Great hire by Hawks
Posted by TimS on Tue, 08/04/2009 - 00:06
It’s about time somebody decided Kevin Cheveldayoff belonged in the NHL.
That somebody turned out to be Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman, who on Monday hired Cheveldayoff to be the Hawks’ assistant GM.
What a great hire by Bowman and the Hawks.
In his 12 years as general manager of the Chicago Wolves, Cheveldayoff won four championships and proved he knows how to identify talent.
“His track record at the American Hockey League level is un-matched," Bowman said.
It wasn’t easy for Cheveldayoff to leave the Wolves. It’s never easy for anyone to leave the Wolves, who run a first-class organization from top to bottom. But the NHL is the NHL, and the up-and-coming Hawks and accomplished Cheveldayoff, a winner, appear to be a perfect fit.
Looks like Wendell Young will replace KC at the Wolves.
Well the clock is now ticking for Baby Bowman. McD has his own guy in place when daddy's consulting contract is up, and you will be shown the door just like your mentor was. Will it be the same way? Will someone in your office hold back the QOs to sabotage your career?
Kevin..welcome to the NHL. The big question is how long he will last in Chicago. KC might be a better GM than Stanley B. right now. SO how much of anything will the Hawks let him do. Maybe since Rocky and Jerry Reinsdorf were spotted together dining at Sox-Yankees last weekend, JR talked Rocky into giving KC some NHL GM exp. before the Chariman takes him to Phoenix. When JR gets the Coyotes he will slash some serious payroll, probably ex-99 and his 7-8 million a year too. KC who was in the mix for a Phoenix job before could be Jerry's guy and at the right price. Or like the Hawks brought in the Bowmans to keep an eye on Savvy and Dale, maybe KC is Rocky's guy to keep an eye on the Bowman's. When the Coyote's under Reinsdorf become the NHL's version of "The kid's can play", who better to have as a GM than somebody who know's the AHL inside and out.
How many decisions are the higher ups going to let HIM make?
The Wolves have won so many whatever they call their silver jug trophy because they sign 30 year old minor league has-beens and NHL never-will be to compete against teams like Rockford that are actually trying to develop young talent. Congrats to Steve Maltais on scoring 500 minor league goals. I actually think half the fans who attend a game don't even know they are watching minor league hacks not the best players in the world. And as far as their family value spin you can throw that out the door.
I can take my son to see the Hawks, sit in the 300 level, park for free on Washington and see the best players in the world for less than what it would cost me to pay $10 for Wolves tickets and the joke $15 parking at the Allstate Arena.
Welcome to the big leagues, Cheveldayoff !
Al MacIsaac was at the convention as window dressing, or will the official title of SENIOR DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY ADMINISTRATION / ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT mean he is in the loop, or just McDonough's go-between?
Where does this leave super scout Mark Kelley, who was absent from the Hawk convention?
Following Rick Dudley out the door to Atlanta?
I'll bet the hawks organization would love to see Canada Olympic hockey by-pass their tandem of Seabrook-Keith so they at least get a little relaxation after this grueling 120 game schedule and Euro tour...
BTW, saw a Seabrook jersey in Georgia yesterday...
Keith has a better chance than Seabrook of being selected and I'd still say his chances are slim.
is a class act - a professional businessman. Part of the success the Wolves had was based in part with the people he surrounded himself with, including Kevin. Thanks, Mr. Levin for allowing Keving to interview with the hawks - I'm sure he will dissapoint you!!
This will be a great lose for the Wolves and a big win for the Blackhawks. At least Chicago is still a winner with Kevin Cheveldayoff staying in town. Kevin is one of the reasons that the Wolves have done so well over the years.
The Blackhawks could not have picked a better assistant GM.
Congratulations Kevin and good luck on your new job. You will be missed at the Wolves games.