Flames GM preaches patience
Treliving resists urge to make sweeping changes
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/10/2014 (4004 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
CALGARY — When Calgary Flames president of hockey operations Brian Burke picked him to be the club’s new GM in late April, Brad Treliving admitted there was a strong temptation to take the reins and start changing things.
“Yes, you want to get in and you want to get better,” Treliving said Thursday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. “From my standpoint, I’d say the biggest challenge for me is that when you come from the outside, well, I’ve got opinions on all these players but they’re all outside opinions.
“The challenge is having some patience to get to know these players from the inside, be around them every day and see what they’re all about.
“We know we have work to do. But before you start thinking you want to change the world overnight, you really have take stock and get a clear picture on what’s in-house.”
The Flames have had immense struggles in recent times, with five straight non-playoff years. Their 35-40-7 record a year ago was the best in Alberta but 13th-best in the 14-team Western Conference.
Treliving, 45, has had plenty of experience with lean times and trying circumstances, coming to the Flames after more than 10 years as the assistant GM with the Phoenix Coyotes.
Being around leadership and patience, Treliving said, was invaluable to him in his time with the Coyotes.
“I learned a lot from Don (Maloney, Coyotes GM) and Tipp (Dave Tippett, Coyotes coach),” Treliving said. “Probably the biggest thing, for a number of years in Phoenix there was a lot of chaos going on. Apart from the fact he’s a great evaluator of talent and finding some gems when others didn’t, it’s Don’s a steady hand on the wheel.
“There was a lot of noise going on for so many years, but he was that steady, calm guy. Same with Tipp. Patience, and being very clear in their thinking… don’t let emotions rule the day. Take a deep breath and a long walk before you do things.”
Now Treliving works for a different kind of boss — Burke.
“You’re right, the public perception is this gruff exterior,” Treliving said. “People that know him know he’s a very, very intelligent man, one of the smartest guys I’ve met.
“And not only about the game. He knows a lot of stuff and has got a huge heart.
“From a professional standpoint, it’s been unbelievable. In this job, it’s 24/7 that you’re thinking of different things. To be able to have that sounding board of a guy you can go to, where that next great idea you’re thinking of, he’s already done it twice.”
‘We know we have work to do. But before you start thinking you want to change the world overnight, you really have take stock and get a clear picture on what’s in-house’
— new Calgary GM Brad Treliving
Treliving said in his short time on the job, he’s come to appreciate the fraternity of GMs even more.
“I think I’ve got 29 new best friends who have lots of advice for me,” he joked. “A lot of the managers, over the years, I’ve dealt with and had relationships with. Coming in, it wasn’t like I didn’t know anybody. I would say guys have been great, absolutely fantastic. Great advice. The biggest thing is to go with what you believe, especially in a Canadian market, that I’m realizing now is different than Phoenix.
“I’ve been real appreciative of the guidance and support that group has given.”
And now, there is actually reason for debate on who’s more famous, him or his father Jim, the Manitoba-born entrepreneur who’s one of the stars of CBC’s Dragons’ Den.
“It depends where you are,” Brad laughed. “I had heard he was kind of a big deal up here (smiles). It’s funny, my two young girls, they’re still trying to figure it out. They see grandpa on TV and wonder what’s going on. They get a kick out of that. He’s supportive and excited. We don’t see each other a whole bunch; everybody’s schedule is busy, but definitely Dragons’ Den is on a little bit more in Calgary than Phoenix.”
tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca
