Letter To The Editor Defends Dowd

On Tuesday, news reports said Jim Dowd, former New Jersey Devils and Brick Township ice hockey star, has been accused of kicking a player on the Manasquan-Point Pleasant Beach hockey team, where he is the head coach.

Peter Grandich, a Wall Street financial analyst who has managed hedge funds who heads Trinity Financial Sports & Entertainment Management Co., based in Manasquan, spoke out in defense of Dowd. whom he has known for several years.

We at Trinity Financial, Sports & Entertainment Management Company have had the honor of knowing and working with former New Jersey Devils Jim Dowd.

We found Jim to be among the most courteous, humble and passive professional athletes and would have him be part of what we do without hesitation.

We’ve every confidence that the incident now in the public eye shall show our support was worthy and not a true indication of the man we know.

Grandich, on the Trinity Financial website, is listed as a member of the National Association of Christian Financial Consultants, The New York Society of Security Analysts, The Society of Quantitative Analysts and The Markets Technician Association. He is an active supporter of Athletes in Action, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Good News International Ministries. Through Athletes in Action, Grandich assists with bible study and chapel services for the New York Giants and New York Yankees.

Grandich also leads the Athletes & Business Alliance, where Dowd is listed as a member. The Athletes & Business Alliance, based in Manasquan, is “a private organization of professional athletes and business executives who exchange ideas and build relationships,” and its members include a wide range of high-profile professional athletes, from former NFL players to bull-riding and motocross. Dowd is one of several NHL players listed with the organization.

Grandich said by email Wednesday said he has known Dowd for years.

“I have had him at several events and would do so again without question. One of the nicest, genuine professional athletes I’ve had the pleasure to know – you can quote me on that,” Grandich said.

Dowd was named head coach of the Manasquan-Point Pleasant Beach team in May, replacing Todd Wagenbach, according to an article on the hiring on NJ.com.

The Asbury Park Press reported Dowd has been temporarily relieved of his head coaching duties until Wall Township police finish their investigation of the complaint.

Wall Township Police Chief Robert Brice issued a statement Tuesday saying a private citizen filed the complaint on Saturday, Jan. 10, alleging Dowd, 46, had kicked a 16-year-old player on the Manasquan team in the back. The incident is alleged to have happened at the Warriors’ game against Red Bank on Jan. 7 at Jersey Sports Arena in Wall.

Dowd, who starred at Brick Township High School and Lake Superior State University in Michigan, spent 17 years in the NHL, and helped the Devils win the 1995 Stanley Cup against the Detroit Red Wings.

Have a news tip? Email me at karen.wall@patch.com.

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