From The September 27, 1985 Edition Of The Hockey News

“What I see now is what I hoped it would be like. I thought sooner or later somebody would see the potential here."

Those, the words of a hockey executive talking about the fertile Seattle market.

Not in 2018, or 2008. The speaker was Seattle Thunderbirds director of player personnel Jake Goertzen, in 1985. New owners had just bestowed upon the franchise its new name, new uniform design, and most crucially, new infusion of cash.

Though the newly christened T-Birds would, as promised, make the playoffs in 1985-86, it would take longer than the new owners expected for a real breakthrough on the ice.

That would come in the 1989-90 season, when Seattle fashioned a 52-17-3 record (107 points), a jump of 19 wins and 37 points from one year earlier.

Seattle T-Birds Make A Break From Past

September 27, 1985 / Vol. 39, Issue 1 / written by Ben Kuzma

SEATTLE—It’s a scenario that’s been played out before in the Western Hockey League but never with such pomp and circumstance.

Rejuvenation of a franchise, whether in change of city, name or ownership is generally met with some pessimism. There are usually too many questions left unanswered, like who’s really in charge and just who’s paying the bills.

That’s not the case in Seattle.

The Seattle Breakers, officially renamed the Thunderbirds on Aug. 19, are setting the record straight in a hurry. And if enthusiasm is worth anything, the Thunderbirds are way out ahead in the Western Division hype department.

More than 100 people jammed into the press conference at the posh Westin Hotel to drink champagne and hear of Seattle’s plan for WHL respectability. It was the largest turnout ever for a hockey press conference in the Washington state city, where professional sport is king in eyes of fans and media alike.

The all-out effort involves new ownership by a Calgary-based group, headed by successful petroleum businessman Earl Hale. It means the return of well-respected Sheldon Ferguson to the league as general manager and peace of mind for coach Marc Boileau and director of player personnel Jake Goertzen.

It means new team colors (green, blue and white) instead of orange, blue and white and a facelift for the Seattle Center Arena. Hale heads a four-man group which purchased the franchise April 2 from the league.

WHL president Ed Chynoweth says, “It’s obvious from the people they’ve assembled here that they’re going first class—they didn’t spare any horses. I don’t see any problems because we know who’s paying the bills and that’s the big thing.

“Nobody went to bat more than me for this franchise. I couldn’t be happier. With a little excitement generated this could be a great market. They know what they have to do now and that’s get a contending hockey team. They’re talking about a three-year rebuilding job and I know Earl won’t leave any stones unturned.”

Hale, no newcomer to hockey, knows what’s needed to tum an also-ran into a winner. He has coached amateur teams in Calgary at various levels for eight years and last season also served as a director with the Tier II Calgary Canucks.

“What we have to do is develop players and work with them,” he said. “We look at it as a business. We look at franchises like Prince Albert and Portland and how successful they’ve been.”

Ferguson has his work cut out as general manager of a club which placed fifth in the six-team Western Division last season with a 25-44-3 record. But challenges are nothing new for Ferguson.

He spent the last six years scouting for the Quebec Nordiques and before that was a member of the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting Bureau for a year. Ferguson was with the defunct Billings franchise in the WHL and coached the Tier II Red Deer Rustlers for three seasons, winning one Centennial Cup championship.

“The number one thing is to provide a winner in Seattle—something which hasn’t been done in the past,” said Ferguson.

He’s right. Since the Kamloops Chiefs relocated to Seattle in the 1977-78 season, the club has never even been close to a division title. Its claim to fame is having center Ryan Walter drafted by the Washington Capitals second overall in the 1978 entry draft.

Boileau believes if he beefs up the wings, the Thunderbirds will fly high this season. But how high is high?

“I’m definitely predicting we’ll make the playoffs,” said Boileau, who enters his third season behind the Seattle bench armed with a one-year contract. “From there it’s wide open. If our wings fill out we’ll be okay.”

The big optimism in Seattle stems from the fact Ray Savard, Mario Desjardins, Scott Neely and Glen Goodall all return at center ice. They’ll be joined by Seattle-native Mickey Donner, who played last season at Wisconsin.

Larry Bernard, Kelly Para and Stuart Sage (acquired from Lethbridge) anchor the left side while Jim Bechtold and Brian McFarlane return to right wing. Jamie Huscroft and Lloyd Cox will be among the leaders on the blueline.

Veteran Larry Dyck has the inside track on the starting goaltending position. He’ll be challenged by newcomers Glen Seymour and Wade Flaherty.

Becoming competitive means getting out to see more prospects. That’s where Goertzen enters the picture with a smile on his face. More operating capital means a better scouting program.

“What I see now is what I hoped it would be like,” said Goertzen, who is in his sixth year with Seattle. “That’s why I stuck it out—I thought sooner or later somebody would see the potential here.

“It gives the hockey club credibility and I’m not going to be hanging around the office. They (owners) realize if we’ re going to get players we have to be our there looking at them. The last two months I’ve been on the road more than the last two years.”

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