Daddy owners

Three skaters and netminder are positioned between the Dukes and the Cobourg net, yet the Dukes’ shot eluded them all. Alas, the Dukes would go on to lose this game, 3-2, in a shootout on November 1 in Wellington.

Whitby GM dismissed after refusing to guarantee roster spots for owners’ kids

It didn’t take Frank Robinson long to land on his feet in the OJHL. Robinson was general manager of the Whitby Fury until a dispute with incoming owners of the team forced a parting of the ways. The widely respected hockey man was picked up by the Stouffville Spirit as the team’s new director of player personnel.

But it is the circumstances around Robinson’s departure from Whitby that is renewing questions about the future of the OJHL.

According to a report in the Durham Region, Robinson was relieved of his duties because he refused to abide by a mandate adopted by the seven owners of the Whitby Fury that guarantees that their nine sons, still in minor hockey, will play with the Junior ‘A’ team after one year of midget-level hockey.

Robinson refused to go along with this arrangement. So he is out.

What does Robinson’s dismissal say about the state of the OJHL in 2014? The cost of operating an OJHL franchise is high and rising. The fan base, save for some communities such as Wellington, is small, and ticket revenue scarcely pays for sticks and sweaters in some markets. As a result, team ownership tends to gravitate to those with a deep and abiding passion for the game, a penchant for losing money or as an alternate means to ensure their son plays hockey at this elite level.

Dukes GM and coach Marty Abrams declined to be drawn into the controversy, saying only that “Frank Robinson is a good hockey man, so his departure from Whitby is an unfortunate part of the business.”

Many fans however, complain that so called ‘daddy owners’ weaken the quality of the hockey and the credibility of the league. Many thousands of dollars were spent by remaining teams to ease marginal teams toward folding or merging over the past few years. The stated goal was that this expense was necessary to improve the overall quality of the players. A smaller pool would create a showcase for the best and most talented players.

Three years ago, the OJHL comprised 31 teams—now there are just 22 teams. Is the hockey better? Is the talent better? Perhaps.

But as long as the economics of this league are such that ownership is restricted to those with deep pockets and a willingness to bear losses— it will likely prove difficult to wean ‘daddy owners’ from the OJHL and reduce their influence in its direction. Perhaps the bigger worry is that in their attempt to enable their sons to play at an elite level—they water down the quality and profile of the league to which they aspire.

NO MYSTERY
On Monday night Cobourg clobbered Trenton 8-3. Does that score sound vaguely familiar? About two weeks ago Cobourg thrashed Wellington by a 9-2 score. As the Times reported then, Cobourg converted six of seven power play opportunities into goals in that game. The Dukes failed to score on any of its four power play opportunities.

Cut to Monday night. Cobourg scores five goals on seven power play chances. Trenton does not score a single goal on any of its five power play opportunities.

Cobourg coach Curtis Hodgins has his team playing disciplined, opportunistic hockey. His squad conscientiously guards its own end and capitalizes when given the chance. The Cougars are a smart hockey team that relies on discipline and structure, rather than an accumulation of talent.

Cobourg returns to Wellington on Friday night. There is no mystery behind the Cougars, success. Will the Dukes respond accordingly?

The puck drops at 7:30.