Slim and None

by Howard Baldwin

  When we left Pittsburgh amid considerable controversy, I made up my mind I wasn’t going to talk to a single member of the media about the fact that I felt I was right in what I had or hadn’t done. I knew that for myself, and it was enough for me. I have respect for most members of the media. I have always been honest with them. But what they think about me and about what I have done is their issue, not mine.

  As I write these words, I think how extraordinarily lucky I am to be able to say that I have worked directly with the likes of such owners as Ed Snider, Bill Wirtz, Jeremy Jacobs, Phil Anschutz, John Bassett, Ben Hatskin and many others. I have had the honor of working with commissioners Ziegler and Bettman as well as other extraordinary hockey executives such as Jack Kelley, Emile Francis, Harry Neale, Ron Ryan, Larry Pleau, Colleen Howe, Craig Patrick, Scotty Bowman, Bill Dineen and others. Then when I think of the players who have played for me over the years — such as Gordie, Mark and Marty Howe, Ron Francis, Mario Lemieux, Dave Keon, Jaromir Jagr, Bobby Hull, Paul Coffey and anyone else who ever put on a Whalers or Penguins uniform during those years — I am humbled.

  In terms of partners in hockey, I couldn’t have asked for better ones: John Coburn, Bob Schmertz and the Hartford corporations, in particular the Aetna, led by Don Conrad. Then of course there is my partner, Tom Ruta, who has been with me in every deal I have ever done, and my San Jose/Minnesota/Pittsburgh partner, Morris Belzberg. I also feel fortunate to have been able to work with my son Howard Jr. as a partner during the Connecticut Whale experience.

  In film I have been blessed with some terrific partners as well, over my several decades as part of the creative community. My first film partner, Bill Minot, a dear friend who recently passed, gave me my introduction to film. Richard Cohen was my partner for 10 years on nothing more than a handshake deal, and he was a wonderful friend and partner to both Karen and me. I am pleased to have done a few film deals with Richard’s son Andy as well, continuing the legacy. Many of the films we did in our partnership with Phil Anschutz were nominated for awards, including the highlight, Ray, which was nominated for every single prestigious award that Hollywood has to offer, culminating in the two Academy Awards and the Golden Globe. Ray would never have been made if it weren’t for Phil Anschutz. He had the courage and commitment and passion to fund 100 per cent of its production. This is rarely, if ever, done in Hollywood. There are a lot of people who claim some of the success for Ray, and frankly, many deserve accolades, but at the top of the list should be Phil, and Stuart Benjamin, who shepherded the project for 13 years.

  We currently work with a third partner, Bill Immerman, who served with us in the Crusader years. In keeping with the six degrees of separation theme, we actually met Bill at a hockey game. Bill and his wife Ginger are major Kings fans, with seats near the player bench and the glass. During our film tenure we have also had the fun of hiring and working with young executives Todd Slater, who is the son of the late Terry Slater, who coached the WHA LA Sharks and the NCAA Champion Colgate hockey team, and Nick Morton, who is the stepson of John Picket, former owner of the New York Islanders. We hired Simon Fischler, son of the great hockey writer Stan Fischler and Shirley Fischler, who were also the first broadcasting team in the New England Whaler years.

  We have had the privilege of working with many film personalities over the years — actors, directors and writers. Many have become close friends. Several we have worked with more than once. To list them all would be impossible, as there are so many, but one just has to look at our résumé of films to see the talent we have had the opportunity to work with. We have also been blessed with good working relationships with the talent agencies in Hollywood, in particular with Jack Gilardi at ICM, with John Levin at CAA, and more recently with Sean Barclay at Gersh.

  From a legal representation standpoint we have been lucky enough to have Jake Bloom in our corner. Jake is way more than a lawyer — he is practically our “Yoda.” He and his wife Ruth are wonderful friends as well. Jake is one of the top attorneys in this town and we have benefitted greatly from his expertise and advice.

  Then there’s Karen, my partner in film and life. One could not ask for anything more. Karen is brilliant with a script, and one of the things she is proudest of is a note from Taylor Hackford, the director of Ray, who made it clear that the script wouldn’t have been what it was without her dedication and persistence in working on it and fighting for the changes that needed to be made.

  In reflecting, I realize how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family and such great friends. One could never ask for a better friend than Tom Ruta, who has stood by my side through all the crazy deals I have done — and the not-so-crazy ones too! Tom loves to wear suits with suspenders. I will never forget the scene after we won the Stanley Cup. There was chaos, and we were surrounded. I have a distinct memory of Tom in his impeccable suit and tie looking dazed as champagne was being dumped all over us. I remember giving him a hug and saying, “Tom, do you realize we just won the Holy Grail — Lord Stanley’s Cup?” Tom’s brother Nick has also worked for us, loyally and tirelessly, in sports and film for over 30 years. Bob Caporale, my first real lawyer in the business world and to this day one of my dearest friends, has gone on to form Game Plan with former NFL wide receiver Randy Vataha, and they have brokered some of the biggest sports deals ever done — including a few for me.

  My three children, Scott, Rebecca and Howard Jr., have given me great joy and pride and seven wonderful grandchildren, whom Karen and I enjoy spoiling along with their grandmother, Anne, a great friend of both of ours. My children were very patient with my compulsive business behavior, the constant phoning and all the other distractions. I remember the wonderful times my kids and I would enjoy together on various road trips with the hockey teams. On one road trip to Minnesota, wouldn’t you know, my son Scott won the lucky number draw and had to go on the ice between the first and second periods to try to shoot a puck through a small hole in front of the goal, with the odds of achieving it about 1 in 1,000. When Scott was introduced he was booed, but he proceeded to line up the shot and in it went! His prize? A bag of groceries. My daughter Becka was the only female on the Watkinson School hockey team. I remember after one game I asked her what the other players (all boys) were saying to her when she faced off against them. (Keep in mind, her long blonde hair could be seen flowing out of her helmet.) She replied, “Dad, if I tell you what they say to me, you won’t let me play anymore.” And Howard Jr. grew up in the locker room. There are so many stories about “Bubba,” as he is known in NHL circles, that I will leave them for his book, but he has been in and out of hockey with me, and we have had a wonderful time working together. Howard Jr. worked in the Whalers locker room until we sold the team, and then worked briefly in the San Jose Sharks and Philly Flyers locker rooms before joining me in Pittsburgh and subsequently in Connecticut.

  Special thanks to House of Anansi led by Sarah MacLachlan and Matt Williams and their wonderful staff who worked tirelessly with us on this book to bring it to fruition.

  Special thanks to David Andrews, President of the American Hockey League, who kindly provided the initial introduction to House of Anansi in Toronto.

  Special thanks to Steve Milton for spending hours with us transcribing all the stories, and for researching and writing this book with me.

  Special thanks to Mark Willand for working so hard on the marketing and for being a true fan.

  Special thanks to my wife, Karen. She has put as much work into this project as anybody — including me.

  Thanks to God for the gift of life and health and all of life’s experiences, and the faith to pursue my dreams.

  I love my brothers, their spouses and their children, and now grandchildren — Chelsie, Gage, Taylor, Gabby, Chris, Nick, and MacKenzie Rose. My brother Ian and his wife, Margo, have enjoyed a very successful career in publishing in Vermont with their company, Chelsea Green. My brother Michael and his wife, Margi
e, reside in Marion, Massachusetts, where Michael has an extraordinarily successful investment banking firm and is dedicated to his foundation, the Marion Foundation, a charitable organization dealing with key world health and environmental issues. My brother Philip and his partner, Monica, reside in Paris and are considered one of the top glass blower/designer teams in the world. Their work is extraordinary and is featured in top galleries and museums around the globe.

  Karen’s family has been wonderful to me and my children and grandchildren. When Karen and I met, we knew that if we were to have a relationship it wouldn’t be easy because of our age gap and the fact that I had been married once before. Mary Jane and Jim embraced the relationship, and once Mary Jane finally bit the bullet and sent out the wedding invitations, it was smooth sailing. Karen’s sister Kristen and her brother Jason have always been devoted friends to me — and now with spouses and children of their own, that circle of devotion has widened.

  Many people will look at Karen and me like we are nuts and wonder how we work together and yet stay so happily married. It is a fair question. We met each other in the workplace and we both love the same things — film and sports, and each other. My father would always say that in order to really succeed on the journey of life, you need a sense of humor. Karen and I have that in common.

  Finally, I think of my parents.

  My father had us on skates as soon as we could walk. He loved the sport of hockey and was a highly skilled player. The passion that I had for the sport emanated from him. Dad also taught me and my brothers the real values that enable one to succeed in life: loyalty, integrity, common sense, a sense of humor and kindness.

  Speaking of kindness, one of the kindest people I have known was my mother, Rose. I am not sure I would have ever written this book if it wasn’t for my mother. Particularly in her later years, she would love it when I would come to visit with Karen and tell all my old war stories. After each story she would say “Howdy, dear — you must write a book.” She would constantly ask, “When are you going to write that book?”

  Our family was blessed to have had both parents live well into their later years. My dad died in June of 2001, at 88. Three days prior to his passing, we shared a wonderful conversation about sports, and his frustration with the Red Sox, and his joy at watching Tiger Woods play golf. My mother died in March of 2013, at 95. She was sharp as a tack and focused up until the very end. In fact, the night before she passed she had a glass of wine and some oysters from the bay that she loved to sail upon, and was telling my daughter Becka about her escapades at school.

  So, Ma, here it is. I hope everyone has had some fun reading it and maybe learned a little about me in the process. I sure have. I look forward to the chapters that are still unwritten.

  PHOTO INSERT

  Index

  Abraham, F. Murray, 220

  Adams, Weston, 87

  Ahearn, Kevin, 69

  Alex Taylor and Company, 12–13

  Allen, Keith, 17, 25, 41

  Alley, Gene, 8

  American Basketball Association, 48, 72, 84, 98

  American Dye Wood Company, 4

  American Motors, 191–92

  Anaheim Ducks, 155, 188, 191

  Anderson, John, 144

  Andrews, Davie, 103, 110–12, 213, 239

  Anschutz, Philip, 141, 219–30

  Anschutz Entertainment Group, 238, 242

  Anspaugh, David, 220

  Atlanta Thrashers, 243–44

  Aubut, Marcel, 106, 117, 118, 121, 203

  Aumont, Jean-Pierre, 211

  Avco cup, 79–80

  The Aviator, 224–25

  Bacon, Kevin, 231

  Badali, Gus, 115

  Badway, Ray, 64, 65

  Baldwin, Howard

  as baseball player, 11–12

  at Boston University, 9–11

  childhood, 3–6

  as film actor, 211–12

  first marriage, 123, 133

  as hockey coach, 24–25

  as a Marine, 6–9, 12–13

  marriage to Karen Mulvihill, 141–44

  and movie business, 139–41, 183–84, 212–33

  with Philadelphia Flyers, 16–44

  as WHA president, 107

  Baldwin, Howard Jr. (son), 102, 123, 143, 178, 241

  Baldwin, Ian (brother), 3

  Baldwin, Ian (Mike) (father), 3, 6, 42, 63, 167

  Baldwin, Karen Mulvihill (wife), 161–62

  marriage to Howard, 141–44

  and movie business, 153, 183–84, 213–15

  and Russian Penguins, 187, 188, 196

  and Sahara, 227, 228, 230

  Baldwin, Michael (brother), 3, 156

  Baldwin, Myrtle (aunt), 161

  Baldwin, Peter (uncle), 161

  Baldwin, Philip (brother), 3, 14–15

  Baldwin, Rebecca (daughter), 123, 130

  Baldwin, Rose (mother), 4–5

  Baldwin, Taylor (cousin), 161–62

  Baldwin Entertainment Group, 230–33

  Baldwin/Cohen Productions, 214–21

  Bale, Christian, 227

  Ballard, Harold, 98, 106, 107, 117, 129–30, 132

  Bank of Boston, 86

  Barnes, Bill, 147

  and 91 Club, 113

  and Avco cup, 79

  and marketing of Whalers, 93, 110, 213

  and Springfield Civic Center, 112

  as Whaler co-owner, 57, 67, 76, 82

  Barnett, Mike, 185, 202

  Barrasso, Tom, 169, 173, 217

  Bartimo, Vincent, 96–97

  Bassett, John W., 98

  Bassett, Johnny F., 73, 120

  and movie business, 211

  signing of underage juniors, 109–10

  in Tijuana, 98–100

  and Toronto Toros, 87–88, 96

  and World Football League, 88–90

  Beck, Camille, 110, 112

  Bell, Upton, 90

  Belov, Oleg, 195

  Belzberg, Morris, 156, 158–59, 160, 172, 187, 198–99

  Benjamin, Stuart, 141, 213, 221, 225

  Benning, Brian, 167

  Bettman, Gary, 171–72, 183, 201–5, 245

  Big E (arena). See Eastern States Coliseum (Big E)

  The Bill Tilden Story, 211

  Billy Galvin, 141, 153

  Birmingham Americans, 90

  Birmingham Bulls, 96, 109–10, 120

  Blackburn, Don, 38, 129, 133, 134

  Blackburn, Ken, 30

  Bloom, Leonard, 98

  Bolin, George, 100–101

  Boston Arena, 52, 53, 62–63, 78–79, 83

  Boston Bruins, 48, 53, 83

  loss of players to WHA, 71

  rights to Mark Howe, 101–4

  and WHA merger, 81, 107

  Boston Bulls, 89

  Boston Celtics, 59, 83

  Boston Garden, 53, 54–55, 62–63, 83

  Boston University Terriers, 9–10, 61

  Bowman, Rob, 227

  Bowman, Scotty, 166, 176

  Brackenbury, Curt, 94

  Bradbury, Ray, 220

  Brightlight Pictures, 232

  Brisson, Pat, 218

  Brophy, John, 21–22

  Brylin, Sergei, 194

  Burkle, Ron, 204

  Burns, Ed, 220

  Busniuk, Ron, 93, 94

  Buss, Jerry, 131–32

  Butler, Gerard, 220, 227

  Butters, Bill, 93

  California Golden Seals, 105

  Campbell, Clarence, 81, 106

  Canadian Broadcasting Corp., 232

  Cape Cod Arena, 47

  Caporale, Bob

  and New Engl
and Whalers, 63–66, 84

  and NHL-WHA merger, 117

  and Pittsburgh Penguins, 96, 198

  Capote, Truman, 220

  Carbone, Nick, 93

  Carlin, Leo, 31

  Carlson, Jack, 93

  Carpenter, Bobby, 136

  Caufield, Wayne, 20

  The Cellar, 214

  Charles, Ray, 221, 222, 225

  Checketts, Dave, 203

  cheerleaders, in hockey, 190

  Cheevers, Gerry, 69, 71

  Cherry Hill Arena, 16–17, 109–10

  Chicago Blackhawks, 74–75, 81, 183

  Chicago Cougars, 73, 81

  Children on Their Birthdays, 220

  Chipman, Mark, 243–44

  Chychrun, Jeff, 167

  Cianci, Bud, 64–65

  Cincinnati Stingers, 94, 105, 120

  Civic Arena (Pittsburgh), 174–75, 184

  Clackson, Kim, 94

  Clark, Bob, 213

  Clarke, Bob, 41, 160

  Cleveland Barons, 105

  Cleveland Crusaders, 96

  Cleveland Lumberjacks, 183–84

  Clinton Comets, 22

  Coburn, John, 10, 47–61, 67

  Coffey, Paul, 167

  Cohen, Richard, 187, 214–19

  Colorado Rockies, 105

  Comrie, Bill, 163–64

  Connecticut Whale, 240–43

  Conrad, Bill, 84

  Conrad, Don

  and Civic Center collapse, 112

  and NHL-WHA merger, 104–5, 117, 118

  and Pittsburgh Penguins, 96–97