vees:blog

Weird to be talking about the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on the opening day of the playoffs, but there are some news items regarding the BCHL’s 2-year Island Doormat.

“Systemic Issues”

On Monday Allan Kerr addressed the Media at a Press Conference in Port Alberni following the Bulldogs severing ties with Bryant Perrier.

Nothing too spicy here. Just lots of talk about turning the program around, finding their new Head Coach and GM, and Port Alberni being a hockey hotbed.

Bryant Perrier made this statement following Sunday’s news and Kerr’s Monday media scrum.

Some unusual comments were made Perrier in the statement:

Regarding their dreadful early-season play:

“Circumstances outside my control continually drained on everything from team unity to the way our team played. I was never able to put my stamp on the team in a role of head coach. This included game plans, line-ups, leadership issues, ice time, and the way certain players were used.”

Perrier says he then approached ownership about giving him full control of the club, which they granted. He talks about team improvement:

“…for the first time in 2 years players were finally rewarded for efforts. As a coach, I was finally able to coach and manage the way I wanted to”

He goes on to say:

“It was the way it should have been since day one. Despite some systemic issues I have no bitterness towards anyone…”

In closing he states:

“My deepest regret is that I could not have given the players and fans the same type of environment in the Fall, that we were able to give you from November on, You deserved it”

YIKES!

Whether the ’systemic issues’ have anything to do with the OHA, or not, I don’t know. But I do know that those types of statements made by a former employee of both the OHA and the Bulldogs make for horrendous optics as the OHA is the majority owner of the Bulldogs.

One wonders how a hockey school can run a BCHL franchise while managing conflicts of interest between the two entities.

So while Coach Perrier will wear the goat horns in 08/09 and won’t be back for 09/10, can we say the same thing about the alleged ’systemic issues’?

BCHL Broadcaster of the Year

Congrats to Evan Hammond who was named the first ever ‘BCHL Broadcaster of the Year’

The man they call ‘Hammer’ is as entertaining as they come, and is a huge booster of BCHL hockey on the Island. His blogging, morning show hosting on ‘The Peak’ in Port Alberni, weekly BCHL talk-show, and game broadcasts are a big reason why the Bulldogs are as adored as they are.

Hammer is making news as he applies for the ‘Greatest Job in the World’, Check out his video application and maybe I won’t have to compete against him for this award next season!

Congrats Hammer!