Kish Clearly Runs the Show in Tallahassee

Kish Clearly Runs the Show in Tallahassee Faceoff Magazine, 1999

By: Michael J. Bennett Larry Kish

In the world of professional sports, a person can be on top of the world one day and yesterday's news the next. Those that survive for the long haul do so through hard work, determination, a passion for the sport, good instincts, and a little luck. Few people possess the right combination of traits that can withstand the daily challenges that occur in the sports world.

Larry Kish has not only survived in the sports world, he has earned respect. His career in the sport of hockey spans some 35 years and throughout it all, Kish I has been able to stay one step ahead of the pack. This season, he begins a new chapter in his distinguished career. On June 4, 1999, Kish was hired as the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks new president and general manager. The hiring marks the fifth different GM in the team's six seasons. But if things had worked out, the Tiger Sharks GM position would have been filled by Kish from the start.

The team's interest in Kish dates back to 1994 when the Tiger Sharks first arrived in Tallahassee. Team co-owner David Elmore wanted a proven administrator to help start up a hockey franchise in a community that was strictly labeled a "football town". However, the timing wasn't right. As each season passed, the position turned into a revolving door and Kish was offered the job at least three other times. But again, the timing was not right. However, when the position became open again in the spring of 1999, Elmore and co-owner Donna Tuttle offered Kish the chance to have complete control of the organization. This time the timing was right and after a five year courtship, the Tiger Sharks had their man.

Kish feels that a successful organization is based on professionalism, which in turn leads to credibility and respect. "Any good organization is surrounded with a lot of good people," said Kish. "With me, my top priority is to make this extremely professional. I have a lot of rules. I want to put my own little stamp of professionalism, if you will, to this operation."

With his arrival in Tallahassee, Kish brings a wealth of experience and credibility to the Tiger Sharks organization that can't be matched in the East Coast Hockey League. A native of WeIland, Ontario, Kish's career in hockey began in Peterborough, Ontario in 1958 where he played for legendary NHL coach Scotty Bowman. From there, Kish went on to play three seasons at Providence College, earning the school's first All-American honors and a trip to the NCAA playoffs in 1964. Kish eventually hung up the skates and decided to turn his attention to coaching. He helped start the hockey program at Mount St. Charles Academy Prep School in Connecticut, building the program from scratch into a national power. He also spent time with teams in the Eastern, North American, and Southern Hockey Leagues.

In 1982, he was named The Hockey News Minor League Coach of the Year as head of the Hartford Whalers' AHL affiliate in Binghamton, N.Y. The following season, Kish moved up to coach the Whalers, posting a 12-32-5 record in 49 games with the NHL team. But despite a less than successful NHL coaching debut, Kish did not let the experience get the better of him. He would move on to serve as coach and general manager for the Edmonton Oilers' top affiliate in Nova Scotia. During that time, Kish helped develop several of the young players that would go on to aide the Oilers in winning three Stanley Cup Championships.

Kish has also played an instrumental role in the development of the ECHL. He helped relocate the Winston-Salem Thunderbirds to Wheeling, W. V. in 1992 and turn that franchise into an immediate success. Serving as the team's general manager and later vice-president until 1997, Wheeling went 202-108-30 during Kish's five year run and the team qualified for the playoffs each season. Kish even assumed the duties of coach for the 1995-96 season, leading the team to a second-round playoff spot. In 1996, owners of the Wheeling franchise bought the Raleigh IceCaps. As a result, Kish served as the vice-president for both organizations while adding the duties of GM over the IceCaps.

Current Tiger Sharks radio color analyst Cory Paterson played in Wheeling during Kish's tenure and remembers him for the way he treated his players. "Larry was always very professional," said Paterson. "He treated his players with respect and was very loyal to them. Even when a player had to be cut, Larry would work hard to find the guy a spot on another team. Not every general manager does that. But Larry would look after his players. He is very well liked and very well known." Paterson went on to note that Kish excells at another sport...golf. "He is an outstanding amateur golfer. I certainly wouldn't want to take him on in a match unless he gave me quite a few strokes."

In 1997, Kish relocated to Louisiana to head up the expansion New Orleans Brass franchise. He served as the team's vice-president and general manager for two seasons. Once again, Kish was able to acquire sevveral talented players that helped lead the Brass to two straight playoff appearances. In fact, since he's been in the ECHL, Kish has been able to get a team into the playoffs each season. Now, he hopes to work that same magic in Tallahassee.

One of the things that has kept Kish successful throughout his career is the ability to quickly evaluate a situation and make a solid decision. Shortly after his arrival in Tallahassee, Kish was forced to hire a new coach after Jeff Brubaker left the team for the vacant Greensboro Generals job. But it didn't take Kish long to realize the type of coach he needed to hire. Based upon conversations with people in the community, Kish clearly saw that there was a loyalty to coaches in Tallahassee who were successful, personable, and performed their job with class and respect.

Kish cited the community's feelings towards Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden and baseball coach Mike Martin in his decision to bring back Terry Christensen to once again lead the Tiger Sharks. Despite a last place finish during the 1997-98 season, Christensen had an overall successful four year stint as coach of the Tiger Sharks, leading Tallahassee to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons and earning the team's lone division championship in the 1996-97 season. Christensen was also well liked in the community for his personality and willingness to sell the game of hockey to the fans. Kish felt that bringing back Christensen would best fit the organization's overall plans this season.

With his extensive background and experience in the game, Kish has managed to develop deep relationships with both the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens organizations. As a result, affiliations with both clubs have followed him for the last 10 years. That means good news for the Tiger Sharks, who will see more NHL contract players on the roster this season than in any previous season. Christensen should most benefit from this, allowing him to focus more attention to on-ice coaching and less on player recruitment. Kish feels the key to the affiliations with Edmonton and Montreal is their tradition and pride. "Both organizations have winning allover them," said Kish. "Go to the record books. You've got over 30 Stanley Cups between the two teams. You've got tradition that is so deep in both companies. So, when you work for Edmonton and you work for Montreal they cannot accept losing. When the kids come to training camp they see it right away."

The Tiger Sharks are confident that their fortunes will turn around this season. After three straight playoff appearances, the tea,m has missed out the last two years. Tiger Sharks fans are also optimistic, hoping that this season will find the team playing for the Kelly Cup. But for Kish, he's hoping for a successful season both on and off the ice. "Every one of my teams have made the playoffs. Never had a team that's under .500 in this league. So, I'm confident about my on-ice performance. Now I have to weave into that the people that are going to get out there and send the message and redevelop the trust. That's the top priority over anything else."

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