Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[bigsportsfan]

I guess the way I think about it, the IceDogs have two main issues.

First, DD makes very bad decisions, is involved in all aspects of the operations, and has generally run the team into the ground. Assuming DD doesn't get involved in the day-to-day operations, the hiring of Evola could theoretically fix many of these issues.

Two, DD doesn't spend enough on the team and has set a budget so low that it is difficult for the team to have any success. Unfortunately, the benefits of hiring Evola as GM will be tempered if there isn't enough money to hire proper coaches, hiring a full scouting staff or treat the players properly.

While I think things may slightly improve, unless DD gives the team an adequate budget, it's still going to be difficult for them to have any type of success.

 

[bigsportsfan]

In the Dogpound podcast that had DD commenting on the hiring of a new GM, he said two things that I thought was odd.

First, he said he has a 30 and 60 day plan for the new GM. If DD is not supposed to be involved in the day-to-day operations, how can he have a 30 and 60 day plan for the GM. Isn't this being involved in the day-to-day operations?

Secondly, he says he wants the GM to connect with all the sponsors. Huh? Visiting the sponsors is not the GM's job. That is the job of the owner or someone who works in the business office. The GM isn't there is sell sponsorships. The GM looks after the hockey side. Again, DD is interfering with the day-to-day operations and if the GM has to devout time to getting the sponsors to renew their advertising with the IceDogs, it's going to effect the GM's performance.

Does anyone at the OHL office monitor what DD says on these podcasts because this seems to be in direct conflict with the OHL orders that he not be involved in the day-to-day operations.

 

[beastintheeast]

In the Dogpound podcast that had DD commenting on the hiring of a new GM, he said two things that I thought was odd.

First, he said he has a 30 and 60 day plan for the new GM. If DD is not supposed to be involved in the day-to-day operations, how can he have a 30 and 60 day plan for the GM. Isn't this being involved in the day-to-day operations?

Secondly, he says he wants the GM to connect with all the sponsors. Huh? Visiting the sponsors is not the GM's job. That is the job of the owner or someone who works in the business office. The GM isn't there is sell sponsorships. The GM looks after the hockey side. Again, DD is interfering with the day-to-day operations and if the GM has to devout time to getting the sponsors to renew their advertising with the IceDogs, it's going to effect the GM's performance.

Does anyone at the OHL office monitor what DD says on these podcasts because this seems to be in direct conflict with the OHL orders that he not be involved in the day-to-day operations.

OKAY My take on your points

first plan I am sir that the plan was gone through with Evola and that whatever the pan is that he would have agreed or he would not have taken the job.

I got lucky and watched an owner tht had a complete grasp on every penny spent.

Earl watched every penny, and if not for Killer and the booster club, the team would not have had what it had. The same is true for the Ottawa Lynx and Howard.

An example was Riley, who was created and funded initially by me and the booster club. He was never owned by the 67. When Earl found out that I had sponsorship for Riley, he wanted to know how much the team would get.


The bottom line is that the plan had to have been made with Evola agreeing.


Dealing with Sponsors.

If sme kid in the front office of the team came into your business and told you the sun was shining, would you believe them or take a look out the window?

Just look at this page. How many people still think things will be the same because DD is involved.

The best way to soothe the sponsors' worries, as well as the city and the fans, is for the GM to jump into the fire and face people.


Evola should host a meeting with the STH, media and new coach as soon as possible to answer all your questions and put his stamp on the team.

Evola this summer vbecause of allthe crap is going to have to meet withthe big ticket sponsors and answer a lot of questions to make them want to give the team their money.


No one else can answer the questions that the sponsors and fans have other than Evola.

Would you trust a front office employee of DD to tellyu that the GM willhave all the money He needs.
Would you trust a front office employee to tellyou that this is gong to be a great team and that DD isnot going to be involved other than as an owner?

 

[Dog Fan]

OKAY My take on your points

first plan I am sir that the plan was gone through with Evola and that whatever the pan is that he would have agreed or he would not have taken the job.

I got lucky and watched an owner tht had a complete grasp on every penny spent.

Earl watched every penny, and if not for Killer and the booster club, the team would not have had what it had. The same is true for the Ottawa Lynx and Howard.

An example was Riley, who was created and funded initially by me and the booster club. He was never owned by the 67. When Earl found out that I had sponsorship for Riley, he wanted to know how much the team would get.


The bottom line is that the plan had to have been made with Evola agreeing.


Dealing with Sponsors.

If sme kid in the front office of the team came into your business and told you the sun was shining, would you believe them or take a look out the window?

Just look at this page. How many people still think things will be the same because DD is involved.

The best way to soothe the sponsors' worries, as well as the city and the fans, is for the GM to jump into the fire and face people.


Evola should host a meeting with the STH, media and new coach as soon as possible to answer all your questions and put his stamp on the team.

Evola this summer vbecause of allthe crap is going to have to meet withthe big ticket sponsors and answer a lot of questions to make them want to give the team their money.


No one else can answer the questions that the sponsors and fans have other than Evola.

Would you trust a front office employee of DD to tellyu that the GM willhave all the money He needs.
Would you trust a front office employee to tellyou that this is gong to be a great team and that DD isnot going to be involved other than as an owner?

What happens when Evola makes a trade that DD doesn’t like? What happens to Evola when the team has mass defections and starts the season 1-19? What happens to Evola when DD can’t take it anymore?

What coach is going to sign up for this job? He will be working with a person who has never been a GM for a person who doesn’t know how to run a hockey club…and how long will they last

 

[Icedogs452]

Just because Frank is a first time GM doesn’t mean that he isn’t qualified or 100% capable for the job based on his past experience. Now hoping a coach gets brought in ASAP.

 

[Sam14]

unless DD gives the team an adequate budget, it's still going to be difficult for them to have any type of success.

That will be impossible for DD. Hiring a GM will not change the team's financial situation. DD is still dealing with a massive debt.

 

[Sam14]

Does anyone at the OHL office monitor what DD says on these podcasts because this seems to be in direct conflict with the OHL orders that he not be involved in the day-to-day operations.

Great question! Not only are there text messages (to the coach during games trying to dictate lines combinations and playing time); emails to various people that clearly indicated he was not abiding by his two year suspension, but there are also podcast and radio interviews where he clearly spoke as the acting GM. WTF is wrong with the OHL (Crawford). I can’t believe I’m even going to say this but “we were better off with Branch.”

 

[Sam14]

What coach is going to sign up for this job? He will be working with a person who has never been a GM for a person who doesn’t know how to run a hockey club…and how long will they last

Another great question!

Coaches Beware:
When asked about the hiring of coaches, “We’re going to keep doing this until we get it right!”

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Are there any rumours or rumblings about a coach being hired or close to it?

 

[ohloutsider]

Wonder about Jerrod Smith

Long time assistant coach, then associate coach then for a season he was head coach of Windsor. Some familiarity there.

No chance. Windsor fired JS 3 months into his first season. Frank would have been part of that discussion.

 

[beastintheeast]

What happens when Evola makes a trade that DD doesn’t like? What happens to Evola when the team has mass defections and starts the season 1-19? What happens to Evola when DD can’t take it anymore?

What coach is going to sign up for this job? He will be working with a person who has never been a GM for a person who doesn’t know how to run a hockey club…and how long will they last

Why are you so negative? Evola, I am sure, has a contract that is DD proof, plus he has, at least right now, on paper, a good team. Aws I have kept saying DD may have gotten the word that this is it also if he is in financial trouble, he needs this team to succeed so that the value goes up and he can get his money back.

I realize that you are all angry because the leagudid not make him sell and lose his shirt. BUT give him time.

Are there any rumours or rumblings about a coach being hired or close to it?

It's going to be interesting because there are no experienced coaches available. I know Milley in Ottawa would be interested. London is out because they are grooming their assistant to be the head.

They are definitley going to need someone with a track record.

 

[Sam14]

So, the price for one OA upgrade is apparently a 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, .. That would basically wipe the IceDogs out lol.

Darren wants to take a run at a championship this year and then bid on the Mem-Cup the following year. Someone want to tell him to pick just one.

#delusional

 

[knowescape]

So, the price for one OA upgrade is apparently a 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, .. That would basically wipe the IceDogs out lol.

Darren wants to take a run at a championship this year and then bid on the Mem-Cup the following year. Someone want to tell him to pick just one.

#delusional

Unfortunately, there is no connection between DD and reality. In his mind, he remains convinced he has the right strategy and the pack of naysayers (league, fans, staff) have it wrong.
The OHL has demonstrated a hands-off approach except when forced. They will likely continue this methodology, meaning more failure has to occur before they will be heard from. This translates into another lost year.
Regardless of Evola's considerable talent, he will never outperform DD's knack for kicking himself in the nards. Evola will have the best of intentions and considerable experience to draw from, but he'll end up fired or take the next offer he is given.

 

[bigsportsfan]

Dealing with Sponsors.

If sme kid in the front office of the team came into your business and told you the sun was shining, would you believe them or take a look out the window?

Just look at this page. How many people still think things will be the same because DD is involved.

The best way to soothe the sponsors' worries, as well as the city and the fans, is for the GM to jump into the fire and face people.


Evola should host a meeting with the STH, media and new coach as soon as possible to answer all your questions and put his stamp on the team.

Evola this summer vbecause of allthe crap is going to have to meet withthe big ticket sponsors and answer a lot of questions to make them want to give the team their money.


No one else can answer the questions that the sponsors and fans have other than Evola.

Would you trust a front office employee of DD to tellyu that the GM willhave all the money He needs.
Would you trust a front office employee to tellyou that this is gong to be a great team and that DD isnot going to be involved other than as an owner?

I don’t think meeting with sponsors is the GM’s job. A look on the IceDogs website shows they have 108 sponsors. Do you think it is reasonable for the GM to meet with 108 sponsors.

Dealing with the sponsors is the owner’s job or whoever is running the business office. The GM will be busy enough trying to keep the players happy, making trades, preparing for the import draft, signing players etc.

No, you wouldn’t send in some kid. You would send in the person running the business side, which is usually the owner or president.

 

[bigsportsfan]

The hockey operations staff page is back up on the IceDogs website. It lists only 3 scouts now so hopefully more scouts will be added.

However the big news is the addition of a “Hockey Operations Coordinator”. His name is Eric DeDobbelaer. I guess DD figures it’s good to have his son involved with the day to day hockey operations now that DD isn’t supposed to be involved. What a joke!

By the way, the website lists Frank Evola as both the GM and the Director of Scouting. I guess DD didn’t want to pay for two people so he combined them into one job.

 

[dogs777]

https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/icedogs-new-gm-values-culture/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKsRPVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsGQ7VtEYoUW4TnURgabGpyXdO3DP1YY-s1CVhkzC_XZtCT_fbaTbfZ79jyV_aem_A4Fxt-icBH_M8arSzTyJpA

 

[Sam14]

The hockey operations staff page is back up on the IceDogs website. It lists only 3 scouts now

Haha. Not surprised since 2 of them quit on the IceDogs early last year and the names were never removed. What a joke!

 

[Sam14]

“Hockey Operations Coordinator”. Eric DeDobbelaer.
Frank Evola first move was to hire him? LOL. This has to be a joke?

 

[the dog]

“Hockey Operations Coordinator”. Eric DeDobbelaer.
Frank Evola first move was to hire him? LOL. This has to be a joke?

He wants Frank job already

 

[beastintheeast]

I don’t think meeting with sponsors is the GM’s job. A look on the IceDogs website shows they have 108 sponsors. Do you think it is reasonable for the GM to meet with 108 sponsors.

Dealing with the sponsors is the owner’s job or whoever is running the business office. The GM will be busy enough trying to keep the players happy, making trades, preparing for the import draft, signing players etc.

No, you wouldn’t send in some kid. You would send in the person running the business side, which is usually the owner or president.

Again, under normal circumstances, you are right. BUT CAN YOU CALL WHAT YOU ARE GOING THORUGH NORMAL

Yes, you have many sponsors, but there are only a handful of major sponsors or sponsors that are not sure about renewing.

Would you trust anything that came out of DD or his sons if you were investing a huge chunk into sponsoring? NO, but sitting down with Evola in a room with sponsors at a meet and greet or a dinner would be ideal. It shows the sponsors tht you care about them and also gives them a chance to in a group or one-on-one to evola and get an understanding of what is happening.

Let's face it: This team is going to need some media love and soothing the frustrated sponsors.

Bring in your new coach and maybe a couple of players. Yes, it is the team marketing person, but remember, the marketing staff is hired and trained to do what DD wants.

In Ottawa, we had some good marketing people, but they were all young, starting. It was not uncommon for a sponsor to contact Killer if they had a question

 

[beastintheeast]

“Hockey Operations Coordinator”. Eric DeDobbelaer.
Frank Evola first move was to hire him? LOL. This has to be a joke?

This could be a way to see if the kid has the chops and look at him being rained by Ebola so that when Evola leaves, there is a possible continuity. If he does not work out then he simly gets let go or replaced.

 

[bigsportsfan]

https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/icedogs-new-gm-values-culture/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKsRPVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsGQ7VtEYoUW4TnURgabGpyXdO3DP1YY-s1CVhkzC_XZtCT_fbaTbfZ79jyV_aem_A4Fxt-icBH_M8arSzTyJpA

This article didn't give me a lot of confidence that the new GM has full control of the team.

“I’m not going to close any doors on anybody because at the end of the day, you know, Darren and Michelle gave me an opportunity to be a first time GM and I look at Oshawa, Brad Malone was a first-time coach and went to the conference finals. We had Mark Savard, a first-time coach in Windsor, took us to Game 7 against Brantford to go to the Memorial Cup."

So in other words, the owner won't pay the salary of an experienced coach so we will need to look at a rookie coach.

“I don’t want to get into too much of the specifics with the league and Darren and that. My role is the GM here and ultimately Darren’s an owner. So I have a ton of respect for Darren and I’m going to pass a lot of things through Darren because at the end Darren is the owner. But I have say in coaches and I have say in player transactions and signings and ultimately as we move forward people will see things happen. So at the end of the day you have to respect the process.”

So does this mean that Darren still has final say on who the coaches will be, who they trade and who they sign? That sound like Darren will be fully involved in the day to day operations.

 

[knowescape]

“Hockey Operations Coordinator”. Eric DeDobbelaer.
Frank Evola first move was to hire him? LOL. This has to be a joke?

The joke's on the fans who think the OHL solved things. Already, Evola's hands are tied and he is being undermined by the appointment of the owner's son. No thanks, Niagara bought this t-shirt already. DD will meddle as much as before and the OHL will expect fans to eat it.

 

[Dog Fan]

I have spoken to two pro scouts who giggled when told of our new GM. Not sure after these two discussions if our Gm hire is that good.

 

[LDN]

What’s the word on Edgar?