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By Times staff
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 6, 2000
WILLIAM DAVIDSON
TITLE: Owner
AGE: 77
ROLE: As an owner, Davidson is the anti-Steinbrenner. The owner of Palace Sports & Entertainment is willing to spend money, though he needs justification before he opens the vault, and, here's the key, he doesn't meddle. He is not about to suggest power-play units to coach Steve Ludzik, nor will he tell GM Rick Dudley whom to trade. Davidson, worth $2.1-billion according to Forbes magazine -- which makes him the wealthiest person in Michigan -- hires sports people to do sports jobs and trusts their judgment. He lives in Auburn Hills, Mich., and often attends games of the Detroit Pistons, the NBA team he owns. He doesn't like to travel and is intensely private. He visited the Ice Palace only once last season, but is expected there tonight.
TITLE: CEO and Governor
AGE: 51
ROLE: Wilson handles the day-to-day operation of Davidson's empire. Although it is Davidson's money, Wilson, in a practical sense, is the owner of the Lightning. He was responsible for hiring Dudley and oversees franchise operations. Like Davidson, Wilson believes in surrounding himself with good people, then trusting them to do their jobs. He won't tell Dudley or Ludzik what to do, but if a GM or coaching change becomes necessary, Wilson will call the shots. As governor, Wilson represents the Lightning at league functions and votes on league matters.
TITLE: President
AGE: 44
ROLE: Campbell is responsible for the Lightning's day-to-day operations and was instrumental in Palace Sports & Entertainment's purchase of the team and Ice Palace lease. He must sign off on all player moves suggested by Dudley, but his main focus is on the team's business side and the arena. Campbell is more of a businessman than a sports guy. But he has experience with the Pistons and is deft at handling contracts and understanding collective bargaining agreements.
TITLE: General manager
AGE: 51
ROLE: Dudley is the Lightning's architect. He makes all personnel decisions, and is in charge of the product on the ice. If the Lightning fails, he is ultimately responsible. Dudley has done just about everything a man can do in hockey: He played six seasons in the NHL, he has been a coach and general manager in the NHL and in the minors and he remains a tireless scout. He has traveled the world looking for talent, especially in Europe. He has proven he is not afraid to make trades, but does not act recklessly. He has worked cautiously and smartly within a tight budget.
TITLE: Assistant general manager
AGE: 38
ROLE: Feaster is the great negotiator, taking care of all Lightning player contracts. He also is general manager Rick Dudley's right-hand man. When Dudley is scouting, Feaster has the wheel in Tampa. He gives input on all player moves. The only lawyer in the Lightning front office, it would be hard to find anyone with a more extensive knowledge of the rules and regulations of the NHL and NHL Players Association and how they interact. Grant Sonier, the general manager of the IHL's Detroit Vipers, the Lightning's main farm team, reports to Feaster.
TITLE: Head coach
AGE: 38
ROLE: After a seven-year NHL career, Ludzik turned his attention to coaching in 1993. In his first five years behind the bench, including three with the Davidson-owned Detroit Vipers of the International Hockey League, Ludzik never had a losing season. He coached the Vipers to the IHL finals twice, including the 1996-97 championship. Though his winning streak ended last season, Ludzik has not lost confidence. He said his goal each year is to increase his coaching prowess by 20 percent. Ludzik, extremely intense during games, uses an aggressive forechecking scheme and this season will stress defense even more. Known as a players' coach, Ludzik rarely points fingers through the media, and is well-liked by those who play for him.
TITLE: Scouting coordinator
AGE: 49
ROLE: Goertzen is in charge of the team's amateur scouting and runs the staff that handles the June draft. How good is Goertzen? Consider he has been with the Lightning since Day 1 and has survived three ownership groups. That is especially impressive with current Lightning management, which feels much more comfortable with people it knows. Dudley not only kept Goertzen on his scouting staff, he put him in charge. Until last season, Goertzen was the organization's Western Canada scout. He is based in Seattle.