Post by GoVoysGo on Sept 29, 2015 14:27:57 GMT -5
Combardi, Stutter Shown The Door Among Major YGFHL Management Shakeups
TFHN - Daniel Ronel, Sept. 29
Toronto, ON • The Grand Rapids Goats have cut ties with GM Sean Combardi and Darren Stutter.
Owner Adam Stier broke the news to the hockey world at noon during a press conference initially scheduled to announce that the team would remain as the "Grand Rapids Goats". The move is quite unexpected, but completely understandable. The Goats are notorious for being the "chokers" of the YGFHL; coming oh-so-close seems to be mainstay. Both Combardi and Stutter have been employed with the team since the franchise beginning (and the league beginning, for that matter). After so many years, the lack of success is becoming unmistakably apparent. Furthermore, Combardi signed his own death warrant after a poor draft showing. I caught up with Stier, who told me that it was simply "time for some change." He also added that he'd "lost trust in [Combardi].
Stier immediately named Cole Tannenville as the new bench boss for the team. After spending many successful years in the minors, Tannenville did not last a single season as an assistant with the Dallas Stars, when he was released last year along with the rest of the coaching staff. It is an interesting move, and remains to be seen if Tannenville will return to his minor-league form.
Stier will be holding interviews for the vacant general managing position. It appears the frontrunners for the gig are Rob Surray (who will serve interim in the meanwhile), Doug Nilsson, and Chad Develing.
"I expect to win it all, nothing less," Stier added. "I think Tannenville will bring out the best in my players."
In other news, the Austin Bruins have released both GM James McEnroy and coach Jean Trooper, in favour of Ron Heaney and Todd Souvien, per owner Ryan Balter. He and Heaney are old buddies, going all the way back to university, where the two met. He already has a good idea of his plans for the new staff.
"I want Heaney to address our issues on defence — being that of a very young core — by maybe getting one or two older guys to come in and teach the new guys. Also, I want Souvien to remember how young these guys are, and really guide them and teach them about how to play in the league."
As for his thoughts on his first YGFHL season? "Well, I'd like to get off to a good start to the season, as we start of the year against an easier opponent. As we have a younger team — our average age around 26.05 — I would like to see some of the younger players grow into a leadership role."
Seattle Juggernauts owner Daniel Ronel also got in on the action, giving GM Bryan Dirks the boot after just half a season of managing the team. The revolving door continues; Dirks' successor will mark the fourth general manager in as many years (the other three being Dirks, aforementioned Nilsson, and Ronel himself). Ronel announced that the replacement manager would be recently fired James McEnroy. McEnroy tells us that he is "thrilled to come to Seattle. I've always loved the city, plus [Ronel] and I go way back." Coach Ed Nolan — who is about to eat into the second of his four-year deal — remains confident that this year will produce a much better result.
Ronel sat down with us, explaining that he'd kept tabs on McEnroy since he was hired by Shmuel Kantor. "I always knew, somewhere deep down, Jamesy [McEnroy] would be a part of this team, this family. When the going got tough last year, and I couldn't balance my time, I needed a replacement. [Bryan] Dirks is a great guy, and did his job well, but ultimately I knew he would only last as long as Jamesy did.
"And Jamesy knew this, I think. He swore to do his job unbiased with Milwaukee, but he'd always wanted to come work with me. I know what he's capable of. I know that we're on the same page in terms of the next step, what holes to address, how to separate the Jugs from the rest of the league. I cannot wait."
Isaac Reich announced that the Gryphons are releasing both GM Dale Novis and coach Peter Asriodette. Novis's replacement was an easy choice, according to Reich; Steve Xzerman was brought in for general manager duties. As for the new coach, it won't be made official for another few hours, but James Duffy leaked that former goalie Ratchet Poy (its pronounced Paw; I know it's weird, just think of Jonathan Taves and Dustin Bufflin). Reich had plenty to say about his hirings.
"Now, obviously I don't want to get too far ahead of the game now, our first matchup hasn't even started, but looking forward to the trade deadline, I'd like to see Stevie-X in a position to sell some draft picks for some loaner players, so that we could make a good run at the Cup. Out of our coaching staff, I expect to see improvements in our young players, while also keeping our core and veterans sharp.
"With that said, I still just want to get past training camp and into the first matchup. From there our management will all be in close contact to asses anything that might happen, and make sure that we can do the best for our players, the organization, and this great city of Guelph."
Not ten minutes passed before Novis found himself another job. The Markham Majors bid adieu to GM Glen Kolland, who had one year remaining on his contract, and appoint Novis the open spot. Owner Noah Rotman won the bid for control of the then Red Deer Blades, after Mark Korodetz bailed on the league.
When we asked for expectations in his first season, Rotman was succinct: "It's going to be a cup year."
Highly praised head coach Blake Mabcock is on payroll for two more years, and if he can repeat his stellar performance from last year he should find himself in town for years to come.
Adam Sharvit appears very comfortable with longtime friend and colleague Ron Baloney at GM, as well as coach Jerry Krotz, announcing that he will pick up the two-year team option on Baloney's contract. He also mentioned that the Hamilton Huskies will return for the season.
Despite a harsh criticism from your's truly — I roasted Hamilton in my pre-season power rankings — Sharvit has high hopes for the upcoming campaign.
"I went in with a mentality that this is a keeper league. Act like it. So I drafted Connor. Everyone is projecting different results from the phenom and personally, I don't know what's going to happen. I hope [he will produce] north of 70 points, but you never know. I used a very early pick to land him when I could've gotten Kessel, who ever one thinks is gonna be nuts this year. I continued with some other risky picks. If they all pan out, I have no doubts I'll come in first, but let's be realistic. Not all of them will pan out. Some will, some won't. So then, unless I can pull off some magic with trades (why am I worried) and FA pickups, I don't think I will drop out of the top 3 but [probably] also won't be at the top, unless everyone performs.
"Expectations are very high — seeing as I won 3 in a row — but with no more Mark [Korodetz] and Shmuel [Kantor], and adding Rotman and Balter, I really don't know if I can pull off the amazing wins [that I do yearly]. Competition is definitely more fierce this year, and I am excited."
At this point in time, with very few returning staff, the only person to keep a close eye on is Ed Nolan, the Jugs' coach. Yes, he improved the club after taking the reigns from Rod McLemon, but he still missed the playoffs, and should be on the hot seat. ∆