Scott Merryfield
Senior HTF Member
I know some people resent him for relocating the Hartford Whalers, but Karmanos's contributions to U.S. hockey go way beyond his ownership of an NHL team. He's been the driving force behind the Compuware youth hockey organization for almost 40 years, which is one of the top youth programs in the country. Some of the alumni from that program include Eric Lindros, Pat Lafontaine, Mike Modano, David Legwand, Al Iafrate, Kevin Hatcher, Derian Hatcher, Adam Graves, and James Wisniewski.Aaron Silverman said:That rat fink Karmanos belongs in the hall of SHAME.
Karmanos also brought Canadian major junior hockey to the U.S. for the first time in 1990, with the OHL expansion Detroit Compuware Ambassadors. This team would later be renamed the Detroit Junior Red Wings, and eventually become the current Plymouth Whalers.
He also owns the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. So, Karmanos is involved with the sport at all levels, from youth to major junior to professional minor league to the NHL.