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Posted Aug. 31, 2002
Vote among WHL owners unanimous for illustrious group
By Annie Fowler
Herald staff writer
A little more than two months ago, the Tri-City Americans were not for sale.
Friday, the sale of the Americans by Mark Wagstaff to a group of investors that includes Darryl Porter, Brian Burke, Glen Sather and Bob Tory was unanimously approved by the Western Hockey League's Board of Governors.
"Being that it was a unanimous decision, that gives us the recognition that we have the right type of ownership to make things happen," said Porter, who will serve as the Americans president and plans to live in the Tri-Cities. "The history that (the team) has had, they feel we are the group to turn this around."
Wagstaff, who sold the team for an undisclosed price, owned the Americans for nearly 18 months. The sale creates the fifth different owner/ownership group in the franchise's 15 years in Kennewick.
"I had no thoughts of selling the team until they phoned me in June," said Wagstaff, who relinquished ownership at 1 p.m. Friday.
"I thought based on what they bring to the party that it would be a good fit for the program," Wagstaff added. "They will raise the profile of the team."
The franchise gained even more prestige this past week when it was announced that Sather, president and general manager of the New York Rangers, was part of the new ownership group.
Burke is president and GM of the Vancouver Canucks.
"Both of them said to me that the only way they would go into business with me in the WHL is with a 10-year plan," Porter said. "They would not have made an investment unless they were totally committed to the product. You get names like that and you know they are here for a long time."
Tory will remain as the club's GM and will focus on the hockey operations.
"It is very exciting to have the final stamp of approval," Tory said. "We can go ahead with building our plans for this team on and off the ice. This is a fresh start for the team."
* Being invited to a WHL camp is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some players. Mikel Rondeau of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was hoping to make an impact this weekend, but the 16-year-old forward has lace bite on both ankles and has had limited time on the ice.
"It's so cool to be here," Rondeau said. "It's overwhelming. But I can't actually get out there and skate and show them what I can do."
Lace bite occurs on the ankle and causes swelling that makes it painful to lace up the skates.
"I had it this summer and it went away," said Rondeau, who received treatment Friday. "Then first ice time (Thursday), it came back."
* Annie Fowler can be reached at 582-1574 or via e-mail at afowler@tri-cityherald.com.
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