New Penguins owners proclaim ‘You will win in Pittsburgh’

David Hoffmann didn’t do the bulk of the speaking on Thursday.

But he spoke the loudest.

In a press conference at PPG Paints Arena to introduce the Hoffmann Family of Companies as the new primary owners of the Pittsburgh Penguins, David Hoffmann spoke plainly about his intentions with the nearly 60-year-old franchise.

“You will win in Pittsburgh,” he boasted. “We’re committed to winning. Whatever it takes, we give the resources, we give the autonomy, we put the right people in place to win.”

His son, Geoff Hoffmann, handled the bulk of questions during a press conference in the Lexus Club, which has a captivating view of downtown Pittsburgh.

Geoff Hoffmann addressed the Penguins’ place in Pittsburgh and their history, which includes a pair of bankruptcies, speculation of relocation and an arduous political battle to secure a new arena.

“It is a storied franchise in a lot of different ways,” Geoff Hoffmann said. “There’s certainly been some ups and downs, I think, on the business side of the organization. I’m here to tell you that has come to an end. We are long-term thinkers. This is not an investment for us as you think of a financial investment. This is a commitment to a city, it’s a commitment to an organization.

“The Penguins are going to be in Pittsburgh and always be in Pittsburgh as long as the Hoffmanns are part of it. The Hoffmanns plan to be part of this for generations to come. We are really well positioned, not only to continue the trajectory that the organization is on currently but to make the investments that are required to remain competitive. And to create an incredibly special fan experience, which is something that we’re focused on too. We want this to be great for the community of Pittsburgh and for all of our fans.”

Geoff Hoffmann will serve as the club’s governor while brother Greg, David and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas will serve as alternate governors.

The Hoffmanns have roots in the Midwest, with David Hoffmann growing up in Missouri. He founded DHR Global, an executive search firm, in 1989 and from that business grew the Hoffmann Family of Companies (typically referred to as HF Companies), a private equity firm that has interests in a variety of fields ranging from aviation to media to wineries and to sports franchises.

HF Companies already owns the Florida Everblades of the ECHL and turned that franchise into that league’s model franchise. Earlier this month, the Everblades won the ECHL’s Kelly Cup for the fourth time in the past five years.

“We have a culture that we created, a culture of winning,” David Hoffmann said. “Our coach at the Everblades (Brad Ralph) is the winningest coach in the history of the ECHL. We’ve won four out of five years, the Kelly Cup. … And we plan to do the same thing here. This is going to be wonderful. We’re going to give Kyle all the resources that he needs or whatever he needs to bring the Stanley Cup back here.”

The Hoffmanns plan on doing a lot here in Pittsburgh.

“We understand what the Penguins and what sports teams in general — but I think especially in a city like Pittsburgh — what the Penguins mean to the city,” said Geoff Hoffmann, who indicated he is in the process of purchasing a home in Squirrel Hill. “And it’s more than just what happens on the ice. It’s bringing in the members of the community, it’s supporting the community, it’s taking a vested interest in participating philanthropically, participating in community events and creating an atmosphere where everyone is welcome and wants to be here. And that takes presence.

“So, you’ll be seeing us in Pittsburgh regularly.”