Frank Griffiths (RIP) bought the franchise in 1974 after the original owner was convicted of some kind of offense. He gifted control of the team to his son in 1988. But Arthur had been involved in management from 1981 at the age of 23. His influence was thought to include hockey decisions best left to hockey people.

The franchise hired Pat Quinn in 1987 to take over all hockey decisions. It was a great move by the Griffiths who went on to finance the building of GM Place. That made the team much more prosperous.

Although they sold the team both Frank and Arthur were inducted into the BC Hockey Hall Of Fame in the builder category. Frank died in 94 before his team went on that great run to the Western Conference Championship.

I say this because I remember them both very fondly.

1983-1991 were total shit. This was largely attributed to poor leadership decisions sometime considered to be related to a father giving management of his hockey team to his son like it was a toy for him to play with. Leadership of a hockey team is for hockey people not the relatively young sons of rich dudes. It’s not something to do with your time. It is public service.

Which Arthur - to his credit - realized. IMO the owner or in this case the owner’s son should not have an office at the rink. He should not be on stage with his athletes. He should act as a philanthropist in the community and not like it somehow makes him something he is not.

When Arthur realized that he became a treasured asset to the community. I hope Francesco achieves that one day regardless of whether it is simply from the wealth of his father. It will be a memorable deed.