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Saginaw Spirit introduce Dave Drinkill as new general manager

MiHockey Staff

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By @MichaelCaples –

Today, the Saginaw Spirit announced big new for their front office.

The OHL club introduced Dave Drinkill as the team’s new general manager. Drinkill, who most recently served as the assistant GM of the Barrie Colts, replaces Jim Paliafito, who is now the director of player evaluation for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I’m extremely excited to be named the General Manager of the Saginaw Spirit,” said Drinkill via the OHL’s official site.
“Saginaw is such a respected organization throughout the entire OHL and it’s an honor to be a part of it. I want to thank Mr. Garber and Mr. Goslin for giving me the opportunity to help guide this team to both a Robertson Cup and Memorial Cup Championship.  I also would like to thank Howie Campbell, Jason Ford, Dale Hawerchuk and the entire Barrie Colts organization for everything they have done for me and my career. I will always have fond memories and cherish the friendships I made in my many years there. With that being said I’m looking forward to getting things started with the Spirit and starting the next chapter of my life. Mr. Paliafito has left this team in very good shape, and it’s my job to ensure that we keep heading in the right direction. We have a great coaching and support staff in place, and the pieces are all here for us to be successful for years to come.”

 


 
Drinkill has spent the last nine years with the Colts, working with the team’s communications, statistics, and as a video coach before assuming the role of assistant GM in 2011.

Team president Craig Goslin had praise both for his former GM and his new one.

“On behalf of Dick Garber, we would like to recognize and acknowledge the good work that former Spirit General Manager Jim Paliafito has done to put the Saginaw Spirit hockey operations in a very good position to compete for championships in the next few seasons. We have a talented, deep roster and a draft grid that is full of picks all the way out to 2020. We would also like to thank Howie Campbell, Jason Ford, and the entire Barrie Colts organization for their support during our search process.

To follow up Jim Paliafito, as we interviewed the various well qualified GM candidates, we felt that it was imperative that our next General Manager possess passion and a strong knowledge of the Ontario Hockey League and its players, had deep roots in the league, and a strong work ethic which Dave has demonstrated.”