Devil in the Details

Only one man knows why Claude Julien was fired as head coach of the New Jersey Devils.

And Lou Lamoriello ain't sayin'.

So when you hear and read these fictionalized accounts of how Lamoriello went to his veteran players, asked them if they felt they could win, and then canned Julien upon hearing a negative response, understand that it's all made-up stuff.

Anybody who has the least familiarity with Lamoriello's modus operandi would understand he never, ever would ask the players their opinion.

He treats them like gold, makes sure every need is taken care of and goes out of his way to minimize all problems and distractions.

Otherwise, they get their marching orders and are expected to do their jobs. Their input is not sought.

For better or worse, it's no democracy in Jersey.

When it comes to coaches, Lamoriello understands that the supply of qualified bench bosses far exceeds the demand. Moreover, who's to say that a team can't have more than one coach in a season? It's a draining job, and given that the saying in hockey is that the playoffs represent a brand new season, is having a new coach for that second season really that crazy?

The speculation will quickly turn to who will succeed Lamoriello after this season, and it will likely centre around two men: John MacLean and Pat Burns.

Burns, it's believed, wants to get back into coaching after fighting a marvellously brave fight against cancer. If he's up to the job, Lamoriello might well want to bring back the man who won the Cup in '03.

MacLean, meanwhile, did most of the hands-on coaching when Lamoriello took over for Larry Robinson last season, and the same will be the case this time around.

By next fall, MacLean should have served his apprenticeship.

Which brings us to the latest Tie Domi controversy. . .

Both Domi and the coach of his son's minor hockey team, a gentleman named Lucas Miller, have their versions of what happened last Friday in an altercation between the two men. Not surprisingly, while other media outlets simply bought Domi's bland denials that he verbally attacked Miller, The Star's outstanding minor hockey writer Lois Kalchmann dug a little deeper and found Miller's point-of-view to be quite different.

One doubts whether the GTHL really has the onions to ban Domi from its arenas if the allegations are proven true.

But anyone who dealt with Domi on a regular basis throughout his NHL career, particularly anyone in the media, does not find this latest story hard to believe.

While Domi could be friendly and kind, there's a long list of writers and broadcasters who could testify to have been cursed at and chewed out by Domi over the years, even over the most trivial of stories.

The verbal onslaught would always be loud and profanity-laced, and always carried out in front of as large a crowd as possible so Domi could look intimidating and aggressive in front of his peers.

He was never one to quietly discuss a disagreement in private.

If Miller's accusations are true, Domi is the worst kind of hockey parent, and don't be surprised if more stories surface in the next few days about his arena behavior.

And don't forget, these are 10-year-olds we're talking about.

It will also be interesting to see how his pal Don Cherry, who likes to speak on behalf of hockey parents across the land, handles this one.

Probably pretends it never happens. Or blames the coach.

Well bravo to Lucas Miller for standing up to the bully. One wonders, meanwhile, how much of a political liablity Domi will be for his gal pal Belinda Stronach in the federal election, which is expected to be called soon.

From the municipal computer scandal to a messy and very public divorce to these allegations of rink rage, Domi sure isn't manufacturing a very positive public profile for himself these days after years of building up large amounts of public equity as a very popular member of the Leafs.

Comments

[Roberto]

Tie Domi is an anagram for Me Idiot. Enough said.

He was a 4th liner who acted like he was a real hockey player. He was not and he is now trying to live his life outside hockey like he did on the ice. Guess what Tie, anywhere else but the ice bullying gets you in court. Welcome to the real world.

Good riddance to the guy from the Leafs. I would rather have John Pohl as my 4th liner anytime, and let Belak handle the rough stuff when required. See ya.

[FlamFlim]

Tie Domi is a moronic meat-head. And no, the GTHL won't have the onions to ban this walking time bomb from its rinks. Likely for the same reason the other media outlets Damien refers to gloss over the ugly truth and try to make Domi out to be a good guy.

Insofar as the Belinda Stronach connection goes, well you get what you vote for. Glad I don't live in her riding.

[Steve Barnett]

I guess it was just a matter of time before we saw the real Tie Domi..the self-centered me first aggressor who shoots off his yap and thinks he can brush it off due to his alledged celebrity.
And do not for a minute think that John Gardner is even thinking of imposing any kind of penalty (ironic, No?)on Domi. You cannot say he will be treated like any other parent and then do the exact opposite. If it was you or me, Gardner would be reciting from the rule book- verbatim. He does not want to be drawn into this at all. It would seem the talk that Domi was a problem in the Leaf room is becoming closer to truth than fiction. He thinks he is above everyone and everything. And I am sure the dudes at Sportsnet are impressed with thier apprentice analyst and his latest indiscrestion.His smug answers and the smile that says "I am better than you" are becoming tired. Belinda must be so proud. 2 spoiled, miguided peas in a pod. The real problem here is his poor kid who has to be tossed in the center of a juvenille, selfish and typical hockey parent rant about ice time. And dont give me the line its not about ice time. As a former president of a minor league and a coach I can assure you, it is ALWAYS about ice time. Nice to see Tie is passing on his sense of entitlement to his son and the other kids on the team.
Tie, do us all a favour and shut up, go away and do whatever it is you do. To drag your kid into a story like this says all we need to know about you no matter how carefully constructed your image may have been previously been. How would you like to be Max's lacrosse coach this year? Your times up Tie, like it or not. His true colors are shining bright.

[Sanj]

It's hard to comment on the firing of Claude Julien since the reason of his firing hasn't been made public. And it seems that no one is really questioning Lou since he is supposedly the smartest man in hockey. But if I were Claude, I might consider getting a lawyer and start looking into a wrongful dismissal case. What has Claude failed to deliver to the Devils that warranted a firing? Isn't it time that coaches should stop being treated like garbage anymore? At least Lou should be forced to explain his reasonings for firing Julien. Of course that won't happen.

In New Jersey, it's Lou's world, you are just part of it.

[Steve Neate]

I used to respect Domi, but as Cox eluded to, he isnt helping his image very well in the recent past. I have no respect for the GHTL President who allows parents such as Domi to conduct themselves in such a disgraceful manner. What an arse. Good for the coach to stand up for himself. Domi has no respect and therefore why respect him. Maybe he should talk to his good buddies Gilmour and Clark who actually did something in Toronto and have the class and respect as hockey players and dads.

[Jim Maron]

I used to be a little impressed by Domi because he fought men so much larger than himself. But his cowardly attacks on Samuelson and Niedermeyer seem to fit with the picture you and the minor hockey coach have painted. He appears to be nothing more than a bully and a thug.

As for Belinda and Tie - doesn't Domi kind of remind you of a junior Frank Stronach? And my word that women is going downhill in her partners - Clinton, Decorated Gold Medal Winner, former leader of Conservative party, to hockey thug. Kind of slumming isn't she?

[A Toronto Hockey Ref]

I have never met Mr. Domi, but I know the Miller family. I'd be suspicious about anything that Lucas Miller would say, considering that his father, Peter Miller was quite the rink character. There are probably three sides to this story, Domi's, Miller's, and the truth. We'll never know what actually caused this situation to take place but I won't heap all the blame on Domi just yet.

[Jeff]

More stories should come out about Domi, so people know the person he really is. He's a little punk who screams loud so he looks big. And I concur with you Damien, bravo to Lucas Miller and Domi's ex wife for standing up to him and showing him that he's not so tough in the real world where you can't hit anyone you want and fight anytime you want.

[Jim Boyd]

If it walks like a goon, if it talks like a goon,,,,,,,,,,,it's a Domi.

Why any sports network would have this lowlife propped up in a studio chair invading our living rooms is a total mystery to me.

But for Dummi, it's always been who he knows, not what he knows.

[Don Bennett]

Thanks for pointing out what non-biased (Leaf Fans)hockey supporters have seen for the past number of years. I have no respect for Tie Domi and the league should (if found out to be accurate) ban him to set an example in a ery public way that this action can not be tolerated.

[Michael Ganley]

I, too, would like to throw my support behind Miller. If Domi's behaviour is not enough to warrant sanction from MTHL, what is? I often think about coaching hockey, especially when my son gets a little older, but man, what a disincentive Domi is.
As an aside, I love how TSN's website is absolutely not touching this story. Real hard-hitting journalism being done by Toronto's sports network.

[Peter Korderas]

Let's get real for a minute folks. Unless you were there and witnessed first-hand what happened, how can you assume that Miller is telling the truth and Domi is lying? Based on what? I'm not defending Domi, I'm just saying that he shouldn't be judged in the media based on second or third-hand accounts of what might have transpired that day. But if he did rant at the coach, shame on him! Shame on any parent that acts that way! In general, parents should act only as cheerleaders for their own kids and for their kids' teams. It's about support, not self-indulgent tantrums. Cheerleading is the ONLY proper vocal role parents ought to have at minor hockey league games. But having had a son in AAA hockey for a number of years, I can tell you from experience that many, many parents reveal the worst traits you can imagine when they go to games. Is it just a bad upbringing? Can't blame testosterone either because moms are every bit as obnoxious as dads. All I can say is, get some class and chill cause chances are your kid ain't making it to the NHL and those AAA minor hockey years could be all the high calibre hockey he will ever have - so just enjoy it.

[AlanTdot]

Everyone is circling the wagons around Domi.

These are the same people who cheered him when he dropped the gloves at center ice as a Leaf.

Seems like the chickens have come home to roost.

[Brett Vancise]

I think Tie should concentrate on his analyst skills a little more. I thought the fighting issue would be a time for him to break out and put down some decent points and arguments on TSN. Instead, "win, lose or tie" has been an embarrassing segment on the TSN broadcasts. All i see is an undereducated cast away goon stumbling over his own words. pathetic.

[Marc]

"Gardner says he won't hold Domi to a higher standard than any other parent and that the issue is closed unless the team asks him to pursue it further"---uh...as I read this, Mr Gardner take on this is it's okay to verbally assault a coach...no? I haven't heard Mr. Gardner say the alleged incident didn't happen, only that he would not be banning Mr. Domi. What is the truth here? Were their witnesses to this incident? Why hasn't anyone stepped forward to back the coach, or Mr. Domi's version of the events. In anycase, to me, the saddest part of the entire story seems to be, that in the end, minor hockey coaches have just found out that nobody in a league capacity has their backs.

[Dennis Regan]

Roberto, FlamFlim, for example said everything for me.
Domi proved himself to be a goon (never a hockey player), and to do this, he merely acted himself.
Does it well now in your local kid's hockey rink!
A goon is a goon, nothing else (bullies in school though).
Can we get these yoyos out of our hockey system? Let the tough guys (Roberts etc.) handle themselves.
Let the goons do it on the streets where they can be arrested!

[wayne rand]

Had a kid play one year of junior A here in the Soo, quite the player & the dad was really something as well. Always interested in the other kids on the hockey team, a real genuine hockey parent. People even wanted his autograph & he'd blush & be obliging. Is there a hockey parent on the planet that doesn't know who I'm talking about? Something for Domi to think about, not that he could ever reach this level of class!

[Shannon Ferguson]

I feel sorry for the coach. In the other Star article, one of the minor hockey officials said, "Lucas may not be the best coach in the world, but he doesn't deserve that treatment." I'm paraphrasing, but after a comment like that "not the best coach in the world" who the HECK would want to coach? I'm assuming these people are volunteers. Why bother? There is no appreciation for the people who do this extra work. I should know. I work at a high school and see the same treatment of volunteer coaches there as well. I've seen volunteer refs chased out of the games they love, too. If you're a coach, why are you doing it? Don't let anyone pull at your heart strings and say, "But what about the kids?" They're not saying that when they're screaming at you, are they? Maybe Me Idiot should coach the bloody team...he's not doing anything else now.

[Jeff B]

Tie Domi's actions speak for themselves. . . . Now he is threatening to sue the coach for slander and defamation. I believe the coach and it now looks like the league and team are going to take action against him. Good riddance. I hope TSN drops him as well as his show sucks, he has as much personality as a 2 x 4.

[Craig Jenson]

What about the 10 year-old kids who have to hear this crap??? Curious, if Domi sues, is he going to ask his son to lie for him? Gardener is just kissing ass so he can be friends with Domi and the NHL'ers who support him. Pucker up.

No way he treated Domi like an everyday rinkrage rat.

[Andrea A.]

You are making Lucas Miller look like a saint. Is he? He certainly is not a volunteer. I find it very concerning that we are so concerned about a coach(an adult) being berated and the profanity being used on him by another adult. Maybe we should be more concerned with the berating and profanity used on these young men(the players) infront of their team mates by their coaches. I have witnessed some pretty discusting behaviour towards players from their coaches and absolutely nothing is done about it. If a parent should show concern for the treatment of their child then they are accused of being a ridiculous hockey parent and how can they question the coach on their behaviour. When you try to protect your child he ususally will pay the price, as the coach has the control and your child will sit on a bench.Please before you accuse Domi and all the other parents for questioning their son's coaches about how they coached, Ice time etc. take a good look at these coaches who think they are coaching in the NHL and are being paid very good money to coach these GTHL teams. I do not feel that anyone has the right to belittle or berate any person especially young children and I can't say what Domi did was acceptable but there are two sides to this story. Take a good look at the coaches before accusing parents of being unjustified in their behavior.
Realize there are several kids in hockey who are not happy playing for a certain coach and their parents have not acted out but would just like to have their child released from that team so they can play elsewhere and coaches, organizations and the gthl will not release them but will instead force them to sit on a bench. It's all about the kids right! Take a good look and investigate these so called volunteer coaches and you will find out that more are paid than volunteer at the AAA level. I know of one team that in fact pays their coaching staff $90,000.00. Who pays that bill? usually it's a couple of parents. I wonder if thoses parents have any problems with the coaching and their child's ice time. I doubt it. Now those are ridiculous hockey parents.

[David Evans]

What a sad story. Tie Domi will never be recognized for any pure hockey abilitiy. He just didn't have it. Sadly and of much greater consequence for his son, it appears he doesn't have it as a parent either.

[amy greenberg]

I have always been a fan of Tie Domi's on the ice. It is no coincidence that I named my son Ty. That being said, my son has had the privilege of being a student of Lucas Miller for the past year. I don't know Tie Domi personally, but, as someone who does know Lucas Miller, I can say that this is a man that you would want to have working with your children. His class and expertise far exceed expectations. Domi was loved for being an "inforcer" on the ice. Someone might want to let him know that he retired.

[chris]

Yes there's two sides to every story. But from Damien Cox's comments above, I'd say Lucas Miller's story would be the more credible one.

Tie Domi's success had nothing to do with actual hockey ability and everything to do with politics, self-promotion and intimidation, both on and off the ice. He wormed his way into every high profile situation, both inside and out of hockey, in order to make himself look important. He loved being a Toronto Maple Leaf because he knew that playing in a large, strong media and hockey market in front of a rabid audience that loves the rough house tactics that he is only known for would get him the type of adoration and attention most hockey players, many of whom have far more hockey ability and desire than Domi ever had, would never get.

Suck up to Domi, the way the likes of Michael Landsberg and Rosie DiManno have done, and you are his best friend. Criticize him, like Damien Cox has done from time to time, or just cross him even unknowingly like Lucas Miller, and you need to watch your back from this narcissistic, borderline sociopathic, psycho.

The fact that there are a lot of people in hockey that would praise this goon for his ill mannered behavior just goes to show you why the game of hockey is looked upon as a punchline outside of Canada.