Managerial Power: The Rise and Struggles of a GM

Part I

Authors note: I followed Mr. Ezell for a week to see what happens when a player is moved up to General Manager status in the BHL. This will be a series of events that happened when I was allowed to shadow him. Everything here is uncensored and the names have not been changed.
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The stars shined high above St. Paul, Minnesota on this frigid winter’s night. The city was busy with eccentric night life. The Color of Purple brought in many at the Ordway Theater as Park Square Theater hosted Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The Bethel University Knights men's hockey team packed the Bethel University Arena to capacity, 10,000 strong, as St. John’s University came to town. The nightlife in St. Paul was buzzing, people were getting ready to go clubbing, sports and theater was underway, but in the middle of it all, there was only the sound of a pen tapping against a heavy, wooden desk.

The light from the city shown in through the large glass panels that encased him in his office and delicately mixed with the three lights that hung from his office ceiling. He sat there, head down, examining the roster that he built with months of trades and signings.

How can I make this better? What can I do to improve this team? These were the thoughts that plagued his mind day after day as he went through his daily routines. Suddenly a crackle of the intercom speaker broke his concentration.

“Mr. Ezell, I am heading out for the day, is there anything else you need from me?” The voice sweetly asked.

“No thank you Katelyn, have a good weekend.” He said, clearing his throat in the middle of the sentence.

“Ok, you too. Don’t stay here all night, go home.” She said as he brushed her comment off and clicked the intercom to the off position.

Go home? This was his home since he became the General Manager of the now Minnesota Warbirds. He can’t go home because home doesn’t allow him to make trades. Home doesn’t watch film. Home doesn’t scout upcoming players. This is his home now.

His dedication was set into question just months ago when he made a public announcement stating he wanted to be traded. The public, and most importantly the players, didn’t understand his desire to play elsewhere. He was their defensive leader, their big Basher, he was the face of Warbird hockey and yet, he wanted to leave.

‘Do they still question my dedication to this franchise?’ Constantly races in his mind as he speaks at press conferences, as he writes autographs, as he poses for pictures. Nothing can conquer these questions as he has laid his path in the snow already.

Shaking out the frustrations, he tosses his pen across the office. After putting his papers into his desk and shutting down his computer, he walked to the door. He had one thing on his mind:

GRATIFICATION.

The Calm Before The Storm

This past weekend Commissioner Randy Geralt dropped major news onto the BHL that left the league with feelings of resentment, fear and loathing. Geralt announced that every player in the BHL will be re-evaluated, and at the time left it as such. This brought anger from some GMs, fear from some players and even the threats of stopping operations for the season.

Currently, the league has subsided and cooler heads have prevailed. We here at The Birdz Nest were able to get an in-depth interview with CO-GM Greg Ezell to discuss the BHL, Dakota's possible name changes and the World Tournament to name a few.

Birdz Nest: Thanks for taking some time to sit down with me. I know your schedule is pretty hectic with the Warbirds and now the upcoming World Tournament. So let's start off by talking about Dakota. Last week you pulled off a trade that brought Chris Bell and Priscilla Williams in while sending four players to Toronto. Why did you do it?

Greg Ezell: I had to. We had holes in our right win position and had to shore them up. Acquiring Chris immediately makes us a better team because we have a scoring winger, something we didn't have last year. Priscilla comes with more questions because she's a rookie, but I have faith in her abilities. She's been busting her ass in drills and has looked great on the ice, minus the pink skates of course.

BN: There was some resentment with the trade because long time players like Kenu Lehtinen and Johan Eriksson were shipped to Toronto. Why did you move such players?

GE: My goal is to put together the best team possible. The team that made its Thunder Cup run in S4 has run its course. We can't allow ourselves to live in the past and think that everything is gong to be ok. I believe that's what we did last year. We were to busy thinking that S5 was going to be like the season before it. I'm here to build a new identity for the Dakota Warbirds. We are not defined by one player, we are defined by a team. This team can and will be special for a number of years to come.

Ezell during a recent radio interview on WDAK.

BN: Bell and Williams signed 3 season deals that will keep them in Dakota until the end of S8. Chaz Hooker on the other hand hasn't signed anything. Given the talent you sent to New England for him, would you see it as a failure if he doesn't sign long-term with you guys?

GE: Not if we win a Thunder Cup. I am focused on winning more than anything. I would love to have Chaz around long-term because he's an exceptional player with a great presence in and out of the locker room. I would love to hand him the 'A' and say 'Help lead this team', but I refuse to give it to a player who could be gone next year in Free Agency.

BN: Speaking of the vacant 'A', whose chest do you see it landing on next year?

GE: I'm not sure. Once Kristian gets back from his business venture, we're going to sit down with Robi (Albert) and discuss it further.

BN: What is your take on the current status of the league?

GE: It's fine. I'll admit that I was as angry as anyone, but after sitting down with Commissioner Geralt and evaluating the team, I don't get what the problem was. People suspending operations, people resigning, just seemed strange to me. The league is fine however.

BN: The World Tournament is coming up, your thoughts on it?

GE: As a player I love it, but as a GM, I hate it.

BN: If invited to play for Team USA, will you?

GE: I'm on the fence really. I would love to represent the red, white and blue but I feel there may be someone more deserving out there. I have a great job running the Warbirds and I'm not sure if I can fully do that if I'm playing for Team USA. If I am invited to play for the team, I'd have to make my decision then.

BN: Any more moves for the Minnesota Warbirds?

GE: I think at this time...wait, what the hell did you just say?

BN: Oh, I was just calling you guys by your new rumored name, the Minnesota Warbirds. Is there truth to this rumor?

GE: Our team is called the Dakota Warbirds. I don't know who started this Minnesota rumor, but that's just what it is; a rumor.

BN: What about the pilots getting lost...and...

GE: Fuck those pilots. Who the hell gets lost looking for St. Paul Minnesota? I have a better idea, get out of the pilot's bar and call us. Vivian would be more than happy to give them the right address to our airport.

BN: Anyways, any more moves for the 'Birds?

GE: I don't think so. I love this roster. We may add a free agent, but I don't see that happening. For the record, Dylan Withers is remaining in Minn...er I mean Dakota.

BN: Speaking of Dylan, do you hate him? It seems he's been traded twice, then has come back due to technicality.

GE: You're really starting to piss me off...

BN: Well it's just a question.

GE: Vivan, call security. Have this man escorted out of the building, I'm finished speaking with him.

And I sit here on this rock outside of Dakota's offices, I have to say that was an interesting interview to say the least...

Ezell Holds Press Conference

St. Paul, Minnesota-

Dakota Warbirds Co-GM Greg Ezell met with the press today to make an announcement about his status with the club.

"I called this press conference to announce that I am taking the 'A' off of my jersey. Now that I have a position with management, I feel there are other players who are worthy of wearing the 'A' and can help this team in the future."

Ezell was voted as an alternate captain last season, as well as Matt Mahoney, by the Warbirds players.

"I am not sure how we are going to go about picking the new A. There will be one before the season, I can tell you that. I expect Miika Kemppinen to remain our captain and Matt Mahoney to remain as an alternate captain. They have handled these duties well and exlempify what it means to be Warbirds."

When asked about potential candidates for the A, Ezell stated:

"I'm not sure yet. There are a few people I have in mind. Patrick Ng, Scott Edmunds come to mind to name a few, but there are players out there that I feel are worthy to represent Dakota. I want to give someone else in this franchise a larger role and I feel there are many who deserve it."

Ezell was then asked about the trade rumors with Vancouver and New England.

"I have no comment. Happy New Year."