Worcester Business Journal

6 Worcester Business Journal | September 30, 2024 | wbjournal.com e Worcester Railers new team president looks to apply lessons learned from her cra beer experience to the world of professional hockey From HOPS to HIP checks K im Golinski made the transition from cra beer to professional sports on Aug. 1, when she officially became the team president of the Worcester Railers Hockey Club, an affiliate of New York Islanders who play at the DCU Center. Heading into the team's seventh season, Golinski will attempt to apply her nine years of management experience with Wormtown Brewery in Worcester and Tree House Brewing in Charlton to attract more fans, as the Railers look to compete with multiple regional pro hockey franchises and other forms of family entertainment. What led to your decision to jump into hockey from the craft beer space? I have been a fan since the introduc- tion of hockey to Worcester, going back to the Worcester IceCats. I was in junior high and high school, but I spent a lot of time at the rink during those years. I was also a fan of the Worcester Sharks. When they le, I kept watching hockey, but it felt like a void. So when the Railers were announced in 2016, I was a fan before they stepped in the arena. I loved what I was doing in the cra beer space, but I wanted to branch out and see if there were other opportuni- ties and experiences to help grow as a professional and individual. What was your connection to hockey prior to starting the role? I was a fan and grew up watching the Boston Bruins, too. With the Railers, I was a partner through Wormtown, so I had internal connections to the team. We were spending marketing dollars there because it made sense. at's how I got in touch with former Railers President Stephanie Ramey and her front office. I would go to their Skate to Success youth program, which I am super passionate about. at's where I learned who the Railers' team members were and how passionate they were about the team, the kids, and their charitable initiatives. It felt really good, and that's when I realized I wanted to be a part of it. The Railers wrapped up last season with an average attendance of 3,666 fans, putting the team in 23rd out of the then 28 ECHL teams. Some ECHL teams have no competing pro hockey franchises for hundreds of miles, while the Railers have multiple pro hockey franchises within an hour drive. How are you looking to set the team up to compete with not only other hockey teams for attention, but also other types of entertainment options? e closest ECHL team to us is the Maine Mariners, but then we have the Springfield underbirds of the American Hockey League, too. As you know, there's a gap between Worcester and Springfield, and those towns in the middle are a bit of a battlefield for us. So it's really just being present in the communities, which is my tactic. If we're there and fans see us investing in their charity of choice, or their children, or new community initiatives, we'll connect with those people, and they'll come to our games. Being present is what turns people into fans, and being outside the rink is just as important as being inside the rink when it comes to the sales team. What should fans be excited for in this upcoming season? Our Saturday games are now at 6:05 p.m., so it's a little bit of an earlier start than prior years. is means it will be easier for families to get out to those games while still getting kids home before they are sleepy and cranky. We've changed up our promo schedule a bit this year, which I know everyone is really excited about. A highlight of the season seems to be Worcester IceCats night. What's your theory on why there's so much nostalgia for the IceCats? I remember being at some of those games, and there was so much energy. e game was fast, and there were so PHOTOS | COURTESY OF WORCESTER RAILERS Former Wormtown Brewing President Kim Golinski (right) is now the head of Worcester's professional hockey team, as on Aug. 1 she took over the role of Worcester Railers president from Stephanie Ramey, who is now working for the Railers' parent company.

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