Tom Gawryletz Interview (No Audio Yet)

For those interested in the details of Trail's financial situation, I can't seem to get the audio of my interview with Tom Gawryletz to post on to our website tonight. I'll try again when I get back from the long weekend. I'll make sure we have it uploaded by Tuesday because it's important stuff. I believe it's important we clarify the current situation.

It would be very easy to sensationalize this story and yell from the hills about the Smokies running a nearly $28,000 dollar deficit. That is the current number, but we have to make sure all the facts are out there. Usually by this time the team would be able to include the revenue from Kootenay Crystler Bull-a-rama and the revenue from BCHL advertising. That money didn't come in before the end of the fiscal year. In reality, the loss is more like $6000 to $7000. That's certainly something to be concerned about, but it isn't a doom and gloom scenario.

In fact, Tom points out in the interview that the BCHL is likely going to change the travel schedule in a way that would cut their expenses almost by the exact amount of their true deficit. There is lots of reason for optimism. This season there was a new President, a new executive, a new Coach and GM... it was a year of change and a year of many challenges. A last minute coaching change, a rash of non stop injuries, a horrible schedule in January and an underachieving team. They all put the team into a bit of a hole this off season.

However, all those new parts of the team are now experienced and ready to role for next season. The Smokies are recruiting non-stop to bring in hard working, blue collar players. The Alumni dinner and golf tournament is going to be bigger than ever this year with Brian Burke and Cesar Maniago at the dinner (pick up tickets at Gerick Cycle or AM Ford) which this year will be for 500 people! The team can also point to a great record this season of getting their players scholarships to good schools despite all the talk about how scouts never come to Trail. The results are good, the base of support is good, the passion here is still strong.

A 10% decrease in attendance is a problem. That's something the team is gong to try to address next year with some new marketing strategies. Tom Gawryletz touched on some of the ways they might do that in the interview. They're also going to address it by trying to put together the type of team fans in this area love. Hard working, gritty, tough and of course... a winner.

Don't let that first number fool you. This isn't a doom and gloom situation. It's a problem, but one this executive and this team of staff, players and volunteers is definitely going to overcome.

Show your support by going to the fundraisers and buying your tickets.. and this team will be hear for years to come.

NOTES

I'm off to Banff for the weekend so I hope you all enjoy May long. We'll be back after the weekend. I've got an interview with the Jones Twins to pass along. They'll be joining former Smokie David Arduin at Quinnipiac in 2010. Congrats to the Montrose natives on what should be a great opportunity!

Oh, and lets hope Rossland's Dallas Drake and the Red Wings lock up their spot in the Stanley Cup Finals with a win on Saturday.

Take care!