Perks of a Scribbler

• MAY / JUNE 2011
• FEB / MAR 2011
• DECEMBER 2010
• OCT / NOV 2010
• AUG / SEP 2010
• MAY / JUNE 2010

One of the perks of being a career scribbler is meeting people who are in the public eye. You have the privilege of asking them questions. Not for yourself but for the great unwashed out there who rarely if ever get to ask any questions of anyone who has money and clout. I watched as the sports scribblers swamped Mark Chipman who with his partner David Thomson now own a National Hockey League franchise in Winnipeg where it belongs. Like all franchises it’s what you make of it, as there are no guarantees. Fans have reacted, buying all the season tickets in a matter of minutes.

Six years ago Mark was on our cover for taking a remarkable risk in building a hockey arena and entertainment centre downtown. Then he bought an American League hockey team to gain a credible record in managing a professional hockey franchise. The Moose offer hockey fanatics high caliber skilled tasteful hockey.

They were an opening act. A warm up for a larger ambition. Once you’ve seen the NHL up close, it’s hard to accept less. Mark Chipman was not up for less.

In building the rink and buying AHL team Mark must have believed in something I didn’t which is usual with entrepreneurs. He had a plan. He worked on it for years. As my hockey friends said, ‘What do you think the IcePlex is all about and the NHL standard MTS Centre?’

I didn’t buy it. I am a fatalist at heart. The NHL returning to Winnipeg just wouldn’t be feasible.

Last fall I bumped into Mark as he exited the gym at the MTS IcePlex. I never asked him about hockey. I complimented that the Plex was excellent and so many teams were using it. We talked about The Blue Bombers football club, as they were the sports drama at the time.

Maybe I should have asked him about the NHL. But he wouldn’t have told me.

Now he and all his people have done what I thought was impossible. Brought an NHL franchise to my beloved hometown. He has made hockey in Winnipeg the big brand again. He is to be congratulated along with all of the people who - over 15 years - made the unbelievable happen in weeks.

Now all the scribblers want to talk to him. Mark’s a relaxed regular guy comfortable in his own skin and knows his stuff. He’s not a candidate for celebrity status but he has matched what Jets owner (1979 - 1996) Ben Haskin did years ago against all odds. Like most entrepreneurs he looks after business first and the razzle dazzle stuff later. He has done that with uncommon success in gaining a world famous hockey franchise. We wish him well in pursuit of The Stanley Cup.

Ritchie Gage, Editor-in-chief

Feedback: ritchie.gage@shaw.ca