Stars, Three West join forces

Trio part of reorganization

TRAVERSE CITY - The Traverse City North Stars are coming off the club's finest season on the ice in its three-year history, setting franchise marks for wins (23) and points (58), and closing out the 2007-08 campaign with an impressive 12-5-4 run.

This week, the North Stars dropped the puck on the 2008-09 season in earnest, announcing that Three West, a multidivisional Traverse City-based consulting firm, is joining forces with the club as part of a front office reorganization, with Rick Deneweth, Kevin Endres, and Stephanie Endres assuming business-side duties.

"This group brings tremendous business acumen to the team," said Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo, who will retain control of all hockey operations. "We're excited to have them on board, and think it's going to be a great addition to a program that has really started to build momentum on and off the ice."

Deneweth will assume the title of Director of Business Affairs, while Kevin Endres was named Director of operations and Marketing, and Stephanie Endres as Business Manager.

"We're basically bringing a variety of professional services to the front office, and hopefully this can provide an even greater experience for fans and sponsors," said Kevin Endres, who will spearhead the Stars' corporate relations. "We've got a great product here - the direction of the team is pretty exciting for everybody - and it's our job to boost the entertainment value, showcase the players' talent, and continue to establish and foster community support."

Deneweth, who holds degrees in business, accounting, law, and is a licensed commercial real estate broker and developer, says the business side and hockey side of the North Stars organization are distinct but symbiotic.

"We'll assist and support the hockey operations, but it's our job to come in and apply the solid business practices," Deneweth explained. "We'll build on that business model that benefits everyone - the fans, the sponsors, and still ensures that the team can continue to be a vital part of the community."

Kevin Endres says that the gamenight experience will get a bit of a facelift. That makeover began late last season when the team was issued a liquor license, and opened a pair of adult-only themed service areas: The scoreboard-end 'Polar Bear Club' and concourse-level 'Red Line Lounge.' Both areas will remain areas only for the 21-and-up set, but will feature improvements to the facilities, menu, and possibly new branding.

"We have some enhancements in mind - to the facility, to the arena area itself, and certainly some of the food and beverage options for Stars fans and also for our corporate partners," offered Endres. "All the elements are in place - a tremendous facility, a great general manager and coach, a talented team that really built some momentum, and a community with a proven track record of supporting hockey. It's our job to come in and provide a certain degree of cohesion to those elements."

Stars owner/president Steve Fournier expressed excitement about the addition of the Three West trio.

"It's a great fit," he said. "These are people we know, people with established relationships within the community, and I think it's just another positive step forward for the North Stars."

Palumbo and his charges will officially kick off the summer camp season next weekend, when the Stars' pre-draft try-out gets underway on Friday, May 9 at Centre ICE. More than 60 hopefuls will join forces with - and against - Stars returnees and tenders. The camp culminates with the All-Star game on Sunday, May 11 at 10 a.m. Admission is free to the general public.