Storm denies report

2/2/2007

Storm general manager Pat Pylypuik has not resigned contrary to media reports aired on a radio station this morning.

Pylypuik, who was hired as the organization s vice president and general manager last March, said he does not know the source of the rumors. Radio station 1470 AM had reported that Pylypuik had tendered his resignation, but that owner Barry Soskin had not yet accepted it.

We have no idea where it came from. It must be a slow media day, Pylypuik said. I m happy. Our attendance is up about 6 percent and our sponsorship is up. I look forward to being with the team when it moves into the new building.

Soskin said he talks with Pylypuik on a daily basis and is happy with his performance. He said he trusts Pylypuik implicitly to run the financial aspects of his organization.

There s nothing to it, Soskin said. He s done an excellent job. He works his butt off. We sat at the game on Wednesday and talked over ticket prices and policies for next season.

Sports Ticket program director Norm Wamer says the station stands by its report and its discussion with Soskin.

Pylypuik, who was the first player the team ever signed, held the same position from 1995-2001. Pylypuik was a Storm defenseman for three years and led Toledo to its last championship in 1994. He was put in charge of sales last March.

In 1999, Pylypuik was named ECHL Marketing Director of the Year while serving as the Storm's GM.

Read more in later editions of The Blade and toledoblade.com .