Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Blades Keep Hockey Operations Staff Together Through

Press Release

Saskatoon, SK -- Following one of the most successful two-and-a-half season stretches in franchise history, Saskatoon Blades’ President and Governor Jack Brodsky has rewarded several members of the hockey club’s Hockey Operations staff by either signing them to new contracts or extending their current deals.

With General Manager and Head Coach Lorne Molleken already under contract through the end of the 2012-13 season, four key people will be with him through that time period. Assistant General Manager Jarrod Brodsky and Head Scout Doug Molleken have each had their contracts extended by two years through the end of 2012-13. In addition, Assistant Coach David Struch and Athletic Trainer Steve “Hilty” Hildebrand have agreed to new contract terms with the Blades through 2012-13.

Since January 11, 2008, the Saskatoon Blades have recorded 111 wins, 46 losses and 18 extra time losses for a .686 winning percentage in those 175 regular-season games. Included in that time is an East Division regular-season championship in 2008-09, the franchise’s first since 1994. In addition, the Blades have qualified for the playoffs twice, winning an opening round series this past spring in a four-game sweep over the Red Deer Rebels and compiling an overall post-season record of 9-8 in the two post-season runs.

“There’s no question, I think we’ve done an outstanding job here over the last few years,” stated Jack Brodsky who, along with brother Bob and sister Debbie, have carried on owning the Blades’ franchise that their late father Nate acquired 100% control of back in 1980. “Even before that, when the team was not performing quite the way we wanted it to, it was all part of the process of building towards where we are now as a hockey club. And, now with the success we’ve had, at least certainly in the regular season the last couple of years.”

Jarrod Brodsky is the son of Blades’ co-owner Bob Brodsky and has been “Bleeding Blue” for as long as he can remember! He officially joined the organization in 2001 as an Administrative Assistant to Jack Brodsky before becoming the Assistant General Manager in 2005.

“I am very pleased with the support Jarrod offers to me in an administrative capacity,” said Lorne Molleken. “He has also done a very good job of supporting and assisting me when it comes to scouting the Western Hockey League and European players…plus helping out with the Bantams. He’s an important part of the organization and deserves the contract extension!”

Doug Molleken is into his fifth season as Head Scout and has been a member of the Blades’ scouting staff for all seven seasons that his younger brother Lorne has been back with the organization.

“Doug works countless hours and puts on a lot of miles on behalf of the hockey club,” stated Lorne Molleken. “He has done a very good job with re-building our 50-man protected list…especially when it comes to insuring we have quality depth at all positions. He gets a lot of credit for our recent success!”

One of the all-time top offensive players in Blades’ history, David Struch returns for a fifth season as an Assistant Coach.

“David has done a tremendous job for the Blades and deserves the new contract,” said Lorne Molleken. “He is heavily involved in our on-ice decision-making and I’m very comfortable with that because of how hard he works and his loyalty to the organization. David is a young guy who wants to be a head coach in the W.H.L. someday and is acquiring the assets and tools to be one!”

Outside of the 2006-07 season in which he worked as the Equipment Manager for the Manitoba Moose of the A.H.L., Steve “Hilty” Hildebrand has been a part of the Blades’ training staff since 2000.

“In my mind, “Hilty” is one of the best there is at his trade,” stated Lorne Molleken. “He not only has the respect of all of our players but has that respect amongst his colleagues around the rest of the league. Steve is an important part of this organization!”

“We’ve just got a great team of people here that work so well together and have a lot of confidence in each other,” said Jack Brodsky. “It certainly made a lot of sense for us to have all that run through 2013!”


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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