4 replies to this topic

[DropThePuck]

The new executive director of the NHL Players' Association looked to the future Wednesday, offering a fresh path for a union that has stumbled in recent times.

"I don't want to dwell on the past," Paul Kelly said during a half-hour news conference at a downtown Toronto hotel.
...
"To the fans, I want to say that I am a fan myself. And I want what I think you want. And I will try to do my part to help bring it about. That is quality, competitive play on the ice surface night after night. Greater access and exposure to the elite athletes and outstanding guys who play this game. Wider television and multi-media coverage of our sport. Better merchandising and improved marketing of the sport of professional hockey. Players who understand and respect the history and traditions of the game and who play the game with a healthy respect for their opponents, who are their fellow members of the Players' Association. And lastly, to have as little mention of lockouts, strikes and labour strife as humanly possible." - Kelly.

<link>

[Dark Knight]

That left me teary eyed...

[lvsprt]

That left me teary eyed...

Could we appoint him commissioner and kick Bettman out?????

[Reb]

That left me teary eyed...

I don't believe I could have expressed it any better.

I need a kleenix.

[DropThePuck]

Interesting quote from our former captain in an article that DK posted in the 2008 All-Star game thread:

"In this business, they say any attention is good attention," said greybeard Scott Niedermayer, who admits that maybe the players can learn from the marketing side of the business. "Maybe it is a bit of a problem, when you're trying to do new things to the game. Maybe the players don't welcome that as much as they should.

"We have to realize that if it does help sell the game, we'll benefit. Maybe we have to put a little more effort in."

<link>

I wonder if Kelly can forge a new partnership with the NHL to bring in positive changes or at least a positive way to grow the fan base.