Well, it didn't take long for the Birch Group to further change the makeup of the Powell River Kings [“Hockey hall of famer assumes Powell River Kings GM position,” November 18].
With the public relations appointment of Glenn Anderson as general manager (GM), Stephan Seeger Junior as assistant GM, Chad van Diemen's demotion from GM to a symbolic position as vice president, the new president Stephan Seeger Senior has started the process to remake the Kings and take the first steps to eventually relocate the team.
It should be noted that Anderson has no previous hockey management experience, therefore it could be assumed the hockey decisions will be made by the assistant GM, who has little or no experience in that position.
With the top three positions occupied by people who do not live in the area, have no history, community knowledge or commitment to Powell River, the writing is certainly on the wall.
According to media releases, the local executive started discussions with Stephan Seeger Senior in March. When the Kings opened the season in September there was no mention of him, but it appears he was already running the club, according to his discussions with Anderson.
The first mention of changes was the article in the Peak [“Powell River Kings announce management partnership,” November 9].
Why was the Powell River Kings Hockey Club Society so secretive about what was transpiring? Why would a private real estate company based in New Jersey want to own the team?
The answers could be found in the corporate statements of the Birch Group: “We maximize the return on investment across our portfolio. We specialize in the acquisition, financing, disposition and management of commercial assets. The Birch Group takes the long view, employing a methodical approach to investment in the pursuit of institutional-quality assets that consistently outperform any market cycle.”
I assume the Kings are no longer a nonprofit entity. The 35-plus years as a locally owned and operated junior team have come to an end.
Chris Merrick is a former Powell River resident who now lives in Campbell River.
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