The new hockey director at DPSC Euless is Tom Yockey, a Yankee with some impressive credentials in youth hockey. Yockey now coaches the Southlake Carroll High School team while also managing hockey programs at DPSC Farmers Branch.
Before that, the Portage, Wisc., native and Eastern Michigan University grad worked in Michigan. He coached the vaunted Little Ceasars AAA club (Mike Modano and Steve Ott played for this club) in Detroit for four years before founding another Midget Major AAA team. Other jobs included high school coach in Pinckney. Yockey played Junior A hockey for the Detroit Jr. Red Wings in 1985-88.
Apparently, a lot of the info Knute used to run his program wasn't written down, so his former boss and others are left to put the pieces together. Their first step -- which shows you how screwed up things are right now -- is to figure out who coordinates the teams.
They have called a meeting for all adult league coordinators for Tuesday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Crossbar. Beer and pizza will be provided. Yockey will be there, along with his boss, Keith Andresen, director of hockey at all the StarCenters, and Andresen's boss, Ed Reusch, poobah of all the StarCenters.
They will be there "to discuss the season, playoffs, summer program and anything else you have on your mind. We welcome your ideas," they said in a flyer posted at the rink. I'm betting they will get an earful about scheduling, organization, communication and ... ringers.
Sources say Knute's wife, power skating instructor Jennifer Anderson, also has left the rink. She will run figure skating programs at Blue Line when it reopens. As for Knute, we have heard unpleasant stories (rumors?) about his departure, but we shall not repeat them.
I will say only this: He had his faults as a manager (ever try and reach him on the phone?), but he loves hockey, and he did a lot at DPSC to help grow the game. He built one hell of a thriving program at Euless -- 16 I-league teams and 12 in D-League!?! Outrageous! -- and he helped stoke a love for the game in many an over-the-hill beginner, including Yours Truly.
Best of luck, Knute, and thanks for what you did in Euless. Schedule us some good pickup times at Blue Line!
-BC
9 comments:
Coordinators - Hold out for the $9 beer...
mc pee pants approves
Dont forget to bring up reasonably priced food as well. The mini pizzas have got to go!
Pizza Hut is just down the road.
Freaking Stars!
{Freaking Stars!}
...but it looks like we won't need our playoff tickets for Saturday night and can make it to practice...
You People make me sick! You all loved Knute when he was there and now you are trashing him! Most of you would not be playing hockey if not for Knute! How many of you did he GIVE free equipment too! Lets not forget all of you cheap bastards that could not pay your hockey fees on time and how he paid it for you! Oh wait I forgot? How many of you jerk off's got to play in the "I" league when you had not business doing so! If you thought it was run so badly then why did you keep coming back! Tom is a great guy and very organized but you all have a very rude surprize coming! There are going to be drastic changes ahead and most of you will be playing at a higher level where you belong! Word is that they plan on getting rid of all the ringers and former college players and opening it up to true first time players! BTW you better not have any blow out games as they will use that against you and move your team out of the "I" league! There will also not be any repeat winners if you win the keg your team will be moved up to the "D" league! I am sure as time goes by most of you will come crawling over to blue line with your tail between your legs asking for Knute to forgive you. And most of you will wind up kissing Knute's ass just like you have done for the past 4 years!
um...who is trashing knute????
show me the documents where such a thing was said...
And actualy buddy....There arnt Drastic Changes ahead...For the most part the league will stay the same...what have you been smoking?
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