Sunday, March 27, 2011

Bulldogs alter organizational structure

Press Release

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announced a number of structural changes to their organization this week aimed at improving the club's performance on and off the ice.

Head coach Paul Esdale will no longer handle general manager duties but will take on the title of assistant director of hockey operations. The assistant coach role will become a seasonal one

"This move will allow Paul to focus on the athletes and hockey department completely," said club president Andy Oakes.

The club has also hired local businessman Ron Paulson to fill the newly created position of director of business operations. Paulson has over 35 year of business experience in Port Alberni and will be charged with building and sustaining relationships with the community.

"We are extremely pleased to have Ron join our organization," said Oakes. "He has proven himself to be a great Alberni citizen who has contributed to multiple successful community events over the years."

Paulson currently works for Port Alberni Parks and Recreation and first came to town in 1974 to play for the local senior hockey team. He was chair of the World U17 Hockey Challenge in 2009 and has worked for the BC Summer and Winter Games. He also sits on the Alberni Valley Tourism board and acts as director of the Community Futures board.

"I'm very excited about joining the Bulldogs family," said Paulson. "I've been involved with Bulldogs games for eight years from the parks and recreation side and I have a strong devotion to the club in good times and in bad. I look forward to bringing that enthusiasm in to work with me."

Alberni Valley has also created a director of hockey operations position that has yet to be filled.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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