On Saturday afternoon Steve Donner took some time to sit down with a group fans in the middle of August in the Amerks locker room to discuss the past and future of the team.  It was a great opportunity for everyone, how often does an owner/president/whatever his role is now sit down with fans to discuss hockey.  The discussion was enlightening and brought back a sense of optimism after the worst season in Amerks’ history.

All topics were touched on from the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, the affiliation, new ownership, money, veterans, leadership, coaches, pride, tradition, politics, advertising, marketing, concessions, jerseys, radio, and even the television broadcasts.  I’ll break things down into categories and still hope all of this information is not all over the place.

Affiliation

The discussion of who wanted to be a sole affiliate and who wanted the dual has gone back and forth for some time.  The Buffalo Sabres were right in saying they wanted to be the sole affiliate with the Amerks and even wanted a long term agreement, the catch was that they could then bring in a sub affiliate that they controlled.  So, technically they would have been the sole affiliate.  More on that very soon.

That is how it worked out the first year with the Sabres, Panthers, and Amerks.  The Sabres entered into an agreement with the Panthers to also supply Rochester with players.  The Buffalo Sabres said they would be supplying 12 players, once a player was injured or even called up they would not be replacing them.

The second year came around and Panthers were again willing to be a dual affiliate but only if it was controlled by the Amerks, not the Sabres.  The Florida Panthers also stated that they wanted to start playing a bigger role, but admitted to taking a couple more years to getting prospects to where they wanted them.  The Florida Panthers also stated that they were interested in becoming the sole affiliate in two years, which is where we are today.

That same season Steve Donner had said to Larry Quinn that he wanted to get the Sabres back into becoming the sole affiliate of the Amerks.  It was something that had lasted for such a long time that it seemed to be the best for both teams.  Larry Quinn stated that they would be willing, but the agreement would also allow the Sabres to bring in a “sub affiliate,” contradictory to being a “sole” affiliate.  The agreement from the Sabres also would have provided no guarantee to providing “veteran leadership.”  They provided proof of other affiliation agreements (Columbus/Syracuse, Boston/Providence, Washington/Hershey) in which there are no guarantees of paid veterans.  The difference is that those teams are committed to providing a winning environment and understand the need for leadership.

That was probably the ultimate downfall of the 07/08 season, a lack of peer leadership in the locker room.

The Rochester Americans had two choices for an NHL affiliate for the 08/09 season, the Florida Panthers or the Buffalo Sabres.  For obvious reasons many fans think/wanted the Sabres around, but the Panthers were the better option in regards to restoring a winning atmosphere.

Over the past couple of seasons the Amerks had become more about the Sabres than the Amerks.  The Western New York area has become regionalized in just about every way, especially in regards to the Buffalo Sabres.  The Sabres were more concerned about developing there prospects and marketing the Sabres instead of providing a winning environment that would then help prospects develop faster and then improve the marketing capabilities.

Long story short, the Florida Panthers know the pressure is on them and they are committed to success.  The Panthers aren’t a NHL team that anyone is expecting to win a Stanley Cup anytime soon, but it’s also a team that needs to improve to make sure it is stable in the years to come.  It all starts at the development level rather than dumping cash on free agents.  The Panthers are also going to be willing to make mid season adjustments if needed to improve the Amerks.

The affiliation agreement does have items written into it that would allow the Amerks to break the affiliation, details weren’t given but it comes down to winning.  If that doesn’t happen, the Amerks will have the right to look elsewhere (even though the pickings are slim for affiliations).

Nothing can be as bad as last year, can it?

Ownership

Very few people really believed that the magical investor existed for much of the season, but he really did.  Curt Styres was committed to buying the team In September 2007, and willing to get everything settled quickly.  As we all know, it didn’t work out that way.  Many of the other partners involved dragged there feet to prevent it from happening, even went as far as filing the lawsuit hoping to have the courts take control of the team.

Through everything, the Sabres continued to more or less try and steal the Amerks.  They did so by putting the City of Rochester against Steve Donner, at one point the City had said that the Buffalo Sabres were the most important part about the Amerks (which is ridiculous…where is the Amerk pride Duffy?).

Donner did say that had the Sabres put a pile of cash in front of him before all of this started to happen in late 2007, he probably would have seriously considered the offer.  It turns out that it is great it never happened.  From a business stand point, all the Sabres cared about was using the Amerks to keep players before they were called up as needed, sharing the team with someone else, and to market the Sabres to Rochester.  Nothing included creating a winning atmosphere.

In the end it’s a great thing things have worked out the way that they did for one big reason, Curt Styres and his partners are willing to spend money to improve business, Tom Golisano as we all know does not spend money.

Marketing/Advertising/Promotions

Continuing on the topic of spending money, we should all expect bigger game night promotions and general marketing of the team.  In the coming weeks a billboard campaign will start in advertising the Rochester Americans.  The amount of money that has been spent on the billboard campaign alone is two thirds of last years total advertising budget.

The budget has been increased for the Amerks.com web site to be improved and provide more content.  You guys looking for any extra help?  Will work for beer on game nights!

The amount of money being spent on opening night promotions is along the lines of what an NHL team would spend.  Exact details weren’t disclosed, but hopefully it’ll all be enough to lure fans in from that other teams opening night down the thruway.

They are also expected to spend more money every home game in providing better promotional giveaways.  Anything is better than the UPS Delivery of the game.

Veterans and Leadership

The veteran aspect really comes down to money.  Player salaries aren’t cheap, and even with money being thrown around players still have no interest of being in the AHL.  They’d rather go overseas to make more money and play in a more prominent league.

Last seasons mess may not have been completely avoidable, but if there had a real leader in the locker room then chances are we wouldn’t have seen such horrible post game interviews in which players seemed to laugh off getting destroyed on the ice.  The coaches could only do so much, without peer leadership it was a downward spiral.

Now, some will say that the Sabres reportedly gave the Amerks a break on money that was owed.  The financial situation was tight last year.  There wasn’t any extra money.  That is the bottom line.

Moving forward, the Florida Panthers are looking to provide a “mature” team.  As stated above, getting quality players to committ to wanting to play in the AHL isn’t an easy thing to do.  The Florida Panthers understand that peer leadership is needed on the ice and is feeling the pressure to make sure they provide that.

A real weak point of last years team was goaltending.  We were all hoping for a “veteran” goaltender to be signed to lead the team, but disappointed when that goalie was Chris Beckford-Tseu.  A type of player that we had hoped for would have cost too much.  It’s hoped that Beckford-Tseu will be the diamond in the rough that no one had expected.  He is considered to have been the #1 depth goalie that was available at the AHL level.  Many scouts believe he could be a starting goalie in the coming years in the NHL.  He was also being pursued by seven other teams, and he was signed to play here.

The idea of the Amerks signing there own players is not something that is out of the question.  At this time though we all need to trust and respect that Florida is committed to Rochester and restoring pride and winning.

Coaches

When asked about who the new head coach will be, the only thing we know is that it will not be anyone that has ever been associated with the Rochester Americans.  When the coach is announced it was said that a lot of fans will cock there head and say, “who?”  The fact that whoever this coach was enticed enough to leave his current position says something positive for the on ice product that will be available for him to coach.

There has always been a tradition of the Rochester Americans in having a head coach that was at some point part of the organization, a way to continue with the pride of the team.  Because the new coach won’t be filling that role, it was requested that the assistant fit that role.  Which is where we may see Jason Cipolla return behind the bench.

Many people seemed to dislike Cipolla, but having watched many practices last season he seemed like a coach that was always pushing the players and working with them.  He was also one of the last people off the ice each time.

Just as we can expect changes to the player roster mid season, the same can be said about the coaching staff if it starts to fail.

We should expect a new head coach to be announced this week.

Jerseys

There may be a third blue jersey this season, but also expect the same jerseys from last year.  Heading into the 2009/2010 season we should expect new jerseys that bring back the piping around the bottom of the jerseys.  The Amerks had been told last season that they couldn’t be done, which turned out to be false as other teams had jerseys designed that way.

Don’t expect any type of Florida Panthers logo to be a part of the jersey either.  It was brought up in discussions, but never seriously considered.  A Panthers logo may appear on helmets or possibly elsewhere on equipment, but not on the jerseys.  This team is the Rochester Americans, not the young Florida Panthers or the young Sabres as they had become better known as in recent years.

Arena Improvements

A new sound system is planned for the arena, as well as a new marquee.  The front offices are also being completely renovated.  Some people might wonder why the front offices matter, it just shows they’re trying to create a more “big league” atmosphere rather than a bunch of cubicles.

TV & Radio

Time Warner cable has created better links between Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton, and Albany so there’s good hope that we may see more live road games on TV this season.

We discussed a possible pre or post game show on the radio.  It’s not very likely any type of pre game show would air due to having to purchase radio time and work around existing programming.  If you’ve ever listened to the post game show you know how painful it can be.  Last season it was always about the Sabres, and with the Sabres now out of town it’ll probably be comparing what “could have been.”  If you’re reading this Craig Schaller, make the post game show about Amerks hockey only!

One idea that was floated around is a possible live post game call in show on TV.  It’d require building a small studio inside of the arena, and hope that there would be fan interest.  That seemed to be more like a dream than anything else.  It’d be great to be able to hang out after games in the lobby above the escalators talking hockey, interviews, highlights, etc.

Having more road games live on TV is going to be a great start more than anything.

Improved Schedule/Divisions

Half way through any season you’ll often hear people saying, “we’re playing [insert team name] AGAIN?”  The curent AHL schedule format leaves a lot to be desired.  The divisions don’t seem to make much sense, and the same teams play the same teams over and over again.

Nothing is going to change in the immediate future due to the number of New England teams being larger in number to not want to change anything.  What will need to happen for any change is the AHL expanding further into the west.  There is a movement by western NHL teams wanting teams closer to them.  Change may be on the horizon within the next two years.

The Role of Steve Donner

Of all current employee’s of the Buffalo Sabres and Rochester Americans, Steve Donner has been around the longest.  He believes in the pride and tradition of the Rochester Americans.  Some people may think he hasn’t made the best business decisions at times, but one thing is for certain, he cares about the Amerks team, he loves hockey, and he knows what’s needed to restore the pride and tradition.

Only time will tell what his role is going to be.

Winning and Entertaining

That is all that needs to happen, the team needs to win.  When any team of any sport is winning people become interested.  The die hard fans will always be around, like last season, but winning will fill the rest of those empty seats.  Once the team is successful on the ice again, all of this will be tucked away in the history books and we will have all moved on.

Not only does a team need to win, it also needs to be entertaining.  No one wants to see a boring team win games with low scoring and no action.  All parties involved understand this pressure.

Thanks for making it through all of this, please leave comments, disagreements, or questions you may have about anything!  I believe I covered everything, but there may be holes in the stories that need to be filled in, but after proof reading this a few times it all makes sense to me.

Thanks again to Steve Donner for sitting down with a bunch of fans in the middle of summer.  How often does management of a hockey team do that with fans?

The NY Times ran an article today about the new owner of the Rochester Americans and Rochester Knighthawks titled “Blazing a Trail From a Reservation Into Ownership.”  It’s a lot of information that’s already been covered by local media, but is a nice time line all in one article about how he’s grown his businesses and made his money.

Here’s the full article:

Blazing a Trail From a Reservation Into Ownership

OHSWEKEN, Ontario — On a sunny afternoon two weeks ago, Curt Styres sat in the grandstand here at Ohsweken Speedway talking above the roar of a tractor grooming the dirt track. He recalled a night this May when he had been driving the tractor, as he usually does before stock car races.

And how afterward he put on a suit and boarded a flight for Chicago, where he was to be approved as the newest American Hockey League owner. At the meeting, representatives from the minor league’s other 28 franchises questioned Styres, the 48-year-old prospective owner of the Rochester Americans. They wanted to know about his finances, what he did for a living and where he came from. The answers to those questions inevitably lead here to Ohsweken, a small, rural town on the 45,000-acre Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve, located about an hour southwest of Toronto.

Styres, a Mohawk, has lived on the reserve his entire life. He built his businesses here. They include the raceway and a partnership in a tobacco company that employs 200 people at its plant in Ohsweken, and more at a second plant near Berlin.

In May, Styres paid $5.5 million to buy a 60 percent controlling share of the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League, and an undisclosed price for the Americans. He says he thinks he is the first individual American Indian — known in Canada as First Nations people — to own a major professional sports franchise. The Mohegan Tribe owns the Connecticut Sun of the W.N.B.A.

“He’s one of the truly successful First Nations entrepreneurs in Canada,” said Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, an aboriginal advocacy organization representing 630 communities. “It’s made it possible for him to give back to his community in a very significant way.”

Even as his business empire expands to the United States and Europe, the reserve remains as central to his sense of self as his Mohawk heritage.

“I just look at me as a working man from the bush,” said Styres, his gray-streaked pony tail dancing in the wind.

Growing up, he shared a 12-foot by 20-foot former Army barracks that lacked indoor plumbing with his widowed mother and four siblings. His world was not much bigger.

He ventured outside the reserve for youth hockey and lacrosse games, and to find work on nearby farms. He later traveled as an ironworker. What he saw shaped his desire to improve conditions on the reserve.

In 1991, he co-founded Grand River Enterprises, a tobacco operation. Its success led to the Dreamcatcher Fund, which helps First Nations people across Canada pay for education and athletics.

In 2002, Styres bought a stake in the Six Nations Arrows Express, a junior lacrosse team. He built the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, a 2,600-seat facility in Ohsweken, then hired trainers, nutritionists and tutors for the teenage players.

Two years later, four players from the team were enrolled in college. By 2008, 15 players were enrolled, including Sid Smith, a defenseman for N.C.A.A. champion Syracuse.

“Natives can use lacrosse as a steppingstone to better their future,” Styres said. “Once you get an education, you come back and show the people here you can do it.”

Styres studied manufacturing machines at Mohawk College, a trade school in nearby Hamilton. But he learned some of his most enduring lessons in the tobacco fields in southern Ontario. Each summer as a child, he planted and harvested alongside his mother.

“They saw me working hard all my life,” Vera Styres, 73, said about her five children.

After they were grown, she earned university degrees in Native studies and social work, and became a social worker and teacher. A proud woman, she was moved to tears by memories of more difficult times.

Last month, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper formally apologized in the House of Commons for a former residential school system that forced indigenous children from their homes and placed them in institutions where many were subjected to physical and emotional abuse. Vera Styres, who as a girl was sent to the Mohawk Institute, attributed the apology to newfound economic and political clout among American Indians.

As Styres and her children have prospered, so has their reserve. The population has increased to 11,297 in 2005 from 4,907 in 1972, making it the largest First Nations community in Canada. Curt Styres lives in a colossal 21,000-square-foot stone house with a movie theater and a fitness center.

Still, basic amenities like public water and sewers are not widely available. And non-native businesses have not been attracted to the area even though the reserve is thriving.

Styres believes he is duty-bound to change these things for his people and for his nine children. “When my grandkids grow up, they’re going to say, ‘Your excuse was what again?’ ”

The Knighthawks are a more immediate concern. Rochester is the smallest market in the lacrosse league. Styres acknowledged that turning a profit would be a challenge. The former controlling owner, Steve Donner, encountered financial problems and fell out of favor with Rochester city officials.

Styres said he bought the Knighthawks and the Americans, the top farm team for the N.H.L.’s Florida Panthers, because of his love of sport. Photographs of him playing hockey and lacrosse on local teams hang in his office and at the arena.

Fans in Rochester feared the teams would be relocated when Styres appeared. Little was known about him or Grand River Enterprises.

“When word got out that Curt was looking into a team, there was always speculation and perception and innuendos,” said Jim Jennings, commissioner of the National Lacrosse League. “We looked into all those aspects and everything was unfounded.”

Styres would not discuss finances except to say Grand River Enterprises made seven billion cigarettes in 2007. Although Styres did not disclose the company’s income, cartons of its cigarette brands typically sell for $12 to $17 apiece, meaning sales probably totaled hundreds of millions of dollars. Grand River filed a lawsuit against the United States in 2005, claiming the government violated the terms of Nafta in its dealings with the company, which is seeking $310 million to $646 million in damages. The matter is in arbitration.

Regarding questions about his business, Styres said: “I don’t care what anybody else thinks. I do what I think is best for our people. How can I help them?”

Styres has taken a similar hands-on approach to improving the Knighthawks. Last week he made a trade with the Edmonton Rush for Troy Bonterre, a bruising 6-foot-3, 260-pound defenseman.

He said he expected the Americans to play a hard-nosed style, too. He has talked to Jacques Martin, Florida’s general manager, about adding enforcers to the roster. The approach is based on his experience in running a racetrack.

When Styres and his brother Glenn opened the speedway, they struggled to fill the stands. To lure spectators, they guaranteed at least one rollover on race nights. If there is not one, his brother, a champion driver, rolls his own car.

The recognition that there can be entertainment value in carnage will extend to the Knighthawks and the Americans. Asked what fans can expect next year, Styres said, “Let’s just say there will be a lot of rollovers.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/sports/othersports/16lacrosse.html?ref=business

The wishlist for Rochester Americans fans for the upcoming season includes some veteran forwards, defenseman, goaltending, and a player to bring some toughness to the team.  The free agency market begins today and with indications from the Florida Panthers camp that they will be supplying all players for the Amerks this upcoming season, all eyes are on them throughout the rest of the summer to see who they’ll sign.

The Panthers did extend contract offers to restricted free agents Stefan Meyer, Drew Larman, Anthony Stewart, and Martin Lojek.  Even though Lojek has signed to play overseas in the upcoming season, the Panthers extended him an offer in order to retain his rights should he decide to come back.

In order for the Amerks to be successul in the upcoming season it is that simple in terms of bringing in some experience.  It could be debated that had the Amerks had some veteran leadership on the team last season it may have helped the young prospects get through a terrible season.

We need a goaltender to work with Tyler Plante and give the defense some confidence that when they screw up someone will be behind them to help out.

We need an enforcer that knows his role.  Too often last year players were either afraid to be physical, or felt they needed to try and score (which they failed at as well).  Tanner Glass and Stefan Meyer showed they could throw punches when needed, but I don’t think either wants to be known as an “enforcer.”

The biggest key to the puzzle is getting some experience on offense and defense to be the face of the team and lead the team.  A player to help keep the team together if (or when) they start to blow a lead in the second period.  A player to help the team stay confident heading into the third period down by a goal or two and still believe a win is possible.

Once all that is taken care of, the team will need a coaching staff.  Just like shopping for players during free agency, an experienced coaching staff is hopeful.

Lets hope the Panthers are active quickly!

The Rochester Americans used to be the only team in the American Hockey League to produce talent for two NHL franchises: The Buffalo Sabres and the Florida Panthers.

However, that changed last season. The Buffalo Sabres gave up their affiliation with Rochester and the “Amerks” are now connected solely with the Panthers.

Why?

Amerks owner, Steve Donner, who has fallen behind in payments to the franchise for player and arena use still wants to regain control, despite mismanagement of team finances.

Donner cut corners by refusing to sign players he would have to pay for exclusively and that put a damper on player development.

It was also reported that Rochester wanted to get out of the dual-affiliation agreement after the first year, but Donner refused, since the agreements in place saved him money.

Also, Rochester billionaire and native, Tom Golisano, wanted to buy the team, but Donner refused to sell to him.

The Sabres' decision not to put money into fielding a highly competitive team since the end of the lockout was also a major factor.

The Rochester market demands a very competitive team and the Sabres were not provided that over the past three seasons.

Moving forward, there are doubts they will provide more, as they have hinted that they will bring in prospects from other organizations. Among those other franchises are Dallas, whom they hope to draw from to fill out their AHL roster, as opposed to signing veterans.

Some say it just doesn’t make sense for Buffalo to lose their affiliation with a team only 50 miles away.

It was an easy transfer for an Amerk to head to Buffalo in a short car ride and now a three hour flight to Florida seems almost insane.

Buffalo now looks for their talent in Portland, Maine with the AHL Pirates.

Britney Milazzo is a Contributor for Bleacher Report. 

At one of the last regular season games between the Rochester Americans and Syracuse Crunch, nine out of ten players on the ice got into a fight.

The Amerks were pushed around the entire season by the Crunch; it was sad that it took all season for something like this to happen. I managed to record this video from our seats as the events unfolded.

It was disappointing that Anthony Stewart wasn’t willing to quickly drop his gloves with Mirasty. Mirasty isn’t a small dude, but neither is Stewart. Stewart's excuse was that the linesman had already grabbed him and pushed him toward the penalty box. Yet Mirasty managed to skate away and continue fighting.

Mirasty got away and was the third man in on a scuffle between Lojek and not sure who else; at that point Tyler Plante took a stroll out and pulled him off. He later said he had no idea he was pulling Mirasty off and second guessed himself at that point (I would too)!

Mike Funk and Derick Brassard were doing some dancing around and they both fell to the ice in front of the Amerks bench where Funk decided to start laying some punches on the guy. Who knew Funk could punch like that!

At that tail end of the video is an unfortunate event where some very nice and polite Crunch fans were more or less attacked by some rude Rochester residents (not even worthy of being called Amerks fans).

In total, there were 10 game misconducts and 161 total penalty minutes handed out. Here’s the list:

• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Brassard, Fighting, 5 min
• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Brassard, Game misconduct -Secondary altercation (47.6), 10 min
• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Brule, Unsportsmanlike conduct, 2 min
• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Brule, Fighting, 5 min
• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Brule, Game misconduct- Secondary altercation (47.6), 10 min
• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Goehring, Leaving the crease, 2 min
• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Mirasty, Fighting, 5 min
• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Mirasty, Misconduct, 10 min
• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Mirasty, Game misconduct - Secondary altercation (47.6), 10 min
• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Mirasty, Game misconduct - Third man in (47.15), 10 min
• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Motherwell, Fighting , 5 min
• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Motherwell, Game misconduct - Secondary altercation (47.6), 10 min
• Third Period, 16:58—SYR Westcott, Fighting , 5 min
• Third Period, 16:58—RCH Funk, Fighting, 5 min
• Third Period, 16:58—RCH Funk, Game misconduct - Secondary altercation (47.6), 10 min
• Third Period, 16:58—RCH Glass, Fighting , 5 min
• Third Period, 16:58—RCH Larman, Fighting , 5 min
• Third Period, 16:58—RCH Larman, Game misconduct - Secondary altercation (47.6), 10 min
• Third Period, 16:58—RCH Lojek, Fighting , 5 min
• Third Period, 16:58—RCH Lojek, Game misconduct - Secondary altercation (47.6), 10 min
• Third Period, 16:58—RCH Plante, Leaving the crease, 2 min
• Third Period, 16:58—RCH Plante, Fighting , 5 min (PP)
• Third Period, 16:58—RCH Plante, Game misconduct - Secondary altercation (47.6), 10 min
• Third Period, 16:58—RCH Stewart, Fighting , 5 min
• Third Period, 16:58—RCH Stewart, Game misconduct - Secondary altercation (47.6), 10 min

It was reported in the Democrat and Chronicle today that Randall Latona and Walter Turek have committed to stabilizing the Amerks' financial issues. They have put money into the organization to help with paying NHL franchise fee’s.

They also said that talks are ongoing with an investor coming in and buying a majority stake of the franchise, that seems to be the desired outcome by all.

“I can assure you, Randy’s commitment, with Walter as his partner, will not let this franchise fail,” she said. “They have committed funding in order to make this team successful.”

The one concern that should be raised is the following:

April 7, 2006 Randall Latona and Walter Turek formed an entity called T&L Funding Group, LLC which furnished a $2.1 million dollar financing package to the Rochester Americans. Of that loan approximately $700,000 went towards additional working capital, the rest to acquire existing debt.

That was 2 years ago, are we just going to end up back in the same situation in another 2 years if the same ownership group is involved? If $2.1 million dollars didn’t fix things then, what’s different about now? We’ll wait and see.

Here’s the Full article:

Owners say they’ll get Amerks stabilized

Kevin Oklobzija
Staff writer

While financial peril has left the Rhinos soccer team teetering on the brink of extinction, the Rochester Americans’ ownership group promises to restore stability to the troubled hockey franchise.

Randall Latona and Walter Turek provided an infusion of operating capital this week, past-due affiliation fees will be paid next week, and a plan is in place to ensure the team’s long-term survival.

So says Lisa Latona, Randall Latona’s wife and business partner.

“I can assure you, Randy’s commitment, with Walter as his partner, will not let this franchise fail,” she said. “They have committed funding in order to make this team successful.”

The additional funding comes while the ownership group continues to work toward a majority sale to a new investor.

Latona and Turek are working on an exit strategy from their positions as major owners in the Amerks, as well as the Knighthawks lacrosse franchise.

“There is a tremendous amount of momentum toward that,” said their other partner, Steve Donner, who will remain a minority owner if the sale takes place.

Turek and Donner, both Rochesterians, each own 40 percent of the teams. Latona, a resident of Andover, Mass., owns 20 percent.

Negotiations on the buyout of Latona, and in turn Turek, are nearing a conclusion, Latona and Donner said. That buyout is contingent upon a new investor taking majority control, since his money will go to Latona and Turek.

If the new investor does assume majority control, Latona and Turek would still retain small and equal ownership shares “for at least a small period of time,” Lisa Latona said.

But she said that even if the sale to the unnamed investor falls through, the current ownership group will remain together and renew its commitment to the hockey and lacrosse teams.

“The buyout should happen quickly,” Lisa Latona said. “Randy and Walter are both looking for a resolution.

“But whether or not the new buyer comes in, Randy’s and Walter’s commitment as partners won’t change. Either they’re exiting or they’re staying and committing substantial funding.”

Latona had been somewhat of an estranged partner for much of the past year.

A failure to pay numerous bills on time, including league dues and affiliation fees, prompted Latona to file suit last spring in state Supreme Court to have Donner removed from power.

But last month he and Donner made a conscious effort to repair their relationship. Along with Turek, the trio seems to again be working in concert for the betterment of the Amerks.

Donner said negotiations to bring the new investor on board “have been really refreshing for the three of us. There has been exciting and significant progress.”

The future of the franchise doesn’t hinge on the sale, however.

“Our focus is on the sale, but we (the current ownership group) would be prepared to move forward shoulder to shoulder if necessary,” Donner said.

The money this week was for general operating expenses. All three partners will provide funding next week “to take care of some or most of the outstanding issues,” Lisa Latona said.

Foremost on that list are past-due affiliation fees to the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers. Jacques Martin, general manager and coach of the Panthers, on Wednesday expressed concern about another late payment.

Martin said the Amerks must resolve their money crisis soon, or the Panthers will place their prospects elsewhere next season. Since the Sabres have announced plans to leave Rochester after this season, Florida would be the sole parent team for the 2008-09 American Hockey League season.

Donner said once the sale is complete, the affiliation can be finalized.

KEVINO@DemocratandChronicle.com

(LGA) The Florida Panthers have come forward stating that the Amerks need to get there financial issues fixed soon, or they won’t be back next season.

The Buffalo Sabres have said they won’t be back as an affiliate next season without new ownership.

Steve Donner plans to sell a majority share of the franchise to a new investor, that sale can’t take place until Donner and partner Walter Turek can finally buy out minority owner Randall Latona.

Those negotiations, ongoing for months, continue to go well, Donner said.

“All the numbers are in order. We’ve come a long way,” Donner said.

The fans and the players want answers.  I can’t imagine current Florida Panther prospects were happy to read that the Panthers are ready to keep most players in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades, and spread the rest out across teams in the AHL.

Rochester is behind on affiliation payments to both Buffalo and Florida, with the team agreeing to pay each franchise $18,000 a season for each player on loan—about half the going rate.

The Panthers say they have worked out a payment plan with Rochester, with alternate governor Bill Torrey working out a deal last month. According to Martin, the Panthers received a payment from Rochester on Feb. 1, but still haven’t received a payment that was scheduled for Feb. 29.

”I would think everything is going to be resolved,” Martin said. “I don’t understand it. You look at their attendance, and it’s been good. They have other teams that may be hurting them, and they owe money to people.”

So the big question hangs overhead, where is all the money going to that the Amerks bring in from ticket sales to cause payments to be behind?

Amerks president Steve Donner said he understood the Panthers’ fears. He said the NHL team had been kept updated on a plan that would provide stable financial footing.

“They’re making sure I can get my deal done,” Donner said.

“They have expressed a concern that things have dragged on. They obviously have been more than patient.”

Fans have been more than patient as well, but I can’t imagine will be for much longer.  Long time fans have become divided on which side to choose.  It’s like a divorce where kids have to choose between mom and dad.

With this battle it’s a choice between people who support Steve Donner and those who want him out of here.

Donner keeps on telling us that “things will be fixed soon,” something he also told Rhino’s fans and look how that situation has turned out.

”I think we’re going to know something within a month,” Panthers coach and general manager Jacques Martin said. “This month is crucial for both of us, to see where we’re going to be.”

I imagine Jacques Martin was told that by Steve Donner.  Donner also expected a buyout to be completed by the end of February with Latona.

So, we know a few things for sure at this point:

— Steve Donner and Randall Latona have reportedly solved there feud.  The two of them have also been negotiating with an investor to buyout Latona’s shares of the team.

— The Panthers and Sabres have said they will not be back without new majority ownership.

— The lease at Blue Cross Arena for the Amerks is up in June.

One thing is for certain, we’re all very skeptical of Steve Donner that “things will be fixed soon.”  It would be nice at this point if there was something to go on other than his word.

Hearing this news from the Panthers points back to the idea of the Buffalo Sabres eventually owning the Amerks.  The Sabres aren’t interested in fielding a full AHL team. 

The Panthers seem to have two options: either become sole affiliate with new ownership in Rochester or spread players across the AHL.  Put two and two together and we have the same team as we do this year.

Chances are we’ll be heading well into the summer without a real resolution.

Quotes taken from the Miami Herald and Democrat and Chronicle.

The future of the Rochester Americans needs to be discussed given the recent news of the Rochester Raging Rhino’s and PAETEC Park.

I’ll start by summing up events of recent days and how they’re tied to the Amerks:

PAETEC Park is home of the USL Rochester Raging Rhino’s soccer team.  One of the owners of the Rhino’s is Steve Donner (President & CEO of the Amerks).

The ownership group of the Rhino’s had been trying to court an investor for the team.  They needed someone to take over the loan for the stadium, and invest money into improving it and the team.

On Monday it was announced that a deal with Dan Williams (the investor) and the bank h0lding the loan of the park could not be reached, Williams said he was walking away.

On Tuesday some key developments reported by 13 WHAM that can be tied to the Amerks:

The city is moving to take over the stadium, perhaps as soon as this week. The city owns the land upon which the stadium is built, and the Rhinos have been in default of their lease.

No one knows if a sale of the Rhino’s franchise will happen before the 2008 season, which begins in May.  The city says the current ownership group CANNOT field a team.

The city expects the bank to go after the three current owners’ assets. One of the owners, Steve Donner, has a substantial stake in the Amerks. Litigation could affect that franchise, as well.

A bankruptcy filing can’t be far behind for the current Rhino’s ownership group, especially with mention that the bank may attempt to go after assets of current owners.

We’ve been being told for months now by Steve Donner that he was in talks with some investors interested in buying a stake in the Amerks and Knighthawks and paying off debts.

One of the potential road blocks facing Steve Donner is a buyout of Randall Latona’s 20 percent share of both the Amerks and Knighthawk franchises.  On February 14th we were told that Donner and Latona had begun discussions and stopped a feud that seemed to be holding everything up.

“We may have had a breakthrough; I’m excited,” said Donner on February 14th, who predicted completion of a buyout by the end of the month if there are no snags.

It’s March 5th, apparently there have been snags, and with the news of the Rhino’s and PAETEC Park we have even more snags.

Going back in time even further, on May 10, 2007 it was announced that a one year lease agreement for the arena had been reached with the Amerks as well as “a commitment to resolve the matter one way or the other by October of 2007.”

There was no resolution of any sort in October 2007.

Timelines, promises, and predictions have all come and gone.

Amerks season ticket holders removed a ticket for this Sundays game, and they were greeted with a reminder saying, “Renew your season tickets today!”  I’m sure the phones started ringing off the hook.

With the debacle of PAETEC Park, and the blunder of the Fast Ferry, the city of Rochester isn’t going to be very willing to negotiate with the Amerks and Knighthawks in Blue Cross Arena under current ownership of Steve Donner and company.

The City of Rochester has previously stated that before they would renew any sort of lease with Blue Cross Arena they wanted to be confident the financial issues of the Amerks and Knighthawks were in order.

On February 19th the State of New York filed a tax warrant against the Rochester Knighthawks lacrosse team, the state says the team owes $27,078.53.

Let’s not forget that a law suit where Randall Latona is suing the Amerks management, including CEO Steve Donner, alleging financial mismanagement is still pending in the court systems and has not been resolved.

I imagine if there really was someone willing to invest in and pay off debts of the Amerks and Knighthawks that it would’ve happened by now.  The longer this drags on the worst it will probably get, similar to what has happened to the Rhino’s.

Here’s the only possible outcome I can see regarding the future of the Rochester Americans franchise: being purchased by the Buffalo Sabres.

The Buffalo Sabres did announce that the affiliation between the two teams was over with, but that was only with current Amerks ownership.  Just like the way Tom Golisano stood by on the sidelines waiting to come in and save the Sabres; I imagine he’s going to do the same for the Amerks.

It’s no secret that the City of Rochester would love to have the Sabres managing Blue Cross Arena and owning the Amerks, it would bring a high level of financial stability.

The topic of which NHL franchise (Sabres, Panthers, or other) is best suited as an affiliate for the Amerks to produce a winning franchise is an entirely different discussion.

No matter what the future has in order for the Amerks and Knighthawks franchises, I really can’t imagine Steve Donner being involved with them in any way.  I hope I’m wrong.  I hope that he is able to pull off a miracle and get the sinking ship afloat, but I just don’t see how that’s possible.  I’ll try making some phone calls on Wednesday, but don’t imagine anyone will answer or return any calls.

Anyone want to pool some money together to buy a lot of mega millions lottery tickets?

 (LGA)

Brian Elliott made 37 saves to get a shutout against the Amerks tonight.

The Senators scored three power play goals in their 4-1 victory over the depleted Amerks.

The Amerks totaled 56 penalty minutes during tonight’s game including two ten minute game misconducts, one against Mark Mancari and one against Mike Funk.

At one point, the Amerks had four men in the penalty box with no room left to spare.

The fact that the Amerks are missing many players due to call-ups and injuries is starting to take a major toll on the way the team is playing. They looked defeated before the game even started.

With the call-up of Marc-Andre Gragnani, the Amerks are now missing eight players. 

Tanner Glass, Drew Larman, and Rob Globke are in Florida playing for the Panthers. 

Clarke MacArthur, Patrick Kaleta, and Marco Gragnani are playing for the Buffalo Sabres.

Mike Card is still getting headaches from his concussion while Kenndal McArdle is nursing a broken foot for the next few weeks.

Adam Dennis also had his 9th straight start in goal tonight.

Tyler Plante is trying to make an injured shoulder get better fast enough to make a difference for the team, but if it doesn’t take to treatment soon he will have to have surgery on it.

This would bring up David Shantz again from the Florida Everblades.

Dennis is beginning to show that he can’t do it all alone and will need a break soon.

In tonight’s game, Peter Aston dropped the gloves with Danny Bois in the second period. Peter was dropped and hit his head on the ice. He had a pretty good gash, leaving the game and never returning.

The second period was a rough one for both teams. There were 19 penalties called adding up to 66 minutes in the penalty box for both teams.

Goals for the Binghamton Senators were scored by Shawn Weller (2:00 in the 1st), Denis Hamel (19:16 in the 1st [PP Goal]), Justin Mapletoft (14:02 in the 2nd [PP Goal]), and Matt Kinch (3:22 in the 3rd [PP Goal]).

There seemed to be a lot of suspect calls made against the Amerks tonight and many that were not called against the Senators that should have been.

This led to the animosity on the ice.

The next time the Amerks play the Senators (Saturday, March 15th in Binghamton), fans should expect this mentality to carry over.

It will most likely be another very physical game as the Amerks seek their first win of the season against the Senators. 

The Amerks are home again on Sunday against the Houston Aeros. This is the first of two meeting for the two teams this season.

The puck drops at 6:05 PM.

The Aeros are 28-22-2-3 on the season while the Amerks are still trying to get twenty wins this season.  They sit at 17-34-4-4.

Coach Randy Cunneyworth is still trying for his 300th win as the Amerks’ head coach. 

Will Sunday be the night? Or will the ailing Amerks not have enough players to get a good game going?

 (LGA) Adam Dennis lead the Amerks to a 2-1 over time victory tonight against the Albany River Rats with 39 saves, 33 of those coming in the first two periods.  In over time Franklin MacDonald received a pass from Stefan Meyer and took a shot from the point, Anthony Stewart scored the game winner off of the rebound.

The Rats took an early 1-0 lead when Jerome Samson was able to trickle a puck over the right shoulder of Adam Dennis on the power play.  Martin Lojek had been put in the penalty box on a weak holding penalty called by questionable referee Chris Ciamaga.

The Rats had seven power play opportunities but were only able to capitalize on one.

Marc-Andre Gragnani is quickly solidifying himself as Amerks rookie of the year after a rough start; he scored his seventh goal of the season at 8:27 of the second period to tie the game at 1-1.  He scored off of a perfect pass from Andrej Sekera.  This was the eight consecutive game in which he has tallied a point (three goals and 6 assists).

Dear Cunneyworth, keep Gragnani on offense, don’t ever let him play defense ever again - and make sure to tell his agent the same thing.

Anthony Stewart scored the game winner (11th goal of the season) at 1:30 into over time with assists from Franklin MacDonald and Stefan Meyer.

The #1 star of the game was definitely Adam Dennis.  It was his eighth straight start and 14th win of the season.  The only goal he allowed tonight barely trickled over his shoulder, other than that if it wasn’t for his play the Rats would’ve put the game away early in the second period.

Mike Funk also deserves mention for throwing his long legs all over the ice keeping shots from getting through on Adam Dennis.  Ever since he has returned from an injury and cut his hair his game has improved.

After the second period I had looked up at the shots board where it read 34-10 in favor of the River Rats, I couldn’t believe it was only a 1-1 game.  This is a different Amerks team that has emerged as of late and is not giving up throughout a game.

Rather than talk about a losing streak we can now talk about success as they’ve tallied at least a point in eight of the previous 11 games.  They’ve managed to accomplish this as six players who had been a big part of the lineup earlier in the season have been playing with the Panthers and Sabres.  Those players being Clarke MacArthur, Patrick Kaletta, Tanner Glass, David Brine, Rob Globke, and Drew Larman.

Two big things that can be attributed to the recent success is the improved play of Adam Dennis, as well as a group of guys who’ve seemed to come together as a team and play 60 minutes of hockey.  It’s too bad this didn’t start happening in early December.

The picture at the top of the article is of sticks belonging to Mike Weber, the writing on the sticks was in memory of his friend of Mickey Renaud who passed away this week at the age of 19, they were great friends in junior hockey.  There was a moment of silence at the start of the game in memory of Mickey.

“He was like a little brother to me,” said Weber (in Wednesdays D&C).

Mark Renaud (Mickey’s dad) was a teammate of Amerks coach Randy Cunneyworth for two seasons in Rochester (1983-84 and ‘84-85).

The Amerks are back at home on Friday night at 7:35 as they face off against the Binghamton Senators, the Amerks have lost all four games this season against the Senators.

It may be worth your time to return to an Amerks game if you’ve stayed away because of there play during December and January.