The Empire Club of Canada
Monday, January 21, 2019
The Empire Club of Canada Presents:
Kyle Dubas, GM Toronto Maple Leafs & Bobby Webster, GM Toronto Raptors In Conversation With Elliotte Friedman On How Big Data is Changing Professional Sports
Kyle Dubas was named the 17th General Manager in the Club’s history on May 11, 2018 after originally joining the Leafs as Assistant General Manager in July of 2014.
In his role as Assistant General Manager, Dubas held multiple responsibilities including player personnel, managing the club’s player development department and farm system, managing the organizations Research & Development department, and overseeing the organization’s top prospects as General Manager of the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. In his four seasons as General Manager of the Marlies, the team compiled a record of 190-90-20-4 and captured the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as AHL regular season champion in 2015-16 and 2017-18. In 2017-18, the Marlies reached 50 wins for the third time in team history (2007-08, 2015-16), set the League record for most road wins in a season (30) and earned the franchise’s first Calder Cup championship.
Before joining the Maple Leafs, Dubas served as General Manager of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League for three seasons from 2011-12 to 2013-14. During his tenure, his teams finished with an overall record of 109-76-7-12, which included two post-season berths and a West Division title in 2013-14. From 2011 through 2014, the Greyhounds had 14 players drafted to the National Hockey League; second most of all OHL teams over that span.
At the time of his hiring by the Greyhounds, the Sports Management Graduate from Brock University (Dean’s List honours) became the second youngest General Manager in OHL history at the age of 25.
In 2015, Dubas was recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the sports industry’s brightest young stars in their annual Top 30 Under 30 in Sports list. He was also honoured with the Brock University Distinguished Young Alumni Award in March of 2015.
Dubas and his wife, Shannon, have one son.
Bobby Webster enters his sixth season with the Raptors and second as the team’s general manager. He manages the day-to-day basketball operations of the franchise and provides his expertise on strategic team building, roster and personnel planning, and player acquisitions. During his time with the Raptors, Webster has also served as assistant general manager and vice president, basketball management & strategy.
Webster came to the Raptors after working for the NBA league office in New York for seven seasons in the legal department. He brings with him a vast working knowledge of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and was part of the team that worked with the NBA Labor Relations Committee to negotiate the 2011 CBA with the National Basketball Players Association. While at the NBA, Webster advised front office personnel from all 30 teams on CBA matters related to salary cap/luxury tax planning, player contract negotiations & analytics, and trades.
Elliotte Friedman – Analyst and Insider, NHL on Sportsnet & Hockey Night in Canada
With a remarkable career in sports media spanning more than 20 years and earning him a reputation as one of the most respected broadcasters in the country, Elliotte Friedman joined Sportsnet in June 2014 as an insider and analyst for the network’s national NHL coverage and Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts.
In addition to his on-air role, Friedman regularly contributes to sportsnet.ca, analyzing the latest NHL news in his regular “30 Thoughts” column and, most recently, a new podcast of the same name alongside Jeff Marek.
Prior to joining Sportsnet, Freidman was a mainstay of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, serving as both an in-studio analyst and reporter for 11 seasons, contributing news and analysis throughout the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Throughout his 20-plus years in sports, Freidman has covered numerous major sporting events including multiple Olympic Games, NHL, MLB, CFL, NBA and more.
Moderator:
Elliotte Friedman, Analyst and Insider, NHL on Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada
Speakers:
Kyle Dubas, General Manager, Toronto Maple Leafs
Bobby Webster, General Manager, Toronto Raptors
*The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.*
*Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*