Batchewana Attack hires Drew Fata
Batchewana Attack of the new Canadian International Hockey League has hired former Ontario Hockey League and National Hockey League defenceman Drew Fata as its general manager.
Attack president and primary owner David Maciuk confirmed the hiring of Fata as the team’s GM and praised him as a “character individual with a strong hockey and business background.”
The 31-year old Fata — who just retired from pro hockey at the end of the 2013-2014 season — takes over as GM of the Attack following the departure of Dennis Bolton. With both sides citing philosophical differences, Bolton and the Attack recently parted ways.
As for Fata, the likeable, easy-to-get-along-with Sault Ste. Marie native becomes the latest well-known local hockey figure to join the Attack, which begins regular-season play in the new CIHL at Rankin Arena on Saturday, October 4.
The Batchewana hockey department features long-time Soo Greyhounds player and coach and NHL forward Denny Lambert as head coach and erstwhile OHL first-rounder Trevor Solomon as assistant coach. Also on board with the Attack as scouts are veteran sleuths Jim Casola and Charly Murray.
Fata, as the GM of the Attack, brings more than deep hockey roots, which includes three seasons in the OHL, eight years at the minor-pro level, nine games in the NHL with the New York Islanders and three seasons overseas.
After turning pro at age 20, Fata continued his schooling in the off-season and is the holder of a Masters Degree in Business Administration.
Fata spent the last two seasons of his hockey career with the Sheffield Steelers of the British Elite Hockey League and worked on his MBA at the University of Sheffield.
PHOTO: Drew Fata (49) had a lengthy playing career that included time in the NHL with the New York Islanders.
Good move by are Attack and Thank You to Randy for all these Info!!