CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 29 Cape Fear Crematory, Inc. More cost effective than traditional burial We offer private family viewings Affordable direct cremation Services available 24 hours Family owned and operated for 35 years 6765 Sandy Creek Road | Stedman, NC 28391 | 910.323.8898 | www.capefearcrematory.com "Where compassion and care run the business" franchise and owner in the league." Other team owners—particularly Virginia's Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs and Alabama's Huntsville Havoc—have been "unbelievably forthcoming, honest, and helpful to us as new owners." ey've answered every query for advice "truthfully and immediately," from operating costs to salaries to marketing and merchandising. at might explain why Norris wouldn't comment on any existing team rivalries. He did guess, though, that healthy competition will emerge with Roanoke, whom the Marksmen face about a dozen times this year, including on their October 20th season-opener at the Rail Yard Dawgs' house. Georgia's Macon Mayhem and Tennessee's Knoxville Ice Bears could also end up in the crosshairs. Meeting Mazzolini In June, Nick Mazzolini, 33, was hired as head coach. His experience includes four years at Providence College and time in Italy's top league as well as Germany's second tier. As the captain of his native Alaska Aces in the 2013- 14 season, he won the East Coast Hockey League's Kelly Cup. "I didn't think [winning] a pro championship would mean so much to me, but it was special to do it in front of my hometown, the people that had helped develop me," Mazzolini said. "It's something I want to help bring to the community of Fayetteville." Norris, who called Mazzolini "a family guy, honest, and hardworking," is looking at a bigger picture. "Finding somebody that's gonna put together a championship team on day one was not our top priority. Our name in the community has to be first-class. We have to earn that respect. I don't want to predict a championship in year one, but I predict that people are going to love this guy. Nick's looking forward to the challenge." Spotlight on the ice As for on-ice talent, Norris spotlighted Wisconsin native Jake Hauswirth—last year's SCHL league-leader in goals scored and "arguably the best player in the entire league"— and Brad Drobot of Calgary, Canada. "e fans absolutely adore this guy. He embodies everything that Fayetteville's about: blue collar, hard working, tough." Word is he'll hug you off the ice, but on the ice, he'll punch you in the face. Ready to faceoff e pieces are certainly here, now it's up to the Fayetteville Marksmen to put them together and make them glide. "e biggest thing is to get the people into the venue and entertain them in a way that they start to watch the games, become involved, and really enjoy being there," Norris said. "en we start to have the chants, we score a goal and the guy runs around the concourse with the sign. ey're really going to be impressed with the type of show we're going to put on this season and the seasons to follow." Norris forecasts the Marksmen's first two seasons being "big growing years," with year three as when the Crown Coliseum will hit its stride. I told Norris three years isn't far off. "Nope," he said, "it's not." CV

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