Here was the most recent example of lying and bullying from the Vancouver Canucks PR guy. Please review it to refresh context if you’d like and we’ll see you back here.
Among the comments from readers after that story, “Holy crap Simmer, did you sleep with his wife?!” Ahhh, nope. Not even close. Nor did I run over his dog with my car. This is just who he is; unprofessional and vindictive. Just haven’t quite figured out where the vindictive comes from, other than to serve his competition-fearing cohorts and close buddies in the incestuous local media market.
Of course, the lying and bullying wasn’t enough. What’s worse is that Canucks PR guy Craig MacEwen spread those lies onward to the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA), apparently being thorough in his obsession with keeping this reporter out of the Rogers Arena press box.
This was the gem of an e-mail from then PHWA president Frank Seravalli in March of 2024, re-revoking my membership three-quarters of a way into a season.
“We did not grant you membership last season as a result of unprofessional conduct and threatening language. You felt that because you moved coverage to Seattle and clicked a registration link this season that meant that you would be welcomed back as a member this season in a new chapter. That was not the case. Our decision did not change. A card was printed and you were added to our web site by filling out that registration form. That was an oversight on our part. We refunded your registration fee when it was brought to our attention as a result of your email rants to NHL PR staffs claiming to be a member.”
In reality, the Seattle chapter chief Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times sent me an invitation to join, which I filled out. That’s standard and that’s how members are added. I then spoke to the board’s registrar and good friend, Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star, who mailed me my registration card. Hardly an oversight.
The e-mail, aside from being a season late, was comically inaccurate and seemingly deranged, simply in an effort to skirt any due process. I was once again never asked about or given an opportunity to review the specifics that don’t exist. In fact, that e-mail was the first time I ever heard any semblance of an accusation.
What it did do was bolster Seravalli’s relationship with the aforementioned local media and keep his regular guest appearances flowing.
Maybe the title of this story should be “Frank Seravalli Poisons the Writers Association”.
My subsequent e-mails to he and the association’s board, seeking clarification of the mythological “unprofessional conduct and threatening language”, went unanswered. No explanation. Zero. Zip. All a mystery. It remains that way.
Clearly that language came from the Canucks PR department. Despite being one of the NHL’s great poachers and self promoters, there’s no way Seravalli invented that crap. The cherry on top is the line “your e-mail rants to NHL PR staffs“. Gee, who would have known about that almost immediately.
Oddly, I did have one league PR person tell me they thought I was banned for complaining about being banned. I’m not sure that follows the basic concept of the time/space continuum.
Anything to keep Simmer out of that box. They couldn’t have me trying to attend games as visiting media or by aptly being named the chapter chief in Seattle. That latter distinction didn’t happen obviously, nor have I ever been allowed, as a fully credentialled beat writer who’s covered the Kraken for four seasons, to cover a road game in Vancouver.
Again, the association’s mission statement is “dedicated to preserving the rights and improving the access for members of the North American-based media who cover hockey.” Which I have done in five different decades.
Seravalli ignored that completely and chose his own self interest with no regard whatsoever for the truth. And yes, I did rant to the rest of the league’s PR persons, many of whom I know quite well, pointing out the injustice and lack of professionalism from the Canucks. Somebody had to do it.
Is that a crime?
Hope not, because I’ll be doing it again.
By the way, there was an eventual threat from me; a potential lawsuit for slander/libel. So what did Seravalli do? He took it upon himself to tell his successors, PWHA president Steven Whyno, who works for AP, and VP Mike Russo, who covers the Minnesota Wild, not to say anything, and to make sure to re-impose my ban. What a guy.
A four year sentence, and counting, from Canucks coverage — a move that bankrupted by Canadian media biz — and a year-and-a-half sentence from PHWA membership, all while conducting positive business as usual in a completely different market. Simply bizarre.
All due to dishonesty and a lack of ethics.
Unfortunately, that’s the world we live in.
****
{Editor’s Note: (Usually reserved for other’s stories, in this case I’m tagging myself). As a TV play-by-play man, ice level reporter, beat writer, national radio host, etc. etc., I’ve always treated all fans, staff, players, production cohorts, co-hosts, with the utmost respect, kindness and friendliness. Pick any 50 of the 1,400 contacts in my phone and ask them yourself.
I only complain about this issue once or twice a year. Why? I’m busy. I’ve lived about 17 great lives in one and still do, and I’ve got hundreds of friends around the globe. I’m busy learning new things and doing many other creative projects while still covering the league.
Then again, I’m a hockey man and always have been. The same resolve that’s earned me continuous joy and entertainment over the decades will continue as it relates to putting an end to this garbage.}
Earlier Canucks:
— Canucks Make All The Right Decisions In Hockey Op’s
Earlier Kraken:
— Do Seattle Kraken Youngsters Need More Tough Love?
(Proud to have Glenn Dreyfuss on board with his excellent Seattle Kraken and Torrent coverage)
Fun Video Option:
Covering the postseason gamut with Hockey Hall of Fame – Elmer Furgeson Award winner, an old school writer with integrity, Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe …
