than I would’ve ever predicted (he ran an OMHA coaching clinic I attended and was great), he's the most competive person I've EVER known, and I thought Mr. Johnson may have been looking to save a little money with a hometown discount. Anyone who doubts David’s ability should listen to Brian Kilrea who says David is the most coachable player he’s EVER had. Kilrea thought so much of David that he brought him back as an overage to help coach and provide leadership. That is very lofty praise. I don't know about the rumours of David being offered the Saginaw head coaching position, but if they checked his references, it would certainly be a possibility.
Attack Fan
attackfan16@yahoo.com
STOTHERS GONE - ATTACK TO WIN J. ROSS ROBERTSON CUP
July 19/07
Well it seems that many Attack fans have got their wish – Mike Stothers is no longer the team’s coach.
Stothers, or “the gum-chewing, folded-arm, suit” has moved on to greener pastures. Whether the coffee-crew at the Boot-and-Blade (most of whom have never, if ever, coached or managed past bantam, yet claim to know more than Mike Futa and Ken Holland combined) believe Stothers has any skills as a coach or not, people who get paid to make these decisions obviously do think Stothers knows something about hockey and developing players. Ken Holland and Jim Nill know what they are doing – I mean, how many mis-steps have the Red Wings made in the last decade?
So does this mean the Stothers’ charges underachieved during his time in
Unfortunately, this new reality brings about a quandary for the Attack in this oh-so-important first step of the rebuilding phase. It is widely speculated that the Attack could not attract the first tier of General Manager candidates when Futa went to the NHL because no potential GM worth his or her salt wanted to be saddled with an incumbent (and irremovable) coach. This seems logical. The Attack then took a flier on a GM in Dale DeGray who has no experience to rebuild the team. Okay, lets trust in the ownership – but wouldn’t it have been great if (and if the coffee-shop speculation is any indication they did) the ownership had known that Stothers would be off to somewhere better, and they could’ve brought in an experienced and established GM who could choose his own coach? DeGray didn’t and had no sway to make that demand, but now HE gets to choose his own coach. But will Jason Brooks, Jeff Perry, or other available first level coaches come to work for an inexperienced GM is now the question.
I believe that this all means the major issue with the Attack is ownership. With Mr. Johnson stating he is interested in taking a more “hands-on” approach to running the team, things are only going to get worse. Owners should own and be content to line their pockets with the money (and wins) the team provides them. Hire proven managers, coaches, and scouts. Let the managers manage, the coaches coach, and the players play. Hire a marketing STAFF. Let them market. Let the fans bitch. Owners forget sometimes that although they may be better than their predecessor, they are the only people in the chain of command that cannot be fired – even when they might be the problem. I have an idea that this ownership group does want to make money, and they certainly want to win – but in order to do this they have remove their meddlesome little hands. No GM or coach or player can truly do their job (or prove they are the right person for the job) without autonomy – accountability, yes – but autonomy.
Whatever.
On a side note, the information about Stothers moving on was updated fairly quickly to www.attackhockey.com. Good job Attack!
In the same vein, I am becoming increasingly aware of my own limitations as it pertains to maintaining (or even creating) a fantastic site for Attack fans. However, this DOES NOT mean that I empathize with the Attack organization in terms of its abilities (or lack thereof) to provide an OHL-appropriate website – this is not my job, nor do I gain anything from it other than the proof that any idiot (that’s me) with a computer can procure lots of relevant information to Attack fans and report it on a more timely basis than the Attack organization. Remember, I am not claiming to have scooped information – just that I am reporting it. The Attack actually have this information, especially when it relates to their own current players and staff, before any media does.
Attack Fan
attackfan16@yahoo.com
July 5/07
With all platitudes set aside, I believe that an official website is the public face of all businesses, organizations, corporations, and anyone else that desires world-wide exposure. A website allows instant access to information regarding a product, and any business et al that desires exposure has a website. These websites provide exposure because they are (relatively) easily accessible by anyone anywhere in the world, are easily updated, and they are easily able to provide endless information about the business at al to anyone who may desire it. In the case of the Owen Sound Attack Hockey Club, this could include fans of the Attack, fans of other OHL teams, potential ticket buyers or visitors to Grey-Bruce, prospective players and their parents (domestic, U.S., and overseas) and prospective employees. The www.attackhockey.com website could be the very first interaction a person has with the organization, and as the saying goes – you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Especially when compared to the websites of most of their OHL brethren, the Attack’s site is abysmal. The updates are hardly updates – anyone looking to find the information about the team would do better to scour the worldwide web first. The site is hardly interactive - ever tried to order merchandise? Information about CURRENT players – whether it be biographical or statistical – scarcely present. Game reports – somewhat legible, if not partisan, but extremely insider-like (hindrance to the casual fan).These are several of MY complaints about the attack’s official site. So (because I believe in doing something to effect change or just keeping your mouth shut), in response I have created this site.
This site is far from perfect – it is limited in its interaction by technological constraints, and limited in its information (both picture-wise and intellectual) by copyright law and my personal time constraints. However, it is free and it is hoped that it will provide more timely and relevant news to Attack fans than the official site does. Or, as a result of this site, it is hoped that www.attackhockey.com is forced to improve.
I will attempt to limit any commentary in the news feed, and just provide ostensible facts. I will provide commentary, for the sake of my own ego and the fact that I own this platform, from time–to-time in the Editorial section.
The main goal for this site is to provide timely and relevant information for Attack fans. It would be amazing if the Attack's official site would begin to resemble the sites of other OHL teams. It is possible! Come on ownership, you can do it!
Attack Fan
attackfan16@yahoo.com
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