One On One With Warren Rychel

On the ice, he was a feared instigator. Off the ice, he's now the general manager of the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League. Warren Rychel has made the transition from player to GM in fine fashion.

I recently had the chance to sit down with this former fighter. Rychel spent eight years in the NHL, playing with the Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, and the former Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

Even as a player, the thoughts of working in an office for a team flashed through his mind.

"You always get that feeling when you're a player and that competition," he said. "The inner feeling in you that now you can do that. It's not quite like playing, but it's still inside you."

Although many will remember him for his scraps, Rychel had some memorable offensive contributions, mainly in the playoffs. In the 1991 postseason, Rychel was called up to play for the Blackhawks with only two games of NHL experience.

He scored a goal along with three assists in just three matches, helping Chicago advance to the finals. Two years later, he played his first full NHL season with the Los Angeles Kings.

In 23 playoff games, he recorded six goals and seven helpers, including two game winners, to once again help his team reach the Stanley Cup finals. However, it wasn't until 1996 that he won the Cup as a member of the Colorado Avalanche.

"That was a great time, but I want to try to bring a championship to Windsor." he said.

Among his acquisitions as GM are Taylor Hall, Eric Wellwood (brother of former Spitfire, Kyle Wellwood), Ryan Ellis, and Josh Bailey, who is currently with the New York Islanders.

Rob Gagnon, the game day and media coordinator for the Spitfires, believes Rychel has done a great job as general manager.

"With the drafts that he's made over the last couple of years, I think people have seen the progress we have made," he said. "Really, I think his biggest accomplishment has been how many of his picks have been successful."

Before his move to Windsor, Rychel was a scout for the Phoenix Coyotes.

"That really helped me get into this job," he said. "Scouting, putting guys in order, and evaluating players was huge going into the general manager's role."

Last season, the Spitfires finished with 94 points, their second highest total in team history. They currently sit in first place in the OHL with a 13-1 record. Rychel couldn't be happier with his role as GM.

"To do something you love, and do it all day long is great," he said. "It's the labour of love for me and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."