An Irresistible Force by Melanie Ting

Author:Melanie Ting
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Melanie Ting

22

Papa’s Got a Brand New Plan

Chris

* * *

My plan for improving hockey operations at the Vice was finally done. It would be the first time I’d ever done a PowerPoint presentation in my entire life. But Amanda had suggested it, and then Nancy had been more than happy to help me set everything up. Usually I didn’t want to have to fiddle on a computer, but watching Amanda go over her financial forecasts made me realize that a picture was a really easy way to show stuff. I drew charts that were the equivalent of stick men drawings and Nancy converted them into something slick and colourful.

It wasn’t really a big deal: only me, Greg, and Amanda in the boardroom. But it was important for two reasons. First of all, it was the first time I’d done something like this all on my own. I figured out what had to be done and then did it. I’d gotten help from everyone here, as well as Swanny back at the Millionaires, but it was all my ideas. And secondly, whether they sold the team or not, the Richardsons needed to do something if they didn’t want to risk the team going bankrupt. And given the way things were going, that was something that might actually happen.

“Okay, here’s my plan for what needs to be done here. First of all, I’m not going to keep repeating myself, but you need to have a stronger affiliation with an NHL team. Every AHL team in the league counts on its parent for players and salary relief. The Vice need money, and that’s the best way to get it. You guys know that stuff already.”

Greg nodded. He had hinted that he wouldn’t mind doing something else and Amanda wanted to be in Toronto, but Jeannie and Thomas had different ideas.

“But if you sell or not, you’re gonna need a plan. Until you get more butts in seats, you’re operating at a loss, and you need to do some smart things to get a better team on the ice. I have found three areas that we can improve on.

“Number one: Style of play.”

Shit, I had forgotten to start the visuals. I clicked them on.

“Amanda and I talked about this at the game the other night. The Vice play a boring, grinding style of hockey. I don’t know if it’s chicken or egg, but Coach Panner clearly thinks that this is his only chance to win. But it ain’t workin’! And fans hate watching the game get slowed down. You play to a 5-4 loss, but at least you gave the fans four times to get out of their seats. But a 1-0 loss is not as pretty. And the team has lost its best d-man twice to injuries from blocking shots. It’s a philosophy, but I’d rather see the kind of fast game the Millionaires prefer. It’s a style that got us the Cup, but it takes speedy players that are committed to puck movement.”

I remembered to click to the next slide.

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