The Superior International Junior Hockey League’s Wisconsin Wilderness struggled for wins in the 2013-2014 season. While the team did make progress on the ice, the same can not be said for team and arena owner Lars Geary.
Even with access to some of the best organizational talent available to keep the team, arena, and restaurant operational, Geary chose to do things his own way to the end.
This is not a roast Lars Geary story, this is a story about how people with good intentions fail to take advantage of the resources available to them that would allow them to succeed because they don’t want to admit they don’t have the right experience, and don’t want to give up control.
The best of intentions can lead down the road of ruin.
The Spooner Ice House and Wisconsin Wilderness were purchased by Lars Geary with the intention of keeping the arena open, and the team in the city. A local boy coming home to save the local team and arena. A very good story for all at the beginning.
It wasn’t long after that when Geary found tough going in the operation of the arena in the small northern Wisconsin town. Inexperience in arena operations, and later in team operations in management played a large part in the end.
Failing to hire experienced personnel to operate the arena, and the team were critical mistakes. Hiring a head coach one month before the SIJHL season was slated to start, not having tryouts or scouting leading up to the season were reasons for this Tier II team not being able to ice a full roster until January.
Yes, a free to play Tier II Junior A hockey team could not fill a roster. Unheard of in todays hockey climate.
In November a consultant came in to assist in reorganizing the team operations. A new coach was hired, and players began to arrive to fill the roster. While it took time, the Wilderness team got better on the ice and eventually put together a few wins against top SIJHL teams. The team itself was on its way to a turn around. Fans even began returning to the games.
At the same time, advice was provided on simple changes that would have allowed for the arena, health club and restaurant to obtain a higher level of profitability. That advice was ignored and the changes were not made.
Help was available for the operation, but the calls for help never came, only calls for cash infusions were made.
When the gas service to the building was shut off a few weeks ago, everyone knew the end was near. When asked to attend a meeting yesterday via text message, everyone knew what was coming.
Unfortunately the person who financed the arena sale was not made aware this was taking place until he received phone calls from outside sources. When contacted today the first word’s were “I just got a call on this a few minutes ago. Lars didn’t even let me know.”
There is nothing wrong with admitting you’re in over your head or that you just cant make a go of things. There is nothing wrong with asking for help, people will almost always help. But you just cant leave people with money and jobs on the line in the dark or without some information as to what the future may hold.
All may not be lost though. Two parties may be willing to take over both the team and arena should suitable terms be found with the person holding the financial note. If not, the building is slated to be repurposed and that will be the end of the Ice House in Spooner.
According to Canadian Junior Hockey League and Hockey Canada rules, all team names and locations have to be submitted by May 1st in order to receive permission to play in the 2014-2015 season.
Its a sad story now, but everyone is hopping for a happy ending.
Joseph Kolodziej – Publisher
