'Disappointed' with result, GM debates returning to Preds
Posted By By Dan Plouffe

Port Hope Predators general manager Tim Clayden is debating whether he'll return to the team after what he called a "discouraging and disappointing" end to this season at the hands of the Kingston Voyageurs in the second round of the Ontario Provincial Junior 'A' Hockey League playoffs.

For his part, team governor Rod Finney would like to keep Clayden on board.

"I'm pretty sure he will be back," Finney said after the team's end-of-year photos were snapped at the Jack Burger Sports Complex Tuesday night. "We'll get together with Tim this week to discuss next year, but I don't see it being a problem."

Clayden, the Preds' director of hockey operations since 2004, said he won't decide for sure whether he'll return until later this month.

"I put a lot of time into the hockey club this year, and frankly, I'm disappointed in the result. I asked the guys to look in the mirror, and I gotta look in the mirror - I did make a few bad moves," Clayden said.

"I've been involved with a few hockey clubs and nobody treats people better than (owners) Rod Finney and Sandy Smith. There's so many dedicated volunteers that this organization deserves better than the result we got. It doesn't sit well with me right now."

One of the biggest factors in the decision for Clayden - whose home is about 350 kilometres away near Parry Sound - is going to be family concerns.

"I don't wear the pants in my family - I gotta go home and make sure I can go out and do hockey for another year," Clayden said. "It's not something that I'm leaning towards going elsewhere. I just want to get home, hug my kids and catch my breath."

Early in the season, Clayden served the end of a six-month suspension for a tampering charge involving a Cobourg player he wanted to acquire for the Predators last year near the trade deadline.

Port Hope last won the OPJHL East Division title in 2005, made the final in 2006 but has lost in the second round each of the last two seasons.

The Predators have a 138-34-19-5 regular season record overall since Clayden joined the organization.

Watch the Evening Guide for a complete review of the Predators' season

phegletters@northumberlandtoday.com

http://www.predatorsjrahockey.net/newgmsreturndebated.htm

Preds done for the year
Wed Mar 05, 2008

By: By Jason Chamberlain

The Port Hope Predators will have to wait until next year to compete for a championship.

The Junior A club was eliminated from the OPJHL playoffs on Sunday, March 2, when they lost 7-1 to the Kingston Voyageurs in game five of the East Division semi-finals. The win sealed a 4-1 series victory for the Vees.â?¨ "After the first two games, I thought this series would go six or seven," said Coach Brian Drumm, in reference to the first two games of the series where the two clubs traded 5-2 victories.

The Preds were close to taking a 2-1 series lead in game three, leading 1-0 late in the third period, when a Kingston goal tied the score and forced overtime. The Vees won the game and took control of the series.

"Kingston seemed to fuel up off of that overtime game," said Drumm. "They weren't going to let us go any further. It ended quicker than I thought it would."

Though the team hoped to make a run at a championship, Drumm still found plenty of positives in his first year behind the Port Hope bench. "It was very enjoyable," he said. "I've been at war with these guys for a lot of years, and it was a big change to come here. (Port Hope) has treated myself and my family with a lot of respect."

Drumm said he will gladly return to the Preds bench next season if team management invites him back, and the team has a strong core of players that are eligible to return, including Tyler Miller, Jeremy McCarty (who has been named captain for next season) and goaltenders Billy Stone and Spencer Finney. But the club will also say goodbye to some long-time Predators like Captain Kevin Parker and Chad Dunlop, who, at 20, are no longer eligible to play Junior A hockey.

"It gives them the opportunity to move on," said Drumm. "They're all good kids. They're moving on to bigger and better things."

Dunlop, who tied with Miller for the team's regular season points lead, will compete next year in the U.S.-based Central Hockey League, and will take with him many fond memories of his time in Port Hope. "I had a great time. It's a tight group of guys. It would have been nice to go a little farther, but it wasn't in the cards for us this year," he said.

Parker, who is undecided as to whether he will pursue hockey further, was happy to pass on the team captaincy to the younger McCarty. "He's got a great future ahead of him," he said.

As for the new captain, who served as an assistant this season, he looks forward to taking up the challenge of leading the Predators next year.

"It means the world," he said of being given the 'C'. "I have big shoes to fill, and it's a big responsibility. I'll try to lead the team as far as we can go."

The road to the 2008/09 Predators season begins May 23-25 at the team's spring training camp.

http://www.predatorsjrahockey.net/newspredsdonefor2008playoffs.htm

new GM again in Seguin next year?

Orr4life sure thinks so.

I seem to remember, quite well, how much Orr4life was helping Tim with his resume for next year in Sequin.

In any case, whatever TC decides to do, his record, in Port Hope,speaks for itself. It was impressive. There is little doubt this man is well connected in the hockey community.

There are some who did not agree with his methods of recruiting. Others who marvelled at his wheeling and dealing .

Whatever TC does next year, one thing is certain. It won't take him long to build a contender out of the Seguin Bruins.

If I were a betting man, I'd say he's already written his ticket for going back to the Parry Sound area.

There are some GMS who have been highly successful in this league. Perry Bowles, now in Cobourg and TC in Port Hope are two of the best in this division.

Like it or not.

The Predator success story could not have happened to a more deserving fan and volunteer base. I know many of them personally and they are top notch.

From the ashes of the old Port Hope Buzzards, they have risen from laughing stock to powerhouses in the East Division.

It will be up to the ownership to ensure they stay an East contender.

I kind of hope they do so, with or without, Tim Clayden.

Wayjoy

There are many that have come on here and busted their chops at TC and that is because they don't know a thing about him. I for one am a big fan of TC.

I've had the pleasure of knowing Tim for the past couple of years and he is a good man, a great GM and an even greater family man. There are so many people that I listen to at arenas bust their chops at him. Those people don't sacrafice their time with family like Tim has. We all know from being on here that he resides in the Parry Sound area. When Tim decided that he was going on the bench this year it meant that at the very least 5 to 6 days a week he would have to live in the Port Hope area. I admire him for making that sacrafice alone.

I truely hope that Tim decides to stick it out one more year in Port Hope. If he decides to move on though to a team closer to his home then good for Tim. He has earned it and deserves it. At the end of the day if he is done in Port Hope his record speaks for itself. People will judge him on what they read in a paper or on a forum. They never took the time to know him. All Tim wants to do is what every other GM wants, JUST WIN !! Right !!

port hope will have trouble finding a GM as good as Tim if he decides to leave. he seems to have good scouts across canada that supply the predators with quality players. the 20 year old players he added late this year really let him and the team down.
i think port hope need to change their coach and they definitely can't make drumm GM.

Well said ,some changes need to be made ,The 20 yearolds did let them down ,off ice issues did also hamper things as well ,If they keep the core of this team and build with them "Miller " ECT ,The Preds will have a good team ,to contend top 3 again ,but is that good enough?????

Maybe the GM thinks it is time to get out of Dodge with the Ajax similarities.

You are good when you build a team with no money. Look at some teams now and before. PB in Bow had money, PH no money still PH did a great job in Bow. Look at Durham, Huntsville when they came back in the league, Stoufvile,Collingwood and many more. TC always had money from the owners to BUY players. Lets see how well he does with no money.Many other good GMs out there that do not have the support of the owners like TC. Get out before the Ajax show get to you TC.

TC is a great man and friend like many have mentioned. It would be great if he went back to the Parry Sound area, a place where he coached many great teams. If only Seguin got rid of a few people who have absolutely no idea how to run a hockey team.

What ever Coach Clayden decides to do, you know he will put all of his heart and soul into it. He is one to never say woe in the middle of a horse race.

Good luck coach and see you on the bay.

ps - real men wear black

Yes it would be great to see "Coach Clayden" on the bench in Parry Sound. He has done all he can do with Port Hope, may be the town would return to supporting the team,he has thrown accusations at some billet families (where would they be without them), and as the saying goes "Don't let the door hit you in the A$$ on your way out. Bring on Spring Training Camp!! Good Luck TC where ever you end up.

Hockeymom, please clarify your comments about TC and billet families.

Don't worry about it orrforlife ! That's what some people are like, they feed off what they hear or are told. TC is a good man, who wears his heart on his sleave.

thanks. TC is a great hockey man, friend and family man. Can't wait to see him on the bay.

You seem to be terribly protective of TC .

It might be best to take a direct approach instead of circumventing it on this forum.

If you really want to know what might have happened, I would suggest the first place you start is to ask both TC and hockeymom what happened personally.

While you might not know hockeymom , it would be easy to find out who it is. Just ask the Predators' fans. They will be only too happy to tell you who it is.

As for TC , I guess you know who that is.

I think it best not to air the details here.





Wayjoy

That's kind of unfair Wayne.She made an accusation of some sort, not sure what it is about, but, when asked for clarification, you stopped the people from getting at answer. I think if she makes a public statement like that, she should be required to answer, or remove her post.Tim has done many good things in Port Hope.Where would we be without those 138 wins.

Just trying to "head it off at the pass" , Sabath . Though we may differ in view on this, I still value your friendship.

If there are any grounds for hockeymom 's grievances , I think the parties should work it out between themselves.

It serves no useful purpose to have all the details aired on this public forum.

Hockeymom is entitled to their opinion and in so doing, did not cross the line.

If Orr4life wants to pursue it, they are free to do so outside the forum. It also, is their right.



Wayjoy

Maybe you should have edited her message, to "head it off at the pass".Fair is fair Wayne.There are other people who you won't even mention their names here,but, a wild accusation, by an opponent of TC's you let it ride. And yes, i value your friendship and wisdom, in alot of things, but not this one.

Wayne,

Thanks for the advice and point well taken. I do know TC and he is great friend. I did do some investigating and research as you advised. I won't air moms dirty laundry but offer these words of wisdom to her, "if you live in a glass house, you shouldn't throw stones".

what she is talking about was posted on the forum already a month or two ago

I only remember something about the Bruins billets. A billet wrote a letter to their local paper about the Bruins organization.

I don't remember anything about Port Hope and their billets.

tc is bad for this league. he feels that the rules dont apply to him. the preds will only succeed with new direction and drumm sure is not it.

TC is returning so lets leave this alone...

scout, why do you say he is bad for the league. Is he doing anything different then everybody else? I think not. The only thing he is trying to do is win a championship like everybody else. Unfortunately, the players who were brought in this year to put Port Hope over the top did not come through. So be it. I know TC thinks highly of the Preds organization and owners and if he does decide to go back, you can be rest assured, he will be coming fully armed and prepared. TC does not take losing lightly.

Anyhow scout maybe you are a disgruntled member of the hockey world who just did not make the cut as a player or staff member. I don't know and I care to know.I wish you well in your scouting mission, but I would lose the omha in your name, as they probably don't take kindly to someone impersonating omha members.

As far as losing OMHA I agree.I also agree with Scout, TC is not good for this league and ask Cob. owners about Mr. Drum.

I truly find some people on this forum incredible !! or should I say UN-CREDIBLE !!This guy isn't good for the leauge, ask owners about this guy..... I've said it before and I will say it again. TC is a great person, Brian Drumm is a great person.... What is it with some people on this forum, just incredible !!

I don't know any of the people involved but I thought Port Hope really pulled it together toward the end of the season even threatening to finish in the top two. I'll leave the personal comments to those in the know but from an outside perspective the organization had a successful 07-08 season.

Tim Clayden has been successful in P.H. b/c of $$$$. Anyone in the know realizes he buys teams & that doesn't translate to Championships. The Preds have had good regular seasons but limited success in the playoffs b/c of the fact P.H. doesn't have good teams, they have good players. The successful teams play a team game/system, and they are not looking for individual goals, successes. Tim Clayden will have good regular season teams when he has the owners $$ to do what he wants.