Warriors owner takes hands on approach

By Patty Francis

Team Staff Writer

Akwesasne Warriors fans entering the A’nowara’kowa Arena at home games are greeted by a man who welcomes them in and offers to answer any questions about the team.

The man who greets the fans is not hired by the minor league hockey team, and he isn’t a member of the arena’s staff. He is owner Basem Awwad, and such personal efforts are exactly the image he intends to portray to the Akwesasne community.

“You’re not going to find me in the office hiding,” Awwad said. “I’ve taken a much more active role here; I am going to keep plugging away.”

Many previous minor league hockey teams shut down when ownerships cite a lack of fan support as the reason for the team’s demise. Awwad, who brought hockey to town in October, is seeing attendance problems in the Warriors’ inaugural season despite his attempts to personalize the hockey experience with a more hands-on effort.

“I will always be in the stands,” Awwad said in March when he announced his intention to bring a Federal Hockey League expansion team to Akwesasne. “I am not the type of person to sit in sky boxes or to hide in the office. I will be at every game.”

But almost two months into hockey’s return, the view from Awwads seat behind the visiting bench of the arena hasn’t been what he hoped. The Warriors sit at the top of the league’s standings, but attendance rankings are an average of 680 fans per game. The Danbury Whalers are ranked No. 1 with an average of 1870 fans per game.

For Awwad, who has only seen a crowd top 1736 once in thirteen home games, the difficult task at hand is becoming clearer. But he is not ready to give up.

“It’s just going to take a long, hard grind,” Basem Awwad said. “My commitment is the same. If someone could tell me how to get another 1,500 people in here, I’d love to hear it. We would do it tomorrow. But we have done a lot already.”

FIXING MISTAKES

Awwad was happy with the team’s home opener in October where the attendance for the first home game hit 1752. Managing Director Mike Piquette who also took over as the Head Coach in September because previous Head Coach Joe Phillips stepped down to pursue a Masters Degree in Buffalo had failed to keep the interest from the first few games.  Mike Piquette walked out on the team when he was asked to focus on the marketing aspect of the team rather than on the players. Angelo Sanseverino has taken over as the bench boss and Basem Awwad handles the GM duties himself.

“We all make judgment mistakes on individuals and people. I had let somebody be the managing director and it didn’t work. He wasn’t doing what he needed to do, and therefore game day operations in the front lobby weren’t doing what they needed to do,” Awwad said. “So now I’ve taken over with the help of local business people in the community. Angelo and I talk four or five times a day. He and I see eye to eye. ... He really wants to do things right.”

Doing things right, Awwad said, includes getting players into the community. Seven players visited the boys and girls club in Akwesasne and stressed the importance of playing drug free and maintaining a healthy and athletic lifestyle. Players and kids enjoyed a few hours of playing a street hockey game.  Basem Awwad said players will make four or five similar appearances at local community centers before the end of the year.

Members of the team and front office also volunteered their time to assist in the Thanksgiving Dinner for the Thompson family on American Thanksgiving Day. And the team recently helped serve Christmas Dinner at the community centre for the Elders.

“When we promote something we want to make sure we do it right. We’re not just going to have a promotion just to say we’re promoting something,” Awwad said. “As time goes on, you’ll see the progress.”

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Promotions at home games include a super chuck-a-puck where the winner receives a free cell phone and minutes courtesy of Rez Phones.  After the end of the first period two shooters are selected to compete for a free large pizza and 50 wings courtesy of Joe Eddys Pizzeria.  There is a speed bingo going on during the game and many prizes to be won. Lucky program holders can also win a ski pass and there is always a big 50/50 payout even when there is a lower attendance number.

Big promotions are still going forward. Fans that bring a bridge toll receipt get a discounted ticket price.

“My main goal really is to see progress, whether it’s from our game operations side or seeing more people in the stands or our corporate relationships or getting our players out in the community more. That’s the important part for me“ Awwad said.

The product on the ice has been outstanding; the Warriors team features 6 players that have been on NHL ice.  Pierre Dagenais,  the FHL’s leading scorer has played four season in the NHL between the NJ Devils, Florida Panthers and his hometown Montreal Canadiens. Carter Trevisani was an 8th round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes and attended their camp back in 2002.  Trevisani opted to sign and play in Italy where he holds dual citizenship.  He represented Italy in the 2006 Olympics and has been a part of 3 World Championships where he competed against the Worlds top players. Miguel Delisle, a native of Cornwall, Ontario was a fourth round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs and attended their camp.  Dan Tessier has been part of three NHL Camps in Montreal, Ottawa and Chicago. Jeremy Van Hoof is a second round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins and has attended 2 camps in the NHL with Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.  Pat Deraspe, Warriors Captain has had many attempts in the NHL with Montreal, Chicago and Quebec.

The skill and talent of these gentlemen have helped push the Warriors to the top of standings in the first 20 games of the season.

For at least the immediate future, Awwad will continue to wait for Akwesasne and area to buy into the team as well.

Basem Awwad

Team President / Akwesasne Warriors HC

613-864-3565