OHL findings Niagara Ice Dogs

[the dog]

https://ontariohockeyleague.com/arti...gs-hockey-club

[three dog night]

Not surprised by Billy surprise by Joey involvement.

[strohs]

I do not mean to kick on people when they are down so believe me I am biting my tongue BIG TIME.

It appears that they did not learn anything from the OHLs prior investigation into the team?

Wow. I suspected one of them (BB) would be found guilty of whatever offense it was, I am honestly just surprised by the lack of intelligence overall and that BOTH of them are in trouble.

So I guess the boys dont have jobs anymore?
Do the boys pay Sr. Back for the fine?

It is a blessing in disguise that they are both out but now what? Does Daddy sell the team? Part of me thinks this is the final nail in the coffin of the Burke ownership here. Hopefully I am wrong we have a lot to be thankful for them. Would be a shame to see them flame out like this.

I edited this post as a CKTB news release leads the reader to believe that it was for derogatory comments made about women. Wow

Embarrassing.


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[fishfan51]

Wonder if mom and dad are proud.

Completely embarrassing.

Far cry from their anti bullying campaign from a few years ago.

[NiceDawg]

Originally Posted by strohs

It is a blessing in disguise that they are both out but now what? Does Daddy sell the team? Part of me thinks this is the final nail in the coffin of the Burke ownership here. Hopefully I am wrong we have a lot to be thankful for them. Would be a shame to see them flame out like this.

Embarrassing.

It has been a mixed bag of brilliance and defeat. Unifying Niagara's hockey scene around a St. Catharines-based team was genius. The Burkes brought an exciting product to the area and then transformed it into a juggernaut within the OHL. Financially and in the community, the IceDogs have done well.

On the other hand, family are expensive. You can't fire your family, you can only hope that they live up to your expectations and deliver. Skilled positions within a hockey club are attained through progressive responsibility and a proven track record. If you are going to make it as a coach or a GM in the world of junior hockey, you have to compete, you have to keep getting better every year. Sadly, if you are given the job without the diploma earned through the school of hard knocks, and with no fear of being dismissed, it is easy to believe you have earned it.

Lastly, politics is a tough game to play. In hockey, there is always a player who doesn't measure up and will take whatever avenue is available to succeed anyhow, or drag you down on their way out. This is an easy game for most successful politicians to play, maintain your ethics and transparency, take the high road, and never believe your own positive press. If you anticipate that everyone is looking for a way to topple you from your perch you'll be right often enough to justify a careful approach.

I have a lot of respect for Bill Burke Sr. I admire his approach and I respect him as a person, a businessman, a member of the community, and as a father. I do believe he tried to combine all of those elements together in one hockey club, and I feel sorry for him that his sons have let him down. I hope he comes to a workable solution to continue the Niagara IceDogs under his ownership, with a new HC and GM, or that he finds a suitable new owner, makes a mint off the sale of the team and is successful in his next venture.

[fishfan51]

Originally Posted by NiceDawg

It has been a mixed bag of brilliance and defeat. Unifying Niagara's hockey scene around a St. Catharines-based team was genius. The Burkes brought an exciting product to the area and then transformed it into a juggernaut within the OHL. Financially and in the community, the IceDogs have done well.

On the other hand, family are expensive. You can't fire your family, you can only hope that they live up to your expectations and deliver. Skilled positions within a hockey club are attained through progressive responsibility and a proven track record. If you are going to make it as a coach or a GM in the world of junior hockey, you have to compete, you have to keep getting better every year. Sadly, if you are given the job without the diploma earned through the school of hard knocks, and with no fear of being dismissed, it is easy to believe you have earned it.

Lastly, politics is a tough game to play. In hockey, there is always a player who doesn't measure up and will take whatever avenue is available to succeed anyhow, or drag you down on their way out. This is an easy game for most successful politicians to play, maintain your ethics and transparency, take the high road, and never believe your own positive press. If you anticipate that everyone is looking for a way to topple you from your perch you'll be right often enough to justify a careful approach.

I have a lot of respect for Bill Burke Sr. I admire his approach and I respect him as a person, a businessman, a member of the community, and as a father. I do believe he tried to combine all of those elements together in one hockey club, and I feel sorry for him that his sons have let him down. I hope he comes to a workable solution to continue the Niagara IceDogs under his ownership, with a new HC and GM, or that he finds a suitable new owner, makes a mint off the sale of the team and is successful in his next venture.

I agree with this. However, I'm also on the other side of it. This team is stained in the eyes of the league and other organizations and deservedly so. It needs new ownership to get out from under this. Between getting caught "not paying players" and this and the way the head scout behaves, this organization is heading down the same dysfunctional road as the Flint Firebirds.

The Burkes, brought junior hockey back to Niagara. They did an amazing job in uniting the region. They built a great fanbase, got a new arena built (the jewel of St.Catharines IMO). They've done so much for the city/region. But, unfortunately the bad has outweighed the good by a large margin lately. It's time to move on and sell.

[Dogs Enthusiast 104]

Guessing a lot of people are somewhat happy.

Maybe the Doug Hamilton rumour was part of this.

Does anyone know if they are trying to appeal the decision or is this the end of it?

[retired/sectionJ]

Originally Posted by Dogs Enthusiast 104

Guessing a lot of people are somewhat happy.

Maybe the Doug Hamilton rumour was part of this.

Does anyone know if they are trying to appeal the decision or is this the end of it?

In my opinion, this is a done deal.

[NiceDawg]

Based on the contents of the chat, it would be impossible to argue it did not violate OHL policy.

[Paws and Reflect]

As a former 10 year seasons ticket holder for our Niagara IceDogs I am disappointed that all the good work and regional support the Burkes have created will now be overshadowed by these findings. It has become increasing easy these days with digital media and accessibility that these types of situations are being revealed more frequently. We just have to look back several months to then coach John Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders of the NFL being suspended and fired after inflammatory emails that had been sent several years ago. Everything said and printed has a digital footprint that remains for a very long time. As far as what lies ahead for our team that is definitely fodder for conversation. Bill Burke Sr. could conceivably decide to take on the General Managers job on paper and still effectively have Joey endorse and provide consultation. How could you ever police that? I hope the Ice Dogs go in a different direction and hire a coach and general manager that have the personal experience and even an NHL pedigree behind there name so that the Ice Dogs can once again get some quality players and become strong contenders once again. Everyone likes a good comeback story, lets hope this bump in the road is just a minor blip that we can overcome.