What's the Old Guy think of the New Guy?
October 6, 2003


Story by: Damon Papadopoulos

He was there in the days of Harold Ballard, Punch Imlach and John Brophy. When Borje Salming was the veteran and Wendel Clark was the new kid. He was the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. And he was just 30 years old. So how did Gord Stellick find himself in charge of Canada's hockey team?

"I started working part-time for the Leafs when I was still in high school… working game nights in the press box. And then I got a job in the front office doing day of game stuff," Stellick reminisces. "I started full time as an Executive Assistant. I moved up to Assistant to the General Manager, then Assistant General Manager, running their American Hockey League team in Newmarket, then I became General Manager in 1988."

Fifteen years later and Stellick finds himself as host on Toronto's sports talk radio station, the FAN 590. He's also a hockey analyst on Rogers Sportsnet, makes appearances on Leafs TV, and is even writing a book on the '66-'67 Leafs. But what does he think of John Ferguson Junior, the man named to his old position?

"I don't know him real well, but I know his dad a lot better," he says. "I've talked to him a few times… met him a few times."

And has he had a conversation with Ferguson since his appointment as Leafs' General Manager?

"No. Haven't spoke with him. I would if he wanted too… I think I could give him a lot of interesting perspectives. I wouldn't mind doing that, I mean, totally off the record. Maybe that'll happen… (it's just that) he's had so much he's had to assimilate and grasp in such a short period of time."

Even with the lack of contact, Stellick knows Ferguson will have challenges to face as leader.

"There's so many facets… (but) the big thing is, it's not his staff," Stellick states. "I don't look at him as the guy who's going to be accountable in the short term. I think that down the road he'll get some of his guys in and we'll see more of his imprint on the team." "I still think it's Pat Quinn's team; so I think Fergie gets some slack that way, that (for the season) if it goes well, he can take the credit: if it doesn't go well, he never really had control."

And control is a big issue, especially when you have such a strong presence with Pat Quinn. So how does Gord think Pat Quinn will deal with a new boss?

"Pat Quinn's not going to change. Why would he? He's got the power, he's got the contract, and I think that the hiring of John Ferguson was more Richard Peddie putting his imprint (in), saying, "I'm actually the boss, I'm bringing in my guy." John Ferguson better hope things go well for Pat Quinn because if it comes to that moment that Fergie's got to fire Pat Quinn, that'll be a real telling moment."

Do tell. Could that happen in the near future?

"If the team stunk this year, then all coaches are accountable, and it's not out of the realm that he may have to think of firing Pat Quinn; but I don't think that's in the cards."

Stellick's given his advice on how to deal in the front office. What would he tell Ferguson to do behind the bench?

"They've got to get better on the blue line. Ed Belfour, when he's on his game, can give you as good a goal-tending as there is. Up front, there's a lot of fire power. The big thing is on defense. That's in the short term and everyone knows that they've got to improve the blue line. In the long term, they've got to figure out why they have not done such a good job of drafting and developing players. They don't have 20-something (year old) players… they don't have guys that age and that's key. You can't just keep signing unrestricted free agents who are 31 plus and win a Stanley Cup. You've got to develop guys that make an impact on your organization and the Leafs haven't been doing that."

And that's his best piece of advice?

"Yeah, it would be. So no other Jason Smith situations happen. So you don't have a guy you decide can't play for your team and you trade him away for not very much and (now) he's the best defenseman on the Edmonton Oilers. That doesn't make sense at all."

Doesn't make sense to a Leafs fan either. It's the kind of thing that makes you wonder how Toronto will do this year.

"They're going to make the play-offs," Stellick states. "They're going to be an entertaining team, at times. They're certainly going to be a competitive team. But they have said their goal is to win the Stanley Cup and they have not proven that - that they're willing to make the sacrifices or put a team together that legitimately is a Stanley Cup contender."

"It'll be the same old same old."
I hope not. And if you love the Blue and White, you'll feel the same way too. Gord Stellick hopes the Leafs can bring home the hardware too, because, when it's all said and done, he misses the job.

"Yeah, you do. I do miss living and dying with the team. But it's also healthy not to do that. I was fortunate to be involved in that and that was a lot of fun," he muses. "If it ever came up again that'd be great to do, but I'll cherish the memories and I'll just enjoy being an observer and commentator right now."

John Ferguson Junior certainly hopes that time doesn't come soon. He's looking to make his mark as the latest General Manager of what could arguably be the greatest team of all time. But if he isn't up to the task, I know a guy who'd probably love to take the reins one more time.