On Wednesday March 13th, I wrote an opinion piece on the Rochester Ice Hawks in the MNJHL based upon statements made to the local press by Head Coach Nick Fatis. In that piece I also made statements based upon personal observations and information obtained from sources involved in certain incidents. Rochester Ice Hawks Classless In Season Ending Loss
On Saturday, I had a very pleasant and informative conversation with Head Coach Nick Fatis based upon his feelings on the article. Needless to say, it didnt start out well, but it did end very well and I appreciated his call.
Nick wanted to inform me on the process that the team has in place to address substance use by players. I wont go into detail as it would expose several players for their use of substances, but I will say it is a top notch and very detailed program. Testing and counseling are required, at the players expense, and the player is not allowed back on the ice until all facets of the program are completed.
Nick was very detailed in his description, and although I am no expert, I would say the Ice Hawks have safety measures in place for substance issues that are probably better than many minor pro teams I have worked with.
At no time did Nick deny that issues have come up with players, but did say that he and his staff do the best they can to keep those issues from coming up. A room check and automated phone in curfew system is in place, but players can almost always figure out a way to beat a system.
While I appreciated Nick’s information, my opinion on his public statments remains the same. I thought and still think they were uncalled for.
Nick however says they were meant to be constructive to the players. He says he would not have changed a thing about how they played the Ducks and who was in goal for them.
I believed Nick when I was talking to him, and it is possible that all of his comments were not expressed in the local press. That said, there are better ways to describe a season ending series. Like I learned of the substance use policies of the Ice Hawks and commend them for those, perhaps they have learned that context of what you say is just as important as how you say it.
We are all entitled to our opinions. I have mine, Nick has his. Although we may disagree on the substance in which those opinions are formed, I would think that our conversation ended in each of us respecting the others opinion regardless of whether we agreed with it.
Regardless of the opinions, the Ice Hawks will be back next year, more motivated than ever to deliver a championship level team to the city of Rochester. I certainly wouldnt mind watching them next year and writing another opinion piece expressing the professional manner that I may observe the players acting in.
On to next year……
