For the next 10 weeks, the IHHL will be taking a closer look at the owners of the IHHL Teams. Our cub reporter, Bobby BeauFont will be sitting down with each team owner to find out more about them as people and their vision for the IHHL. We open the series with an interview with IHHL Commissioner and Milwaukee Monarchs Owner, Derek Heilmann.
GM: Mr. Commissioner, thank you for sitting with us today, on Game Misconducts inaugural, Better Know an Owner.
Derek: Happy to be here.
GM: This is your second season as Commissioner of the IHHL. How do you balance your time between your business, coaching the team, new father, and your duties as commissioner?
Derek: It’s a constant struggle. I’m very blessed to have a family that really understands what it is that I do and that is as passionate about the business and league as I am.
GM: What are your plans for this year? Anything we can let the fans know about?
Derek: This year we are really excited to be announcing that in addition to the Outdoor Classic, the IHHL will be introducing the Third Jersey program as well as the IHHL Stadium Series.
The Third Jersey program is a nod to roots of the IHHL. An opportunity to pay homage to beginnings and re-introduce our fan base to some of the uniqueness of our league.
The Stadium Series is the IHHL’s way to get more teams into outdoor games. We want to have as many teams play outdoors for the fans as possible.
GM: Last year was a rough year for you; both on a personal level as well as professionally. What were some of the hard fought lessons you learned?
Derek: Last year was very trying. The biggest takeaway for me, was, everyday is important and that we can’t take anything for granted.
GM: From last year, how do you answer the questions of cronyism? To be clear, you did bring in two friends as owners who drafted high profile players and then, effectively tanked their respective teams.
Derek: I categorically deny any charges of cronyism. I brought in two owners who I believed would be wonderful additions to our growing league. Clearly I miss-read the intentions of Mr. Moran and due to the ongoing legal issues I can’t comment more on him, however, I believe that Mr. Prudente would have been a great owner had he not had his accident at the beginning of the season. Frankly, I don’t appreciate the constant rumor mongering that comes out of your publication.
GM: Sorry, lets move on shall we? Do you feel that losing your friends like that to impacted your ability to coach the Monarchs during the playoffs last season?
Derek: Dom was a great personal friend of mine and he is deeply missed. One of the changes we are making this year is that all proceeds from the All Star game are going into a fund for Dom’s family. We, all of the league owners and representatives from the players, talked about it and we feel that this the right thing to do.
In retrospect, I probably should have not been coaching the team in the playoffs. There was so much going on, but I did what did. No going back.
GM: Rumors are that Dom never really died. That the entire affair was staged as part of an insurance scam and that purported images of the accident scene are in fact, scenes from National Lampoons Animal House. How do you react to such charges?
Derek: That is incredibly offensive and I will not give you the satisfaction of a response.
GM: So you are not saying that those rumors are false. Very well, moving on. With so much of Knight Industries tied up in league contracts and exclusives, do you feel that the graft and corruption is too much or just right?
Derek: Knight Industries was a partner of the IHHL long before I became Commissioner. All partnerships are vetted and approved by the owners. I have nothing else to say on that matter.
GM: Is it true that David Hasselhoff, while holding the position of team goalie coach, Knight Industries and Monarchs Spokesman, has been engaging in contract talks with the Harpswell Mayors?
Derek: Those rumors were started by the owner of the Mayors and are completely false. I have, however, signed a deal with their former mascot, Toronto mayor Robert Ford. You’ll see him appearing in Knight Brewing ads next month.
GM: Do you feel that the adjustments that you made to this year leagues rules have had a profound impact on your teams performance so far, or are the changes more of a long term strategy to benefit the Monarchs?
Derek: I will not sit here and listen to you disparage both myself and my organization. *removes microphone and leaves*
GM: Mr. Commissioner, thank you for sitting with us today, on Game Misconducts inaugural, Better Know an Owner.
Derek: Happy to be here.
GM: This is your second season as Commissioner of the IHHL. How do you balance your time between your business, coaching the team, new father, and your duties as commissioner?
Derek: It’s a constant struggle. I’m very blessed to have a family that really understands what it is that I do and that is as passionate about the business and league as I am.
GM: What are your plans for this year? Anything we can let the fans know about?
Derek: This year we are really excited to be announcing that in addition to the Outdoor Classic, the IHHL will be introducing the Third Jersey program as well as the IHHL Stadium Series.
The Third Jersey program is a nod to roots of the IHHL. An opportunity to pay homage to beginnings and re-introduce our fan base to some of the uniqueness of our league.
The Stadium Series is the IHHL’s way to get more teams into outdoor games. We want to have as many teams play outdoors for the fans as possible.
GM: Last year was a rough year for you; both on a personal level as well as professionally. What were some of the hard fought lessons you learned?
Derek: Last year was very trying. The biggest takeaway for me, was, everyday is important and that we can’t take anything for granted.
GM: From last year, how do you answer the questions of cronyism? To be clear, you did bring in two friends as owners who drafted high profile players and then, effectively tanked their respective teams.
Derek: I categorically deny any charges of cronyism. I brought in two owners who I believed would be wonderful additions to our growing league. Clearly I miss-read the intentions of Mr. Moran and due to the ongoing legal issues I can’t comment more on him, however, I believe that Mr. Prudente would have been a great owner had he not had his accident at the beginning of the season. Frankly, I don’t appreciate the constant rumor mongering that comes out of your publication.
GM: Sorry, lets move on shall we? Do you feel that losing your friends like that to impacted your ability to coach the Monarchs during the playoffs last season?
Derek: Dom was a great personal friend of mine and he is deeply missed. One of the changes we are making this year is that all proceeds from the All Star game are going into a fund for Dom’s family. We, all of the league owners and representatives from the players, talked about it and we feel that this the right thing to do.
In retrospect, I probably should have not been coaching the team in the playoffs. There was so much going on, but I did what did. No going back.
GM: Rumors are that Dom never really died. That the entire affair was staged as part of an insurance scam and that purported images of the accident scene are in fact, scenes from National Lampoons Animal House. How do you react to such charges?
Derek: That is incredibly offensive and I will not give you the satisfaction of a response.
GM: So you are not saying that those rumors are false. Very well, moving on. With so much of Knight Industries tied up in league contracts and exclusives, do you feel that the graft and corruption is too much or just right?
Derek: Knight Industries was a partner of the IHHL long before I became Commissioner. All partnerships are vetted and approved by the owners. I have nothing else to say on that matter.
GM: Is it true that David Hasselhoff, while holding the position of team goalie coach, Knight Industries and Monarchs Spokesman, has been engaging in contract talks with the Harpswell Mayors?
Derek: Those rumors were started by the owner of the Mayors and are completely false. I have, however, signed a deal with their former mascot, Toronto mayor Robert Ford. You’ll see him appearing in Knight Brewing ads next month.
GM: Do you feel that the adjustments that you made to this year leagues rules have had a profound impact on your teams performance so far, or are the changes more of a long term strategy to benefit the Monarchs?
Derek: I will not sit here and listen to you disparage both myself and my organization. *removes microphone and leaves*
No comments:
Post a Comment