OUR
COMMUNITY
OUR TEAM
OUR LOSS
While I have two young boys playing in local
hockey programs and numerous close
friends that just love the game I admit that
I am probably the last person that should be
commending on the state of affairs with the
Flags.
However, as I sat in the stands at
couple of weeks ago, as the Flags
loss again in a half empty hockey arena, the future
of the Flags seemed at risk.
Most telling to me was the look on the face
of my good friend,
Morris Synder.
Morris absolutely loves hockey. His greatest
wish is for
winning hockey team.
But, written all over his face this day was not
just the agony of defeat but the realization
that another attempt to bring professional
hockey to the Blue Water area was on the edge.
Like before, the Flags started out with a lot of
energy and belief that this time the stars were
aligned and this community was at last going to have
professional hockey for a long time to come.
They had a vision to put hockey back
on the ice a year ago did a great job of putting
it all into action.
The team’s name, the “Port Huron Flags”
raised the spirit of the past with all of the
nostalgia you can imagine.
The team slogan “Our Community…Our Team” instantly
making all of us part of the success or failure
of this endeavor.
And of course, the City of
community leaders jumped on the bandwagon
which lead to more media and community
support which lead to ticket sales and all
of those people writing $ 10,000 checks
and advertising dollars.
The most important things was
again had hockey. Happy
days were here again !
Oh sure there were missteps. Opening night
a year ago could have gone better. Some of
those people with the $ 10,000 checks could
have delivered on their pledge better.
And the battle with the Times Herald
over their coverage and reporters was,
well, ill advised.
I remember a few years ago while
having lunch with Mike Ilitch the
conversation turned to sports. I asked
Mike how he had been able to turn
the Red Wings into a dynasty
but the Tigers, and this was before
the Tigers had the worst win/loss
record in their history, have faltered.
He basically told me that with sport
organizations there is no magic formula.
From the Front Office to Management to
the Players, everyone had to be hitting
on all cylinders at the same time.
But with sports teams it always gets
down to winning teams. Put winners
on the field of dreams and they will come.
But, losing teams make for long
seasons, both in fun and money.
The bottom line for the Flags
is that no matter how hard the dream
is pursued losing seasons and an empty
purse means this will probility lead to the
end for the Flags, I’m hearing as early as January.
Unless a white knight shows up, over forty
years of Port Huron Hockey history from the
Flags to the Wings, the Clippers, the Border
Cats, the North Americans, the Beacons
and now the Flags tell us that without a lot
of public support or deep pockets
Teams just can’t make it.
Not one has ever made a profit, not
one could overcome the problems.
This all impacts our Downtown,
our Community and especially the hand full of people
that put their heart and soul into this dream.
Nobody has poured more of
themselves into this attempt than Chuck Barrett.
For two years now the Flags have been his life.
If it is not to be, than so be it, but Chuck has poured
his heart and soul into making this dream of Port
Huron Professional Hockey work.
While disappointing there has to be a lot of
satisfaction in having tried !
By the way, there are very successful
hockey programs here in the Blue Water
area.
Minor League Hockey at McMorran
Place and Glacier Pointe,
year after year, run programs
with largely volunteers. Hundreds of mothers
and fathers devote endless hours to skating
and hockey programs for kids from pre-school
to high school.
You want to see real hockey ? Go watch
four, five, six and seven year olds, dressed like
professionals, play for the pure fun and joy
of the sport. You’ll love it !