Webber to Be New EHEC Deputy Commissioner

[Virtual Jarmo]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PAT WEBBER TO BE APPOINTED AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
CHANGE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

(Cleveland, OH - June 11, 2013) - Pat Webber, current General Manager of the New York Rangers, has been appointed the new Deputy Commissioner of Eastside's Hockey Elite Collide following a brief series of negotiations with Commissioner Adam Burke. Webber will assume part-time simulation duties, act as part of the Trade Committee, and serve as Burke's right-hand man. The change will take effect immediately.

Along with his administrative duties, Webber will continue to manage the New York Rangers. Webber, (age withheld), has been a member of EHEC since the league's inception in 2009 and has been an integral part of the league's development and growth.

A press conference is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET during which Burke and Webber will be on hand to field questions and also discuss their plans for EHEC going forward.

Eastside's Hockey Elite Collide is an Eastside Hockey Manager simulation league that has been active since the start of the 2009-10 season and is entering its fifth season in existence. Co-started by Adam Burke and Ryan Spurrell, the league combines the realism of the NHL with all of the fun of managing a fantasy hockey team. The league headquarters are in Cleveland, OH.

[Femur]

. Webber, (age withheld)

good choice, btw.

[Virtual Jarmo]

EHEC Spokesman: We would like to thank everybody for coming on short notice and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Penguins on their Stanley Cup win and the Flames on a tremendous season and a really incredible job navigating through the difficult Western Conference playoffs.

Without further adieu, I'd like to introduce EHEC Commissioner Adam Burke.

Commissioner Burke: Thank you. I'd also like to personally applaud Matt Bernier and Julien Rozon for the jobs they did this season. Also, congratulations to Brad Evans and Glen Ramsden for making the final four.

We're here today to introduce a face that's very familiar, but a well-respected person in our league and a man who I think is a great fit to help me carry on the standard that we've set in EHEC. It's a standard that is unrivaled in simulation hockey history and one that we intend to continue to improve on in the future. This man to my right is a brilliant EHM mind with plenty of years of experience and was the most logical choice to add to my team.

Mr. Pat Webber, everybody!

Deputy Commissioner Webber: Just let me towel off here first...First, I'd like to thank you for asking me to be Deputy Commissioner, Adam. This is by far the best league I've ever been in, so whatever I can do to help things move along, I'm willing to try. I've really enjoyed my time as a general manager, and will continue to do so, but I'm excited for this new chapter in my EHEC career and think that we'll continue to do great things.

Simming will be a work in progress since I've never done it for a league before, but I feel confident in my understanding of the Rulebook and think that my relationships with the other GMs will be a big help to you, the other GMs, and the sustainability of the league.

Burke: Absolutely, Pat. I have no doubts about your ability and look forward to working with you in a much bigger capacity than the Commissioner/GM relationship.

With that, we'll open the floor up to questions.

Phil Atio: Phil Atio, Cleveland Post-Gazette. Why make the change to remove Kennish now?

Burke: Let me be clear. Kennish was not "removed". He was not fired. It was a mutual decision made in the best interest of the league. As a respected GM and a personal friend of mine, he will still be an adviser to myself and Pat as we move forward.

Buster Hyman: Buster Hyman, Chicago Tribune. Were any other candidates interviewed?

Burke: Not really. We're in the process of interviewing a third person to help with the business side of things, with finances and trade approvals. Things of that sort. But, as I said, Pat was the logical choice. His schedule and availability line up the best with mine and I think his personality is a good balance for me. I can be a bit of a hard ass and be rather combative. Pat has never really had a problem with anybody and that's beneficial.

Juan Tubang: Juan Tubang, Detroit Free Press. Have you guys discussed any plans for this offseason?

Burke: Right now, we're just in a transitional phase. We have some pending transactions sitting out there and we promise to get to them soon. I'm a big believer in efficiency, so we're trying to get everything in order before we start proposing changes.

Tubang: What about realignment?

Burke: There are pros and cons. We will outline them shortly. We also have to keep in mind that the real-life NHL schedule we follow will adjust based on realignment. So that becomes another consideration.

Webber: And if I could add here that we have to do a lot of file manipulation come playoff time to things in working order. That will be a consideration.

Rachel Tenshun: Rachel Tenshun, Los Angeles Times. Anything further on proposed changes to veterans?

Burke: I have not yet discussed it with Pat, but I am considering both leadership and consistency changes to older players. As we know, players tend to be more consistent and more vocal as they get older. We're running into a problem of younger, cheaper players taking spots of veterans before they're past their prime. Without a "bust" feature for drafts, we'll need to incentivize older players.

In closing, I just want to say that I will spend the next couple of weeks speaking with Pat and determining what, if any, changes we want to make for the 2014-15 season and we will keep everybody informed on our decisions. In the meantime, the draft class will be finishing up over the next week or so and we will begin drafting on June 22. It's not the date of the NHL Draft, but with my vacation planned for the first week of July, I'd like to be able to oversee as much of the draft as possible and be ready for the start of free agency when I return.

Thank you all for coming.

[SharksGM]

Can you really trust a 40 year old who goes by the name of 'Bub' with your fake online hockey???

ok yeah probably

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

Can you really trust a 40 year old who goes by the name of 'Bub' with your fake online hockey???

Hey, I can.

[Calgary.Flames]

Congrats on the promotion Bub. Looking forward to next season.

Thanks for the past work, Tommy. Now trade Huberdeau back to me.

[TorontoGM]

I've never simmed for a league either but I could learn if you guys need another simmer.

[Bruins_GM]

Congrats!