Kurt Ritchie hired as new GM of the Hollywood Stars

Kurt Ritchie hired as new GM

of the Hollywood Stars

May 31, 2011

The Hollywood Stars have been tagged with the label of last year’s biggest underachievers, so when it came time to find a new coach and GM, the AFHL Commissioner wanted to hire a proven winner.

So it should come as no surprise the Commish tapped Kurt Ritchie as the team’s new bench boss.

“We are very, very pleased to have a guy who fits in this league for now and into the future,” Commissioner Anthony Furino said at a press conference Tuesday morning in Hollywood. “He understands the expectations, he welcomes the expectations.”

Ritchie replaces Mike Bassett as new coach and GM of the Stars. Furino contacted Kurt Ritchie several weeks ago, a few days after the Power beat the Heroes to win the Stanley Cup. He was interviewed for the job last Monday.

“This is a very special opportunity,” Ritchie said. “There are only 20 of these positions in the world and I feel very fortunate to be involved with one of the top organizations in the Amazing Fantasy Hockey League.”

Ritchie takes over a team that is loaded with star power, including forwards Martin St. Louis and Jarome Iginla, defenseman Chris Pronger, and goaltender Martin Brodeur. Ritchie said his job is to get the most out of the talent.

“It’s my job as a coach to push this team, push them hard, push them outside of their comfort zone,” Ritchie said. “But while I’m doing that, (it’s my job) to make sure they’re enjoying the process.”

After making it to the second round of the playoffs in 2009, the Stars were considered one of the top Stanley Cup contenders going into last season, but they failed to make the playoffs.

Ritchie said it’s natural for a team to stumble a little bit before making a breakthrough.

“I use the analogy of a marathon. A lot of people try to run it the first time and don’t quite make it. You have to go back and start again,” he said. “Without running Mile 1, Mile 13 and Mile 20, you never get to Mile 26.”