Scouts and coaches played an integral role in the trades made during the campaign and certainly they called the shots at the draft table. Tullio is adamant that a four-year plan, beginning with Davies taking on ownership and Brad Selwood as general manager, went awry. Expectations were high, but, like dealing with a flooded basement, the Generals find themselves in damage control.

Their exit from post-season play in the second round by the Belleville Bulls sent out a clear signal by ownership that this was not written in the script. Head scout Rob Honigan got the message as did goaltending coach Mike Lawrence, the latter no doubt on the heels of the Generals making Quinte goaltender Kevin Bailie their No. 1 draft selection.

Honigan was informed of his dismissal on the Friday, to take effect immediately following the Saturday draft. Scouts were prepared to follow him out the door. This could have resulted in an embarrassing bust at the draft table. However, the professional side of Honigan and his scouts unfolded while selecting what they honestly believed to be the future of the Generals.

Ownership, from this perspective, is on solid foundation. But there remains a genuine concern and those who devote themselves to watching and cheering for the Generals can only hope this potentially harmful leak doesn’t fester in to a giant catastrophe.