Exodus musings

Published 11:39 am Tuesday, August 7, 2007

So, I come back from vacation to the news that yet another original member of the Silvertips organization is bidding farewell.

Keith Gerhart, the voice of the Tips since day one as the team’s radio play-by-play announcer, is moving to Indianapolis, where his wife Karen landed a teaching gig at one of the region’s leading high schools.

Gerhart was a fan favorite during his time in Everett. He did a good job of accurately describing the action, he provided the requisite amount of boosterism for the home team, and his distinctive “Book ‘em Danno” catchphrase will be missed.

Gerhart’s departure adds to a growing list of summer departures. Going into the summer Everett had the exact same lineup top to bottom within the organization — coaches, support staff, front office, etc. — as it had when the first puck dropped in 2003 (the only discontinuity was when general manager Doug Soetaert left in 2005, but he returned a year later). But Gerhart became the fifth member to leave this offseason, joining head coach Kevin Constantine, trainer Bob Hamre, director of ticketing Keith Armstrong and administrative assistant Mary Brown.

So why the mass exodus? Is this the indication of upheavel in the organization?

The short answer is “No.” None of those five left because of exasperation with the Tips. Constantine, Hamre, Armstrong and Brown all were presented with lucrative opportunities to advance their careers, while the Gerharts have long been eager to move back east and be closer to their families.

So don’t worry, the employees aren’t jumping ship. The real shock is that the entire group remained intact for as long as it did, given the stepping-stone nature of the WHL.

Now will there be some growing pains that accompany the transition? Probably. But most of the key people (Soetaert, director of player development Scott Scoville, director of business operations Zoran Rajcic) are still in place, and the coaching transition will be as smooth as possible with John Becanic’s promotion.

As long as the product on the ice retains its quality, the health of the franchise should be assured, regardless of worker turnover. And with the star power of Zach Hamill, Leland Irving and Kyle Beach virtually certain of playing in Everett this season, there shouldn’t be a significant dropoff in that area.