Traverse City Record-Eagle

Top 10 Sports Stories of 2009

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December 24, 2009

Top 10: North Stars bounce back

Team is in first place after being on the brink of folding

BY JAMES COOK

Editor's Note: As we count down the top 10 sports stories of 2009, read them as they're published at record-eagle.com/top10sports.

TRAVERSE CITY -- The Traverse City North Stars' journey from the brink of folding to first place included adding a few new faces.

The team added to its ownership and in the process helped lay down a foundation for the team to stay in Traverse City. Meanwhile, the product the franchise has put on the ice has the team in first place in the North Division.

The journey for the North Stars comes in as our No. 8 local sports story of 2009.

Steve and Sue Fournier went from being the sole owners to part of a consortium of owners, led by Rick and Raj Wiener. The other members of the ownership include area business owners Peter Jones and Blaine Vadeboncoeur; retired businessman James Jalovec; and former Detroit Red Wing player Dallas Drake.

"We're a hockey family," Raj Wiener said. "We love hockey. And the North Stars are a very good family product. My family didn't want to see it go away just because we were in a tough economic time. This is the time when people who can help should help."

The Stars have been at or near the top of the North Division standings all season, going shot for shot with Marquette. The team also made the playoffs last year for the second time in the team's four-year history.

"The quality of the hockey we're seeing is top-notch," said Raj Wiener, who added that she hasn't missed a home game this season.

Rick Wiener is the founder of Wiener Associates, a governmental affairs law firm. Raj, formerly the director of the Michigan Department of Public Health, is a partner in the business. Both are longtime Traverse City area homeowners.

The couple became involved in hockey when their son, Robert, started playing. Since then, they have housed about 12 players for Lansing-area travel teams and this year Robert is playing midget majors.

"Hockey has just become something of what we do," Raj Wiener said.

Steve Fournier, who owns Grand Traverse Construction, said he was looking for help so he could devote more time to his business and spend more time with his grandchildren.

"Now I can enjoy it instead of all that stress and work," Fournier joked.

"It became and financial burden that I couldn't bear by myself anymore," Fournier said. "The economy has changed."

Having Drake among the ownership can also be a recruiting tool when the Stars court potential players.

"If Dallas says it's good, it must be good," Fournier said.

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