Rangers Seek Legal Advice Regarding Notre Dame's Head Coaches Comments
March 13, 2009 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release
The Kitchener Rangers have confirmed it has held initial discussions with its legal advisors regarding what Chief Operating Officer, Steve Bienkowski described as "libelous comments" made by Jeff Jackson, the Head Coach of the University of Notre Dame's Men's Hockey team.
"Mr. Jackson's comments are more than disappointing; they attack the integrity of our organization and the talented individuals that either have or currently work for us. Although our past practice has been to focus on operating a respectful and well run organization and ignore people like Mr. Jackson, a point in time comes when you have to stop just taking punches. Mr. Jackson's statements about our dealings with the Fowler family and financial package are not only untrue, it clearly indicates his ignorance of the happenings that occurred in attempting to have Cam Fowler join our organization after we drafted him in 2007.
Although Perry Fowler attempted to clarify his dealings with the Kitchener Rangers, we wish to expand on his comments. What was not disclosed was the specific limited interaction that actually took place between the Fowler family and the Kitchener Rangers. Perry Fowler was contacted by us for the first time on the day of the draft. He indicated at this time that his son's plans were to attend the US NDTP and ultimately play in the NCAA. Despite this he was willing to visit with us as a courtesy. He subsequently changed his mind and cancelled the meeting.
There were no subsequent meetings with Perry Fowler. It is unfortunate that a player is subject to this type of unfounded assertions because he selects an option that he determines best for himself by continuing his hockey and academic training in the OHL rather than the NCAA.
Only Mr. Jackson can confirm his motivation for his comments directed at our organization. That said, it is very clear to me that his comments have caused damage to both our team and the entire OHL. He has provided untrue information about both Cam Fowler and his family along with the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club that will likely lead to disappointment for some potential players and their families when they find out that what we offer is a combination of world class training and development along with the opportunity to receive a guaranteed scholarship and not the implied pot of gold in their locker that he claims is there for the taking."
The University of Notre Dame and Mr. Jackson will be contacted and future litigation may ensue.
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