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Friday, June 20, 2008
Draft party ramblings
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There was little doubt where Dan Schweickert stood Friday. On his head, he wore a Thrashers cap. His shirt celebrated the Chicago Wolves 2002 Calder Cup championship. And he came all the way from Cartersville to be at the Thrashers draft party at Philips Arena.
His wife, Juli, was there, too. Of course, she said. After all, she has missed only three home games in franchise history.
Needless to say, judging by his shirt, Dan approved of the hiring of Chicago Wolves coach John Anderson as coach of the Thrashers. “I like the way they play,” Dan said of the Wolves. “It’s going to be interesting to see if he can get these guys [at Philips] to play a north-south game.” The Thrashers, he said, have had a tendency to back up. “His guys don’t back up,” Dan said.
“I’m just glad we finally have a coach,” Juli said.
“Hopefully, he’ll turn things around,” said Barry Silsbee of Conyers. “He knows some of the younger players, and he knows how to work with young players.”
“I like his history. I like the fact he’s been a winner everywhere he’s been,” Chris Bennett of Atlanta said. “It’s going to do nothing but help our chances of being a winner.”
Bennett is going to do his part, too. Last season, he wore a mask of Halloween movies character Michael Myers to the games, and he had it on his head on Friday, too. But considering the Thrashers’ 2007-08 record, it’s time for a change.
“This season, it’s going to be a Mexican wrestling mask,” Bennett said.
The party is long over, but I’m still at Philips, watching the draft and waiting, waiting, waiting for pick No. 29. George Henry from the AP is sitting next to me.
Be on the lookout in Sunday’s paper (or Saturday evening online) for a story about John Anderson. I think it will be worth your while, because he’s an interesting guy. If the Thrashers ever make this No. 29 pick and I get some sleep tonight, the story ought to tell itself when I sit down at the keyboard tomorrow.
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It’s official
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m glad this one didn’t drag out any longer. John Anderson is officially the Thrashers’ new coach.
He’s meeting with the media by teleconference at 3 p.m. and in person in Ottawa at 5:30. I’m sure he’ll be doing a big appearance on Versus tonight during the draft coverage. I’ll let you know if the Thrashers tell me about any other plans relating to the draft party at Philips.
It’s a busy day for me, so I’ve got to run.
