Join us for a Town Hall Meeting

EVERETT – Thanks to all the season ticket and package holders who joined us for the first-ever Silvertips Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, January 31, at the Holiday Inn Downtown Everett.  Over 100 supporters joined General Manager Garry Davidson and Executive Vice President Zoran Rajcic for a three-hour discussion on a wide range of topics surrounding the Everett Silvertips both on and off the ice, including the direction of hockey operations, game-night experience and club philosophies.

For interested parties who were unable to make it to the meeting, the following is a recap of the main topics that were discussed and some of highlights from the meeting:

–  The meeting began with introductory comments from both Zoran and Garry, who greeted the fans and presented brief overviews on both business and hockey operations, respectively.

–  “The Guarantee”  During introductory remarks, Zoran and Garry introduced a new guarantee for season ticket/package holders who renew their seats for next year by March 1.  If the team does not finish in 6th place or better in the Western Conference in 2013-14, full season ticket holders who renewed early will receive a $100 credit per seat for 2014-15, while package holders will receive $50 per account.  Zoran also pointed out that season ticket prices have remained mostly the same in the past ten years, something which will continue next year with the exception of some gradual re-structuring of group seats in the upper level.

–  Working Together  Garry spoke about the need for the business and hockey operations to work in concert for a strong organization.  The goal is to make this franchise one of the elite franchises in the WHL and a consistent top-four finisher.  We’re making steps, but it doesn’t happen overnight.  The first part of his tenure was evaluation and not wholesale changes.  Some people have now been moved because he felt that they didn’t with the plan to make this franchise an elite WHL franchise.  He’s tried to allow everyone in the organization the opportunity to speak their opinions.

Questions/Topics of Discussion

Q:    Ryan Murray is gone, when are we going to name a captain that plays?
A:    Garry – We have been thinking about this one.  However, we are doing an evaluation of the players but want to take our time making the right decision rather than rushing.  Added Landon Oslanski as a fourth Alternate Captain.

Q:    Why are there so many people selling 50/50 right inside the front door?  Why don’t we add some booths there?
A:    Zoran – Lost a lot of space to expanded building things.  It ends up being one of the only functional spots for 50/50.  We will address this will Aaron.  This is a fundraiser for the people selling.

Comment:  Want to compliment the organization for having this meeting.  Love this opportunity to come in speak to us.

Q:    Problem with people selling things, while the puck is moving in the aisle.
A:    Zoran – Text HYD to #####.  The building should be the one to address this, as they need to have more ushers and they need to hear it from the FANS!  Flood that text number!!  The PFD board has regular meetings.  It is a public forum, please bring it to them too.

Q:    What has changed at the entrance where there are now really severe choke points?  When it comes to maintenance of the seats, who do we go to?
A:    Zoran – Choke points – barcode scanners were changed recently.  They are supposed to be working better.  We will work with the building with getting more doors open at prime times.  Maintenance of seats – if your seat is broken, tell Guest Services.  We will let the operations department know and get it fixed ASAP.  If you don’t tell us, we can’t get it fixed.  It may take a few days, but we get it fixed.  Cupholders, too!  If you are still missing your cupholder, let us know!

Q:    Choke points are an issue of checking bags.  Maybe a line for people with bags and a line for no bags?
A:    Zoran – 6 doors for season ticket holders and less for the walk-up.  Maybe all STH to the back doors??  We want to create a solution to make it easier for STH.

Q:    When we have a choir singing, is it possible to increase the number of microphones.
A:    Zoran – it is, but we need to find/arrange the appropriate equipment.

Q:    The music is awful and it is too loud.
A:    Zoran – will speak to Aaron and Joel about sound level.  It will be addressed for Friday’s game.  We are going to start taking suggestions for music: [email protected]. The league really liked what we are playing, but we want to address everyone’s likes/dislikes.

Q:    Season ticket holders used to be able to enter at suite level, why no more?
A:    Zoran – Club and Suite holders felt overwhelmed.  This is an area that we plan to readdress with the building.  We need to find a balance between STH and the suite/club seat holders.

Q:    Choke points – on promotional nights fans have gotten better about lining up, but on some nights the lines tend to get merged with the walk ups.  Maybe hand out tickets to the people waiting outside, before they get in to the door.
A:    Zoran – Good point.  Option on big giveaways to pre-purchase before season so you don’t have to stand in line. If we guaranteed all STH a promotional item, it costs a lot!  Giving tickets or directing traffic a good idea.

Q:    Educating our fans about leaning forward in their seats.  People lean and you can’t see.
A:    Zoran – Suggested adding something into the game script to mention this.

Q:    Has the lighting changed?  Have to wear sunglasses starting this year in section  118 because the lights are in our eyes.
A:    Zoran – Not sure.  Maybe the building has changed the bulbs or the angle of the fixtures.

Q:    Have we thought about going paperless with season tickets.
A:    Zoran – Yes.  We have looked into a credit card-type season ticket that can be scanned.  It would cost us less.  If someone wanted a paper ticket, we could still print in our office.  We are also looking into print-at-home.

Q:    Have you thought about retiring Mitch Love’s #2?
A:    Zoran – We have discussed the idea of retiring numbers, but want to take our time with those decisions.  Mitch and a number of other great players in our short history may be deserving of that honor, and the question of “why not this person” will eventually come up.  We also don’t want to run out of numbers!  There will be eventually be a time and place.  We may come up with a short list someday and then go to the fans.

Q:    Kevin Constantine is available.  Will he be considered for the coaching job?
A:    Garry – I have had a number of emails and calls from many coaches who are interested.  After the season we will build a file of interested parties.  We hope to define the position on April 1 and put together a questionnaire to get to the short list.  There are a lot of quality people out there that can coach.  We need someone who will be compatible with what we are trying to do.   We want to get the right person in here who fits into the long term goals.

Q:    Recent 8-0 and 6-0 losses to Portland.  Why were we more competitive against them earlier in the season?
A:    Garry – It has something to do with the changes we are making.  We are trying to play their game and they are way ahead of us.  We could switch back to the previous style, but that won’t help us long term.  We are playing five 16-year-olds.  The development of a player from 16 to 18 is phenomenal.  Portland has many players with at least three years of WHL experience and  some with five.  I hope that within a short period of time we narrow that gap.

Q:      Earlier you said that you wanted to maintain an elite club.  Is there going to be a time when we try to “sell the farm” and “go for it” to win the Memorial Cup, only to suffer for it the next year?
A:    Garry – We have to get to the point of being consistently competitive first.  Hopefully at one time, we will be in a position to make that decision.  Hopefully we will have enough depth in the organization to not have a huge drop-off.  Hopefully you put together a program that is elite every year.

Q:    Will they ever bring back the “Hockey in Heels” event?
A:    Zoran – We are trying, but ran out of dates for this year.  It is something that we will resurrect next year.  When we do it, we want to get back to around 300 women again.  We want a bigger crowd to make it worthwhile and give it the respect that it deserves.  

Q:    What is the number one quality you want in the next head coach?
A:    Garry – I don’t know if there is one definitive thing that we are looking for but I know one thing that’s very important is to be able to teach.  I think that some coaches assume that players at this level know what to do and that isn’t the case.  A lot of time players have been elite at lower level, but developed bad habits that won’t serve them well.  A lot of coaches give lip service to development.  We need to have a balance between winning and development.  Sometimes losing 6-0 isn’t fun but it’s imperative in growing these young players.   I think a lot of ex-players rely on just winning, and that and it isn’t enough.

Q:    When we first started we had a very defensive team.  I would much rather see us win 1-0 than 6-0.  I want to see more defense in the next coach.
A:     Garry – I hope people don’t think I am not about defense.  I think there needs to be balance.  You can play with the puck or without the puck.  I want to play the game with the puck.  As a fan, you get up when there’s a big hit, a big fight and when we score goals.  I don’t want to sacrifice defense.  I think defense is a more coachable thing.  You can make a mediocre defensive player into a good defensive player.

Q:    Has it ever been discussed to break the season in half like in the Northwest League (baseball) and get a second chance?  It would have been nice to start again after Christmas and be 0-0.
A:    Zoran – I don’t know if our league has ever done it.  I know that baseball does it because of the roster turnover.  With us, I know that winning a game in October and winning a game in March is both two points.  It would be impossible to balance the season to the point where it would be fair.  A team could load their schedule with lesser teams at the end to get a number one seed.  Garry – I don’t know that I am in favor of that.  I believe our goal is to grow our team throughout the course of the year to peak at the playoffs.  I think with weather factors and such and distance, it would be very difficult.

Q:    Have you considered having matinee games? i.e. before 5pm on Sunday. Some teams play early games on holidays.
A:     Zoran – I know Portland has done that before, and had some success with it. However, there are issues with scheduling. Our team could be in Kamloops on Saturday and have to make it back here for an early Sunday game. We could look at bumping up our Sunday games slightly though, maybe to 4:05 instead of 5:05.

Q:    A few years ago several young players were traded off for older ones and it didn’t work out well. What is your approach; do you plan on trading young players out for older ones?
A:     Garry – I’m a big believer in keeping the players you develop if they buy into the system you have. There were a lot of older players on the trade wire that we could have grabbed this year and we didn’t want to sacrifice our young players. I don’t think it’s a successful approach to building a team.

Q:     A lot of our players are small, skill players. Have you considered bringing a bigger, more aggressive player (fighter) on board to protect those smaller skill guys?
A:     Garry – Zoran, Mitch & I have looked over our roster for next year and that could be an area of need for us in the future.  I do think we have some players with the “sandpaper” to their game for next year. But it’s a balance; you do need those smaller skill players and gritty, physical guys on your team in order to win games.

Q:     I’m concerned with the loudness of the PA system during the games. I wear headphones to games and between periods I have to yell to talk to the guy next to me. I’d like to at least see the sound turned down between periods.
A:    Zoran – We have addressed that with our operations staff and you will see a difference in the volume of sound Friday night. Also, I just want to reiterate how much we appreciate our outside help and support form you season ticket holders.

Q:    Our team this year seems to be very unhealthy and I’m just curious to know if we can expect the health of the team to improve?
A:    Garry – I think it is the same for the whole league this time of the season. Everyone is a little banged up this time of year and it’s something we have to play through.   Unfortunately we seem to be getting hit especially hard right now (mentioned several players and the condition of their current injuries).

Q:    A few years ago an Ontario Hockey League team (the Soo Greyhounds) was brought in for preseason. Have you considered doing that again?
A:    Zoran – We have considered doing it again. There have been some problems with other commitments and the cost. It would have cost us $20,000 in order to get them out here. There were also issues with the WHL allowing it to happen and the insurance liabilities. We have also looked at bringing in a European team, or even Victoria.

Q:    Would it be possible to bring another NHL Exhibition game at Comcast Arena?
A:    Zoran – We actually had one scheduled for this year. However, the lockout got in the way of that. Also, the NHL felt that the teams needed play exhibition games in their own market in order to build up the fan base.  But we will certainly look at potentiallly doing that again in the future.

Q:    Do you think Everett could make a successful bid to host a Memorial Cup?
A:     Zoran – Bank of Montreal pays a significant amount for sponsorship for the Memorial Cup in Canada.  We made a bid a few years ago and Bank of Montreal had first rights of refusal, they decided that we would have to guarantee more than 2 million in revenues and ended up choosing Brandon.  Although we are not willing to sell the farm in order to host the Memorial Cup, we will evaluate the strength of our team the next time that opportunity comes around and decide if it’s feasible to make another run at it.

Q:    Regarding the Seth Jones trade
A:    Garry – I hadn’t been on the job three hours and I knew that my number one job was to try and get Seth Jones here.  I was told that Seth would go to Portland or North Dakota.  I could have stalled like Tri City did with Jonathan Toews, who then went to North Dakota, never played in the WHL and they got nothing for him.  I made the best deal I felt I could make.  Seth is certainly a great player, but we gave up what we feel was a one-year player and got three great young players in return who will be here for a number of years.

Q:    Why are we no longer on Comcast on Demand but the Thunderbirds are?
A:    Zoran – That would cost about 100 to 110 thousand dollars a season.  Because we don’t have the technologies to put our in game video and audio together for that, we made the decision not to do that.  As an operation, we try to maintain a certain standard and we couldn’t get it up to our standards without incurring significant extras costs.

Thanks again to all the fans for their comments, concerns, suggestions and other contributions to this healthy discussion about the present and future of Everett Silvertips hockey!

Mini-game packages, flex packs and single-game tickets for the Silvertips’ 10th Anniversary season at Comcast Arena are on sale now.  For more information call 425-252-5100.  To keep up with all the latest team news and information, “like” the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club on Facebook or follow @WHLSilvertips on Twitter.