Kyle Dubas introduced as Hounds new G.M.
Soo Greyhounds President & Chairman of the Board, Dr. Lou Lukenda officially introduced KYLE DUBAS as the team’s new General Manager earlier today.
“Today we move in a new direction” stated Dr. Lukenda. “Kyle’s character, passion, energy and unique qualifications will lead our organization into the new realities of today’s hockey. He is an intelligent hockey mind who has a passion for our community and our team” concluded Lukenda.
Dubas, a native of Sault Ste. Marie leaves his position of 5 years as an NHLPA Certified Agent with Uptown Sports Management. During that time Dubas was actively involved in recruiting and advising players at the major junior, collegiate and pro level while representing players in their contract negotiations with NHL and AHL clubs. Some of his locally known clients included Dustin Jeffrey (Pittsburg Penguins, NHL), Andrew Campbell (Manchester Monarchs, AHL), and Brandon Archibald (Saginaw Spirit, OHL)
“I feel very honoured and blessed to be embarking on this opportunity as the General Manager of the Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club. I am very thankful to the Board of Directors of the Hockey club for putting their faith in me and believing that I possess the ability to guide this club to a level of sustained success both on the ice and in the community. Over the coming years, the club’s ownership, players, staff, fans, and citizens of Sault Ste. Marie can be certain that I will pour every ounce of energy and passion that I have into making this an organization that they can be extremely proud of” stated Dubas.
“The city of Sault Ste. Marie and the Soo Greyhounds hockey club have played an instrumental role in my development as a person. The Greyhounds gave me an opportunity to begin in hockey at a very young age and I have always operated in a way that I hoped would make the Greyhounds and the people of Sault Ste. Marie very proud.”
Kyle comes back to the Greyhounds organization after working 13 years in the hockey business beginning in 1998-99. Aside from his position with Uptown, Dubas previously worked with the Greyhounds in both Hockey & Business Operations. His role with the club included developing new corporate partners & revenue streams while also scouting and player development.
The Sports Management Graduate from Brock University (Dean’s List honours) becomes one of the youngest GM’s in Ontario Hockey League history and is one of three members of the Dubas family to work for the team. Kyle’s grandfather, Walter, coached the Hounds from 1960 through 1967 while his sister Megan currently holds the position of the team’s Marketing & Gameday Operations Coordinator.
“This is a young, talented hockey club with a promising core group of players already in place. I will strive to bring the best possible coaching staff to the Soo so that these young men can maximize their potential on and off the ice” mentioned the Hounds new GM.
“The motto that will encompass our entire organization in 2011-12 season is ‘The Rising’ . The Rising embodies a movement towards long-term excellence by capturing the passion, energy, and enthusiasm of the organization and the city of Sault Ste. Marie. I can assure you that our entire staff will do everything possible to make this the most exciting era of Greyhounds hockey in nearly two decades.” concluded Dubas.
Kyle will now immediately begin preparing for the OHL’s Priority Selection (Saturday, May 7th) while moving forward with securing the team’s coaching staff.
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Transcript of the message from DR. LOU LUKENDA (Greyhounds President & Chairman of the Board)
“The Owners of the Soo Greyhounds have consistently proceeded through the years with the following major objectives which are interrelated so that a weakness in any one will have a direct impact on the whole: firstly, to maintain the Greyhounds as part of the fabric of the community by insuring the continuing presence of the Greyhounds in Sault Ste. Marie; secondly, to work towards providing our fans with a hardworking, exciting and winning team; and thirdly, to maintain the financial integrity of the organization.
Since the beginning of the year, the Board of Directors has thoroughly examined all aspects of the Soo Greyhounds organization. We have quietly listened to all those who have a passion for our community and our team and those that have our best interest at heart. Based on examination of our organization, advice from numerous hockey people (NHL / OHL), and the interview of numerous excellent applicants for the position of General Manager, the Soo Greyhounds are prepared to move in a new direction. The first step in this direction is the hiring of Kyle Dubas as General Manager.
Kyle has the character, passion, energy and unique qualifications to lead us into the new realities of today’s hockey. He comes highly recommended from numerous respected sources in the hockey world. Kyle has worked in hockey since September 1998 as part of the Soo Greyhounds until graduating from Brock University with a degree in Sports Management. Since 2006, he has been employed by Uptown Sports representing elite hockey players and their parents. Kyle has successfully recruited players in North America and Europe. He has superior knowledge with respect to talent and availability of players in the OHL and Import draft and has excellent contacts to attract undrafted players in the future.
Over the past few days we have been asked what message this is sending to our fans? The answer to that is the same message the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays sent their fans when hiring their organizations youngest General Manager.
In 2002 the Boston Red Sox hired Theo Epstein as General Manager at 28 years of age to lead them to win the World Series two years later. The Texas Rangers named Jon Daniels as General Manager at 28 years of age who lead them to their first pennant five years later. In October, the Toronto Blue Jays hired Alex Anthopolous as the youngest General Manager in team history.
The Soo Greyhounds have decided to pursue excellence through the high character, passion and energy of a young man with these qualifications following in the path of those innovative organizations who have achieved excellence.
Organizations stand to benefit by instilling young leaders who combine intelligence, courage, energy and fresh ideas as they shift toward success. Kyle brings all of these to the Soo Greyhounds.”
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Quote from DON REYNOLDS (President of Uptown Sports Management)
“When I first met Kyle in Sault Ste. Marie five years ago to interview him for an agent’s job at Uptown Sports, I was slightly taken aback by his youthful appearance. However, Kyle quickly displayed extensive knowledge and maturity beyond his years. Our company hired him on the spot. Since that day he has done an exceptional job of recruiting and managing our players on our behalf. Age was never a factor. In my opinion there would be no-one better for the Soo GM position than him. He has a terrific personality, is a tireless worker and shows exceptional judgement and wisdom in all his decisions. Kyle treats everyone with respect and shows genuine concern for them. It is a bittersweet time for us at Uptown Sports as we are happy for Kyle but will miss him greatly. We know that he will do a stellar job for the Soo Greyhounds organization and for the city.”
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Quote from SHERRY BASSIN (Owner / Governor / GM of the Erie Otters, OHL / Former GM of the Greyhounds)
“I commend the Soo Greyhounds on their choice of Kyle as GM. Some may ask the question, why? I ask the question why not? Kyle is energetic, passionate, loyal, and knowledgeable. He has a driving work ethic and good values. Kyle will be a good leader for the Soo and a welcome addition to the OHL. When I told my dog Newman, my travelling companion, about Kyle being the new GM of the Greyhounds, his concern was that we would have to get
up earlier in the mornings to compete. Newman loves to sleep late. Soo Greyhounds — good choice.”
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Quote from GREG MILLEN (Hockey Analyst for Hockey Night in Canada / Former Soo Greyhound)
“Congratulations to the Executive Board of the Soo Greyhounds on selecting Kyle Dubas as their new General Manager. Kyle has a high hockey IQ and a sharp eye for talent. His incredible work ethic, youthful energy and fresh structured plan will be the start of an exciting new era for the Greyhounds organization. The current and future players are very fortunate to have a new leader that will be committed to restore the team’s rich winning tradition and strong reputation it once enjoyed. As a passionate Greyhound alumni member who owes so much to the great fans and City of Sault Ste. Marie, I am extremely excited about the future of the Soo Greyhounds with Kyle Dubas as their General Manager.
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Quote from CHRIS NEIL (Ottawa Senators, NHL)
“Kyle Dubas is a great guy. He is hard working and honest. I had the pleasure to work with Kyle over the past 5 years and he did an excellent job for me. I wish him all the best in his new role in the Soo- congrats Kyle!”
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Quote from TODD REYNOLDS (Vice-President of Uptown Sports Management)
“Kyle Dubas has operated with the highest level of integrity in a business lacking it. He builds strong, long-lasting relationships. People like him, and trust him. He has effectively managed the careers of several NHL clients, doing a masterful job in all areas of their affairs. He is a tough negotiator who will not back down. I believe he will do a wonderful job in the Soo- a city and team that he is very passionate about. We were very blessed to have Kyle on our staff at Uptown Sports”.
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Quote from MIKE FISHER (Nashville Predators, NHL)
“I have had the pleasure to get to know Kyle Dubas since his hiring at Uptown Sports back in 2005. I quickly realized that he was extremely capable and displayed in depth knowledge of the game. He was always friendly and professional when interacting with management and players alike. He will be missed, but I wish him all the best in the Soo”.
