Leafs GM praises success of NL Growlers during St. John's visit

As the Newfoundland Growlers players took a morning skate at Mile One Centre on Wednesday, there was an important guest watching on from the upper levels.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubaslooked on carefully, examining the players he's been watching from afar this season.

The organization's boss was in town to watch the Growlers' playoff run, withGame 3 of the Kelly Cup semifinals beginningWednesday night.

"I don't know that you could have imagined it would play out any better," Dubas said of the Growlers' first season.

The Growlers are the ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team finished the season with the best record in its division, and has coasted into the third round of the playoffs.

The team is up 2-0 in its best-of-seven series with the Florida Everblades.

Clowe still valued member of Leafs club

Dubas said he's been following the team even throughout the Leafs' brief playoff run in the National Hockey League. He's been impressed by the way the Growlers have stuck to their gamedespite an ever-changing roster and a mid-season switch in head coaches.

"They play their style. They don't get away from it. They've kind of hammered home the organizational ethos we want in terms of our playing style."

The biggest change this season came when NewfoundlanderRyane Clowe stepped down as head coach to deal with post-concussion syndrome issues. He was replaced by assistant coach John Snowden.

Clowe was at the rink on Wednesday, and was seen having a chat with Dubas.

"We care a lot about Ryane," Dubas said."He's still a big member of our organization and will be as long as he wants. His health comes first and that's the most important thing for us. But he's a great person to have around."

Growing the fan base

When considering where to put the team, Dubas said it helped that St. John's has historically been kind to theblue-and-white.

"I don't know that there's any place in Canada that you go, aside from Toronto, where the Maple Leafs are as important and there's as much passion for them as in the St. John's area."

While ticket sales haven't matched the string of sellouts the St. John's Ice Caps saw during their time in the American Hockey League, Dubas said the fan base will only grow from here.

"I'm certain that it will get back to being sold out every game," he said.

Next season will kick off with the Toronto Maple Leafs holding one week of its training camp in St. John's, and playing an exhibition game at Mile One.

Dubas said the team is also planning to promote St. John's as the starting ground for the entire Leafs organization.

"We want to really start our players off in pro hockey [here]. Rather than just put them with the[AHL Toronto] Marlies right away, we want our players to start off here in St. John's."

Winning the league championship in your inaugural season can't hurt the bottom line either, Dubas said.

"If you win together as a group here, it only helps you moving forward and helps leave your stamp on the community."

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