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Sherry Bassin will not be GM of OHL's Erie Otters after sale
For Sherry Bassin, the rare hockey person who does not act like charisma is a virus, to exit the Ontario Hockey League stage via a letter to the community seems kind of anticlimactic. Nevertheless, the junior hockey solon did ultimately achieve his end result of keeping the Erie Otters from relocating after fending off a lawsuit from Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz.
The machinations involved taking the Otters into bankruptcy, where they were auctioned off to James A. Waters. The sale is final now, but the big takeaway is that Bassin, the only general manager the franchise has had since moving south from Niagara Falls, Ont., in 1996, will not return, with Dave Brown being promoted from assistant GM to general manager.
The 75-year-old Bassin published an open letter saying he would be departing, meaing the post-Connor McDavid Otters' personality will be even more different.
Bassin's letter reads, in part:
I can honestly say that I couldn't have imagined a better outcome, and am extremely excited about the future for the Erie Otters under his leadership.
On a personal note, I also wanted to let you know that I will not be a part of the Otters organization going forward. Leading up to today I have had many lengthy discussions with Jim about his vision for the Otters, and it's become clear to both of us that his vision for the team doesn't have a place for me. I completely respect his vision, and throughout this process Jim has treated me with tremendous respect and professionalism. (Erie Times-News, July 18)
One could only imagine it would have been awkward to have the former managing partner working for the new owners during a transition.
The Toronto Sun reported in May that Bassin had his heart set on continuing to Erie. It would be hard to imagine someone who had been around the OHL since it was known by a different abbreviation not staying involved somehow. Hockey Hall of Fame coach Brian Kilrea, who turns 81 in October, is still involved as a senior advisor with the Ottawa 67's. Bassin's experience eye for talent — case in point: Alex DeBrincat winning OHL rookie of the year after being passed over in the priority selection draft — will be an asset somewhere.
Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @naitSAYger.
