Fritzler named Cubs president

Justin Seward

Commentator/Courier

Etzikom area farmer Richard Fritzler was only intending on being a board member for the Medicine Hat Cubs junior B hockey team for this upcoming season but that plan changed after the July meeting.
He was initially asked back in June by long time director Blake Foster to come to the hockey club’s annual meeting.
“I went to the annual meeting and got nominated and was elected as a director,” he said.
“I loved to be involved and I really thought I would be sitting on the board but not as chairmen.”
When the July 24 meeting rolled around, “Wow,” was Fritzler reaction because the new president , David Kowalchuk, had vacated the position after less than two weeks on the job because the board’s feeling was that he was going to be doing too much for the team because he wanted to add the general manager duties to his title.
Kowalchuk was named general manager and director of hockey operations.
Fritzler is no stranger to the hockey circles in the Bow Island and Foremost area, having coached between both communities for 15 years, but now knows as president of this Cubs team, who struggled the past couple of season, there is a challenge ahead.
“I always loved hockey,” he said.
“There’s quite challenge ahead. But I do have as I see it a very good board. I think there is positive things for the Cubs. I seen some things that weren’t quite right and we’re in the midst of straightening that all out.”
He hopes to keep the board involved and together, while being up front and honest with the general manager and coaches.
“I’m not so scared to pick the phone up and phone somebody and pick their brain,” said Fritzler.
“I will hold nothing back from the board. I will chair the meetings and any decisions made will be a motion made by the board. That’s the way I ran one (agriculture) board and it lasted 25 years.”
Ted Breznik was named vice president, Blake Foster was named assistant general manager, Joanne Stahl will be the new treasurer, secretary will be Bob will, while other directors will include Wayne Peters, Justin Crawford and Jason Babcock.
Medicine Hat Cubs training camp begins on Sept. 7 at the Kinplex.