THE FREE PRESS SPORTS DECEMBER 29, 1994
19
Cougars grow through patience
Past 12 months
By SHANE MILLS
Prince George Free Press
    Patience is a virtue. And Rick Brodsky believes that virtue, when combined with a good draft, is the way to build a successful hockey team.
    The past 12 months have been ones of upheaval and settlement, disappointments and highs for the Prince George Cougars. And through it all, Brodsky has maintained he’s going to stay the course plotted out three years ago when he bought the team.
    Sitting in his office three days before Christmas, Brodsky says no one should expect big changes to the complexion of the Cougars.
    “It’s pretty hard to fill the gaps at this time of the year. We pretty much have to go with what we have,” he explains, adding any players they may pick up are being put on the trading block for a reason.
    But, despite an 0-10 start and a string of one-goal losses, Brodsky still has faith in the talent that gathers in the Cougars dressing room. “It’s like we have two teams. The one that builds a 4-1 lead in the first 55 minutes...”
    He doesn’t finish the thought, leaving the Cougars penchant for
 Rick Brodsky says his Cougars have what It takes to put together a successful season, free press file rhoto
blowing leads unsaid. He simply says: “I like the first team better.”
    Brodksy, who acts as the team’s general manager, has steadfastly maintained that coach Doug Hobson’s job is built on rock and argues the draft is the way to build a team.
    “In the last two drafts, the only
ones we've been responsible for, our scouts have done an excellent job. Our draft picks are as good or better than anybody’s.”
    In fact, Brodksy is adamant trying to trade for all the winning pieces is not the way to go. In junior hockey, the turnover of players is so frequent the draft is the only choice
have seen WHL squad go backwards and forward at same time
and good teams, argues Brodsky, build a base that continually supplies them with top-notch players.
    And Brodksy has some insight into what builds a winning hockey team; his family owns the Saskatoon Blades (he acted as business manager) and he is the chair of the Western Hockey League’s Board of Governors.
    Brodsky struck out on his own and purchased the Victoria Cougars, who were struggling on the ice and at the box office. But the team’s business manager says even though the Cougars decided to head north, Victoria "doesn’t get the credit it deserves.”
    Dane McKinnon notes the Cougars averaged more fans in Victoria than can fit into the Prince George Coliseum. “And they were loud and rowdy.”
    However, there were some problems. “Weekdays weren’t so good and we didn’t sell a lot of season’s tickets,” says McKinnon. As well, there were no plans in Victoria for construction of a new arena, something the Cougars felt was essential to the economic viability of the franchise.
    When Prince George residents approved a new multiplex, the Cougars were interested. “Opportu-
nity knocks and we answered the door,” says McKinnon.
    With the advent of the University of Northern British Columbia, the new courthouse and the civic centre, the Cougars believe Prince George is a good place to be.
    Once the decision was made to come north, there was plenty of work to be done. “I think we’ve done an awful lot in a small amount of time,” says McKinnon.
    It’s important, he says, to remember the Cougars have more than the players to worry about; there’s the business side, the concession and the box office. “Most teams don’t have that much.”
    And if setting up shop in a brand-new city wasn’t enough, the Cougars are also intimately involved in getting the Multiplex ready. “It’s a little overwhelming,” admits McKinnon.
    And things won’t slow down in the new year. The Cougars have to try and find that winning formula to satisfy increasingly win-thirsty fans; they have to prepare for the draft; and get ready for the move to the Multiplex.
    And Rick Brodsky has one other ambition. “Our goal is to be northern B.C.’s team, not just Prince George’s team.”
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