Exciting time for former Rush GM Mike Polisky

In July 2008, Chicago Rush general manager Mike Polisky was on top of the world, honored as the Arena Football League's Executive of the Year.

By mid-December, there was no Arena League Football.

The league, after tenuous discussions, decided to scrap the 2009 season, leaving many in the business pondering what the future held, out on the street looking for work.

Well, it didn't take long for Polisky to find a new gig. About a month after the AFL decided to close up shop temporarily, the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League were announcing that Polisky would be their new president.

Moving from goal lines to blue lines, from field goals to just plain goals, can be quite an adjustment.

Polisky talked with the Daily Herald about that and other topics:

Q. How much do you know you know about hockey?

A. I would consider myself to be a casual hockey fan. But I know within a matter of a couple of more months I will become an avid, passionate and obsessive Wolves fan.

I'm not focusing too much of my attention on the hockey side of things right now. We have the best general manager in the AHL in Kevin Cheveldayoff - he's won four championships in 12 years. There's no need for me to stick my nose in there.

Q. What was the hardest part about leaving the Rush?

A. There were a lot of difficult parts. I was one of a group of very close, passionate people who really helped create the brand in the Chicago marketplace, and we had ownership of that team and a lot of pride in it. I have a lot of friendships that will certainly survive the change in jobs.

It was tough to leave. I also was very involved in the football side of the business, and you feel for the players and coaches who lost their occupation.

Q. What exactly went wrong with the AFL?

A. The business model of the Arena Football League needed to be restructured. The league ultimately decided that it would be able to solve the financial problems more efficiently if it was its only focus, so it chose to take a year off ... and just focus in on changing the business model. I'm very hopeful they'll succeed.

Q. Compare the AFL to the AHL from a business perspective.

A. I don't know enough about it yet. The AHL is a minor-league feeder league to the NHL and it shares a lot of business responsibilities with its NHL parent. I think that certainly allows for the business to be more functional.

Q. This job is quite a change for you, isn't it? You were more hands-on with the Rush.

A. I was overseeing the salary cap, negotiating contracts. I wouldn't choose the players - the coaches would do that - but I was certainly involved. The other side of my responsibilities with the Rush was to oversee the entire business. With the Wolves, my responsibility is to oversee the business. That's the difference.

Q. That's quite a difference, isn't it?

A. It's quite a difference but it's a completely different experience for me, so I have plenty to do and plenty to learn and twice as many colleagues in the front office to get to know. I'm not missing running the hockey side at all. First of all, I don't have any expertise. I'm hoping to match Kevin Cheveldayoff success on the ice with our business off the ice - that will be a great accomplishment for us.

Q. What's your top priority in your new position?

A. To take advantage of all the great attributes of the Wolves organization. To make sure that the fan experience continues to be the best in all of Chicago sports and the best entertainment value. And to make sure that all the corporate partners in Chicago and the suburbs realize we're a wonderful marketing initiative and an affordable one speaking to families, which doesn't occur to often in professional sports.

Q. The popularity of the Blackhawks - good or bad for you guys?

A. I think it's fantastic for the Chicago Wolves. The more people are into hockey, the more they're going to get into both teams and appreciate the game. It's going to be higher on everyone's radar.

The Wolves and the AHL are full of the next generation of NHL players, so you can come and see the NHL folks at the United Center and hopefully enjoy a winning program, or you can come to the AHL and see the next generation with an organization that's won four championships in 12 years.

Either way, winning hockey in Chicago is fantastic for hockey fans.