Business Ops Family Promotes Family-Friendly Entertainment

 By Kym Gilhooly

For hockey fans, the action is on the ice, and the Lewiston MAINEiacs players continue to provide ticket-holders with a world-class sports experience year in and out. But ensuring that a first-rate team takes to the rink every year requires an extensive amount of work behind the scenes as well.

Enter the MAINEiacs business operations team, a group of motivated individuals who not only know their jobs, but are passionate about the team and its ongoing success. From strategic planning to community relations to player development, the business ops group works hard to ensure they offer fans an affordable, quality product year after year. And in a state that lives and breathes hockey, that’s no small task.

“We are the best value for the entertainment dollar in the Twin Cities, bar none,” says Paul Spellman, partner for the team.

And that value isn’t just in entertainment — it’s also evident in the economic benefits the team brings to the Lewiston-Auburn community.

“The MAINEiacs have a tremendous economic impact on Lewiston and Auburn,” continues Spellman. “We play approximately 40 pre-season, regular season, and playoff games in Lewiston, and that contributes a significant cash influx to the hotels, motels, restaurants, and stores in the Twin Cities. We employ several local residents, and we strive to be good community partners that give back to that community.”

The 2010-2011 business group — comprised of veterans and new members alike — consists of dedicated individuals who cross-check every facet of activity necessary to providing the highest-quality entertainment for the fans in the seat. The group includes:

•Bill Schurman, management consultant/governor. Bill joined the MAINEiacs after serving for eight seasons as GM with the Moncton Wildcats.In his current role, he’s charged with working with the organization, partners, volunteers and fans to ensure that the team provides a quality entertainment experience and engenders pride in the LA area.

•DJ Abisalih, communications and radio color commentator. Entering his second season with the team, DJ produces written content for media coverage and PR. He also acts as color commentator for radio broadcasts, as well as conducting pre- and post-game interviews.

•Jim Anderschat, head statistician and supervisor of off-ice officials. Jim was the third person hired by the MAINEiacs in its infancy in 2003. He compiles all game statistics for the QMJHL, as well as for coaches, scouts and local and national media outlets. As supervisor for off-ice officials, he trains game timekeepers, statisticians and penalty-box attendants.

•Sean Bushway, game operations. Sean creates audio and video content for use during games, develops in-game promotions, and manages game staff. Previously, he handled video-board operations and the team’s website development.

•Josh Cousineau, chaplain. Josh meets weekly with team members who are interested in attending chapel services but may not be able to do so at normal times due to weekend games.

•Mike Haggett, media and community relations. Mike’s job is to ensure the club has a strong relationship with the community through media and other messaging outlets. Prior to his media relations role, he served as a team columnist as well as working as a radio color commentator.

•Rob Kennedy, alumni representative/historian. After being the voice of the MAINEiacs as the team’s television broadcaster from 2003-2008, Rob is now responsible for overseeing the MAINEiacs statistical library, updating individual and team statistics. He also acts as a liaison between the team and player alumni.

•Roger LaChapelle, academic advisor. A career specialist, Roger uses his expertise to ensure MAINEiacs players are on track with their educational pursuits. As the women’s ice hockey coach at Bates College, he knows his hockey as well as the importance of molding well-rounded athletes.

•Rob Mainville, corporate partnerships. With the team for six seasons, Rob is responsible for advertising sales and developing marketing relationships with area businesses.

•Ron Morin, team photographer, game operations assistant. Hired in 2003 in the early days of the franchise, Ron handles all photography for the team, from game action to special events to group photography.

•Kellie Morris, game operations assistant and coordinator of 50/50 sales for the MAINEiacs Education Foundation. Kellie interned with the team in 2007 before accepting her current position as the game operations assistant.

•George O’Connell, PR and group ticket sales. As PR rep for the team, George acts as liaison between management and the local media and community, as well as organizing group events for games.

•Alex Reed, broadcaster. Now in his fourth season with the team, Alex provides play-by-play coverage for all MAINEiacs game broadcasts, as well as assisting with media/community relations and ticket sales.

Just as many of them did when starting out with the MAINEiacs, the business operations team strongly encourages the community — both businesses and individuals — to become involved with the team, whether it be to volunteer their services or show their support by becoming die-hard fans. The MAINEiacs, according to the people who work for the organizations, are extremely fortunate to have such a strong and loyal fan base in the Lewiston-Auburn area, and the fans are equally fortunate to have access to elite hockey at a very affordable price.

“The QMJHL is a natural fit in Lewiston with it’s Franco-American and Canadian heritage,” says Haggett. “It exposes area hockey fans to the grass-roots level of professional hockey, and many players go on to play at higher levels, including the ECHL, AHL and the NHL. As players progress in their careers, there is a great deal of pride in knowing that they played and were a part of the community in the Lewiston-Auburn area.”

Schurman echoes the sentiment. “The state of Maine and the Lewiston-Auburn area are very important to the QMJHL. The MAINEiacs are proud to represent our community both on and off the ice,” he says. Schurman welcomes anyone in the community interested in becoming involved with the team to contact the organization.

“We are open to suggestions on improving our product and we invite people to contact us anytime,” he says. “The MAINEiacs offer many volunteer and partnership opportunities. We offer a fast-paced, fun atmosphere that provides many rewards — including helping the community become a better place to live, work and play.”

For anyone interested in volunteering or other opportunities with the MAINEiacs, contact the team at 207.333.3267 or via email at [email protected].

POSSIBLE PULL-QUOTES/CALL-OUTS:

“We are the best value for the entertainment dollar in the Twin Cities, bar none.” —Paul Spellman

“As MAINEiacs players progress in their careers, there is a great deal of pride in knowing that they played and were a part of the community in the Lewiston-Auburn area.” — Mike Haggett