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The Milwaukee Admirals
Our schedule called for a four game cross-Canada road trip, but we decided to make an extra stop so we could watch our farm team. The Milwaukee Admirals had been sending weekly progress reports since they started playing, but it was always better to see young players with your own eyes. As we watched the game from the team box, Eddie Atchison (the Admirals GM), explained the dire financial situation they were operating under.
Part of our philosophy had always been to help young players experience a winning culture even before they got to us, so we told Eddie we'd speak with Canuck ownership about increasing the affiliate budget as soon as we got back to Vancouver. (More money equaled more resources and a better chance to create a winning environment).
All of a sudden there was a loud outburst from the crowd. Knowing we were in the building, Gino Odjick, one of our toughest kids, was trading shots with a heavyweight on the other team. Gino won the fight handily, and with the crowd chanting his name, he must have felt good about standing out and improving his chances for a call-up.
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