Kevin Lowe has apologized to Edmonton Oiler fans.
Kevin Lowe has apologized to Edmonton Oiler fans.
In a video posted on the NHL team’s website, the president of the team’s hockey operations climbed down from suggesting there are two tiers of club fans.
Lowe made the following comments earlier this week as he explained changes to the team’s office:
“We have two types of fans. We have paying customers and we have people that watch the game that we still care about. But certainly the people who go to the games and support, we spend a lot of time talking to them, delivering our message. I would, uh, think it’s safe to say that half the general managers in the National Hockey League would trade their roster for our roster right now. And in terms of the group that messed things up, you’re talking about the group that had the team one period away from winning the Stanley Cup.”
Today, he clarified his comments:
“Yesterday was a day full of excitement and passion and emotion, and I must admit my emotion ran a little high, and I have a few things to say to our fans in particular to clarify. First of all, we are appreciative and are grateful to every one of our fans who cheer for us through good times and bad. We understand that we see many of our fans at Rexall Place, but we have hundreds of thousands of fans that never get to Rexall Place, and we appreciate each and every fan. I did not make that clear yesterday and if I offended anyone, I apologize.”
Noted one blogger at the Edmonton Journal: “Apologies do not come naturally to Kevin Lowe. So, rest assured that the mea culpa to Oilers fans posted to the team’s website (www.edmontonoilers.com) was difficult for a proud, fiercely combative man like Lowe.”
To sum up: Kevin Lowe is sorry. And, well, go, Oilers, go!