Bruno, Big Stew and business too
The Bruno Campese era ended on Friday with the Prince Albert Raiders’ confirmation of his decision to leave the organization rather than accept the offer from President Dale McFee and the board to stay for at least one more season.
The 52-year-old was with the Raiders for eight seasons, taking over as general manager partly through his first campaign. His tenure was eventful on both sides of the spectrum of positivity and negativity. There were the Cole Cheveldave trade and hiring of Cory Clouston at the wrong end. Moves like landing Leon Draisaitl, as well as many good trades like the Craig Leverton, Jordan Tkatch and Dakota Conroy deals were on the right side. (Conroy was acquired for a seventh-round pick, became a 30-goal scorer but also quit after last season’s overage deadline). The team’s ability to find good free agents under Campese was another highlight, none better than MacKenze Stewart (more on big Mac later).
The biggest challenge for Bruno’s successor will matching his business acumen. The only reason the Raiders will turn a small profit for 2014-15, a season that saw declining attendance without playoff revenue, is Campese’s relentless and constant line-by-line review of the budget. The second-biggest challenge will be matching Campese’s work ethic. He is as close to a 24-7,365 days-a-year worker I’ve ever met. Bruno also deserves credit for many off-ice improvements in support services like billeting.
I agree it is time for someone new. It’s also time for the Campese detractors, those who said they wouldn’t renew their tickets or come back to the rink until there was a new general manager, to ante up to the ticket wicket as early-bird season’s tickets remain on sale until the end of the month.