December 17, 1943: Detroit, MI:
Jack Barrell slammed the phone down, his face red and his breathing heavy. He tried to calm himself down, but couldn't remember the last time he had been so angry. He stood up and took several deep breaths, attempting to quell his rage. He glanced around his study, the one room in the house that was unequivocally his, as he lived with four women. His eyes fell on his collection of trophies earned during his successful career in sports, including baseball, football, and hockey, where he had excelled as a top-flight defenseman and winger before becoming a coach. His gaze then shifted to the newspaper on his desk, the article that had triggered his outburst, written by Detroit Times hockey writer Dan Urbanski:
Rumors Swirl About Barrell's Job Security
Detroit, MI - December 17, 1943
Speculation is rife in the hockey circles of Detroit as rumors circulate about the job security of Detroit Motors' head coach, Jack Barrell. After a slow start to the season and two consecutive strong regular seasons followed by failures to capture the coveted Challenge Cup, whispers abound that Motors' owner, John Connelly Jr, is considering a change behind the bench. Connelly, known for his passion for the sport and his desire to see the Motors succeed, has not made any official statement regarding the rumors, but speculation continues to mount.
The Motors have been a formidable force in the league for years, but this season has been off to a lackluster start. With a string of losses and inconsistent performances, fans and pundits alike have been buzzing about the team's struggles, and attention has turned to the coaching staff.
Barrell, who has been at the helm of the Motors for the past eight seasons, has led the team to multiple playoff appearances - and a Cup win in 1939 - and has been credited with developing young talent. However, the recent setbacks and the team's failure to capture the Challenge Cup for two years running has put his job in jeopardy.
Some fans are divided on the issue, with some calling for Barrell's dismissal and others expressing support for the coach and his contributions to the team. Critics point to the team's inconsistent performance and lack of results as evidence for the need for a change, while supporters of Barrell highlight his experience and track record of success.
"I think it's time for a change," said Mike Thompson, a longtime Motors fan. "We've had a slow start, and we've been struggling to regain our championship form. It might be time to shake things up and try a new approach."
On the other hand, there are those who believe that Barrell should be given more time to turn the team's fortunes around. "Barrell has been a good coach for us," said Sarah Johnson, another Motors fan. "He has a strong coaching pedigree, and he has nurtured young talent on our team. I think he deserves a chance to make adjustments and get the team back on track."
As the speculation continues, all eyes are on the Motors' upcoming games and how the team will fare in the coming weeks. The pressure is on for Barrell and his coaching staff to reverse the team's fortunes and put an end to the swirling rumors about his job security.
Neither Barrell nor Connelly Jr has made any official comments on the matter, and until any official announcement is made, the rumors about a potential coaching change will likely persist. Motors fans and hockey enthusiasts in Detroit will be eagerly watching to see how the situation unfolds and what changes, if any, are made to the team's coaching staff in the days to come.
In the meantime, the Motors will continue to lace up their skates and take to the ice, aiming to turn their season around and prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with in the league.
With a growl, Jack scooped the paper off the desk and crumpled it into a ball, tossing it into the wastebasket. "Barrell hasn't commented," he muttered. "Maybe because no one asked me..."
His wife Marie and their daughters were all out at the moment and he was alone. The girls had a cat, but it was hiding somewhere, no doubt sensing Jack's foul mood.
The door opened and Marie bustled in, carrying a paper bag full of groceries. "I am home mon cheri," she said as she passed the door of the study.
Jack walked out and followed her into the kitchen. Marie plopped the bag onto the table and looked at her husband. "Why are you angry?" she asked concernedly.
"Ah, that bum Urbanski wrote that my head is on the chopping block," he growled.
"Chopping block?" Marie asked. Her English was very good, but there were still some idioms she failed to grasp. Jack explained that he meant the sportswriter had claimed Jack was on the verge of being fired.
"Junior would not do this thing, would he?" she asked.
Jack frowned. He and Junior Connelly were friends, even good friends. But Junior wanted a winner. In that way he was definitely his father's son and John Connelly Sr had been the kind of man who took no prisoners and considered nothing too underhanded in the pursuit of victory. Finally, he answered his wife: "I don't know. I hope not," he said.
"Perhaps you should call him," Marie suggested.
Jack pondered this for a moment and then nodded. "That's a good idea. Might as well go straight to the man himself," he said.
Jack's daughters Jean and Vera came home from school just as Jack was picking up the phone. They went into the study and each gave him a kiss on the cheek. Jean was now 20 and studying art, while 14-year-old Vera was now in high school. Jack often wondered where the time had gone. Agnes, their eldest daughter was serving in Hawaii with the WAVES.
"Papa, I have a sketch for you," Jean told him as she opened her satchel and pulled out a rolled up sketch. Jack was impressed with her talent and knew it didn't come from his side. The Barrells made great athletes, but aside from Rollie's financial wizardry, that was the only thing in which his family excelled.
He looked at the sketch and was impressed. He thanked Jean and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Thank you, darling," he said. He looked at Vera. "Nothing from you?" he asked with a grin. Vera batted playfully at his shoulder and said, "Nope, sorry."
Jack excused himself and the girls went out to the kitchen where he heard them chatting happily with their mother. He closed the study door and phoned Junior.
The Motors owner was about as happy with the newspaper story as Jack himself was. "I don't know where they get this stuff," he told Jack. "We have no plans to make a change, Jack."
"Thanks Junior," Jack replied.
Junior pointed out that he did expect the club to make a turnaround. Jack bit his tongue - it had been Junior's meddling that had resulted in a trade that sent Fred Yeadon, a good young defenseman, over to Boston back in April, a move Jack was against, but Junior signed the checks and so his word was final.
"We'll get there, Junior," Jack said.
"I sure hope so," Junior replied. His tone of voice left Jack uneasy. He wondered, as he hung up the phone, if the newspaper story wasn't completely wrong, but just slightly ahead of its time.
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Jack Barrell, by Jean Barrell, 1943