When the NAHL, or any Tier II league expands, we believe its almost always good for the game of hockey. Almost bing the key word in that sentence.
The junior hockey world was definitely excited to be adding new franchises in the NAHL this season in Watertown and Forest Lake. Players were excited about new opportunities, and coaches were lining up for interviews.
When it was announced that AJ Bucchino would be operating the Minnesota Mallards program as the General Manager, a lot of people took note of an experienced and well liked person leading the way for the first year franchise.
Then, in one minute, the optimistic thinking was gone. Gone too was AJ Bucchino, and two assistant coaches from the organization. Not only are they gone, but any trace of them has been removed from the Minnesota Mallards website.
The organization has said nothing publicly and AJ Bucchino has refrained from commenting. But that doesnt mean people are not talking in Forest Lake.
Multiple community members have reached out to TJHN to report that there was a conflict between Mallards owner Charles Bailey Jr. and Bucchino concerning the makeup of the roster. That roster makeup, according to other sources has been a point of contention between some players and parents as well.
Head Coach Terry Watt was reported to be missing from the bench during warm ups the other night as well.
When you have this many problems with leadership, before you play the first regular season game, you have serious problems that need to be addressed.
Clearly, with the scrubbing of any press releases or reports concerning or contributed to by AJ Bucchino shows that these developments were taken personally by Ownership. The lack of any public statement by the organization shows just how much they need a professional in the leadership position.
With the Mallards first regular season game coming next weekend, there is a short period of time for the organization to gain some stability and resolve the issues that appear to be systemic for the first year program.
TJHN will udate this story as more information becomes available.
