The New Gig Has Already Started!

The current season is not even over yet and I am already under way with the new gig, coaching the AA team next year.

So far I have scouted five games, making notes on players who are eligible to play at our level, what their strengths, weakness' etc are. And I am learning very quickly the whole dealing with the parents side of this game. I have had several parents approach me at the games, just to introduce themselves to see who the coach is for next year, what the plans are etc. This is all part of the process, and it's cool to see the level of interest involved.

Time marches on, and so do I.

Till next time....

Firing Coaches

As a hockey coach, it should come as no surprise that this is a very sensitive topic for me. Earlier this week, Andy Murray, coach of the Los Angeles Kings was fired. The Kings are currently in the midst of a very tight race to make the playoffs, with less than twenty games to go. Why would you fire the coach at this crucial time of the season?
Claude Julien was fired earlier this season from the Montreal Canadiens, even though he had a winning record. The Canadiens haven't really improved a great deal since then, and are in the midst themselves of a fight for survival to make the playoffs.

I think teams have to look at another area of their business before worrying about firing the coach all the time. How about reviewing the General Managers a little more closely. A number of those guys have made brutal decisions over the years, yet still manage to keep their jobs. How so?
Let's look, for example at Mike Milbury of the New York Islanders. He's been a screw up for his entire GM career! Look at the contracts he's signed. Yashin, a ten year multi million dollar deal? That guy is useless! He hasn't won anything in his entire career! I don't think he's even broken a sweat. And look at the trades Milbury has made, trading away the likes of McCabe, Chara, Luongo etc. etc. etc.

I swear Milbury must have incriminating photos of someone somewhere, or his owner is a real dummy, or both.

A lot of these GM's now are ex players. Silly question: what qualifications do they have to run an organization. Most of them are about as intelligent as a lamp post. And they are put in a position to decide peoples fate? Please, give me a break.

NHL teams should really take a long hard look at who is running their day to day operations (don't get me started about the Leafs GM, JFJ). Too many old boys doing things they are not qualified to do.

Till next time.....

My Coaching Career

For those of you who have not followed this blog on a regular basis, my coaching career as centred on Senior women's hockey. Women from 19 years old and up have been my focus. That is about to change.

For the 2006-2007 season I have been given a very cool opportunity to coach, within the same Mississauga Chiefs organization, their Peewee 'AA' team
(11 & 12 year olds). The MGHL web site had noted that they were still searching for a coach for the coming season. So, I submitted my application, half expecting a denial because I didn't have a daughter in that program. I was called in for an interview (by committee). Nine (I think) of them and one of me. I felt like I was part of a Senate Committee hearing or other type of inquisition. But, having been in the business world a long time, and having been through similar scenarios before, I handled it quite well and actually enjoyed the process.

Two days later I got the call confirming that I got the gig!! And, other than the good impression I made to the group, one of the other reasons I was chosen was that I did not have a daughter on the team, hence no worries of favoritism etc.

So, once this season is done, I move on to a new challenge. I'm looking forward to every minute of it! But until that time, we still have tournaments and playoffs on the way for the senior ladies.

Till next time....

Recent Media Exposure

Recently, I had the opportunity to take part in a survey and actually had my comments printed in the Toronto Star Newspaper. The Star want to know what we thought of Hayley Wickenheiser playing the last half of the Olympic tournament for Canada with a broken wrist. Was it a smart move? Was it poor judgment? Was she at risk? Was she "all about Hayley"?
I stated that since it not take away from her game and did not negatively impact the team and could have inspired her teammates, it was the right move to make. Again, it's a short tournament. You "do what you gotta do" to get the job done. Hayley, and indeed Team Canada, did just that.

Last night on a local cable access show here in Mississauga, the topic was women's hockey, as yesterday was International Women's day. The panel guests were Susan Fennel, Mayor of Brampton and Chairwoman of the NWHL (National Women's hockey League), Sue Richardson (Hope I have your name right, apologies if I don't), colour commentator for all the women's hockey games at the Olympic for the CBC, and Justine Blainey, who, it can be said got the women's hockey movement started by taking her right to play hockey with the boys to the Supreme Court of Canada (and winning) as she had been denied the opportunity prior to that decision.

Viewers were invited to call in to express their views, ask questions etc. So, I did and got on the air. I noted that split in professional women's hockey, with the NWHL and the western pro league, the WWHL. I also noted the lack of promotion for the leagues and in particular, their important games. The NWHL playoffs are around the corner, but there has been no publicity surrounding these games outside of the women's hockey world. In both cases it came down to money, according to Fennel. I would have to agree. It's sort of a catch-22. Until more exposure happens in women's hockey, it will toil in relative obscurity compared to the men's came. Until cash is pumped into providing that promotion, the same result will happen. No cash, no promotion. No promotion, no exposure.

Hopefully one day, greater minds than mine will find a way. In the mean time, it was pretty cool to get on the air to talk about it.

Till next time....

The Olympics

Now that the snowflakes have settled on yet another Winter Olympiad, I'd like to throw my two cents worth in on the triumphs and sorrows on the Canadian men's and women's Olympic hockey teams. Ladies first...

All I can say about the ladies hockey success is: WOW!!

They played an incredible tournament. Their preparation started after the 2002 Olympics. The program the ladies are on is simply amazing. The sacrifices the ladies made are truly incredible. Their love of the game is both heart warming and so typically Canadian. They played hard, took no prisoners and played as a team. While being accused of running up the score in a couple of their games, the opposition, particularly the host Italian team, thanked them for a hockey lesson and for playing the Canadians 'A' game. Now, for the men......

You would have to have been hidden under a rock not to know the outcome of the men's hockey team. Just in case you were, they did not make it beyond the first game of the medal round. They were beaten in the preliminary round by Switzerland, 2-0, hardly a hockey power, but a team consisting of, among others, nine cast off Canadians players motivated and determined to show their detractors back home what they could do.

Everyone and anyone in the Canadian media has had their say as to why the men's team faired so poorly this time around. There were several distractions surrounding the team, most notably a huge gambling controversy that allegedly involved Wayne Gretzky. He was subsequently proven not to be involved, but you know how the media plays things up. The sharks hungry for a story and all that.

My take on the men's team you ask? Four players I feel should have been on the active roster: Eric Staal, Jason Spezza, Sidney Crosby and Dave Hannan. Four players who should not have been on the active roster: Todd Bertuzzi, Kris Draper, Brian McCabe and Shane Doan. It's a short tournament. You need speed on the big Olympic ice. There is no need or time for grinders. The Europeans have no grinders; for them it's all about speed and attack. It's time the Hockey Canada/NHL realized this in the men's program. It's also time to rethink this whole NHL involvement in the Olympics.
The North American mentality is not the same as the European mentality. Case in point: Look how well the European players played for their country, while, with their NHL teams, they don't play nearly as well (for example, Aki Berg played superbly for Finland, while for the Maple Leafs everyone wants to run him out of town because he's brutal). Both the US and Canadian men's hockey teams played aweful hockey. They looked lost, performed as individuals and gave the appearance of not really caring.

Wake up boys!! The ladies have the right idea. We host the Olympics in 2010. Try to remember that the game has changed and the need for speed is the essence of success in such a tournament.

Till next time...

I'm baaaacccckkkkkk!!!!

Hello world. After a rather long break from this blog, I'm back to talk more hockey!

I didn't realize how long I was off this thing. But I can tell you, I had a rather severe case of writers block (a block on the blog, eh?). But at long last, the blockage has been cleared. I'm still job hunting. But, as noted in a previous post, that's another story.

I am about to do several posts, just to get caught up and move on into this wild hockey season. So stay tuned, the coach is back!!

Till next time....

Winning Streaks

At the risk of jinxing things, the teams I am involved with from a coaching perspective are on a bit of a winning streak. Blondie's Saturday night team won again, as did her Sunday night team.
The Sunday team, in particular, is really starting to gel now. I've been behind their bench for approximately five weeks now and am noticing an improvement. And, they are VERY keen to learn, which is cool for me. I have a lot of hockey knowledge packed into this bald head of mine. It's great to be able to share that knowledge, then watch them go out and actually succeed based on that information.

The Chiefs, the competitive team I help coach, is on a serious winning streak now. They are playing with authority, confidence and fun. However, in our game yesterday, we were victims of some very poor officiating. One of our wingers was the victim of an "open field" tackle at their blue line. Now, for those of you who don't know, the Canadian Football League's Championship game, the Grey Cup, was on yesterday. Those guys would have appreciated the tackle, but we sure didn't. It also became apparent that slew foots, elbows to the head and punches to the face shield were okay too; and this from women!

In my travels through the woman's hockey world so far, I've noticed a couple of things about some (not all, by any means)of the officials who ref our games:

1) They don't care. Face offs are conducted as though they would rather be somewhere else.
2) They don't know the rules (see above).
3) Hidden agenda. Some refs may not be particularly fond an associated or group, and it shows up in the calls they make.

The majority of officials call a good game, but it seems, as in life, that we only remember the negatives. I get very emotional on the bench, regardless of the level I am coaching. All I ask is for a fair game. Not a lot to ask.

Till next time.....

Back to the Rink

The Mississauga Chiefs are on a three game winning streak now, having won the last three games 6-0, 5-0, and 5-1. The ladies are really coming together now, playing with confidence, determination and authority.

My wife's recreational teams keep rolling along, having won their game last week 4-3 with only five skaters and a goalie. That meant no spares, so each of the five played the entire game. An inspiring performance was put in by all. They were one tired bunch when that game was done.

And for me, I finally got onto the score sheet, netting two goals in a 4-1 win by my Sunday morning boys. The gates have now opened!

Till next time......

Detroit Red Wing Player Collapses on the Bench

Did you see the news about the Red Wings player who collapsed on the bench last night? Very scary situation. Seems he has a history of an enlarged heart, causing his heart to stop beating during the first period in their game with Nashville. In watching the events unfold on the sports shows today, I can only wonder how chaotic it must have been. See the medical crew bring the stretcher out, watching two Detroit players grabbing the stretcher and skating it over to the bench to expedite things.

When all was said and done, the game was postponed for later rescheduling.

As I understand it, the player, Yuri Fischer, is doing well today. Before doing this post, I dropped a note to the competitive team I help coach, explaining the importance of supplying their medical history information to our training staff, in the event that something could happen on our bench to our team. Hopefully they heed the note and keep team officials updated. All the best to Yuri and his family for a speedy, successful recovery. The hockey world is with you.

Game on!

The "New NHL"

Well, the NHL season is almost at the first quarter pole. What do you think? I like a lot of the changes. No red line, tag up off sides, even the no change on an icing rule. But, the referee's have to find a happy medium on how they call a game. Right now, if someone even comes close to committing a "foul", they'll get called. A stick brushing a sweater becomes a hook. Someone who inadvertently gets in someone else's way is now interfering. There are far too many power plays. Even worse, there are far too many two man disadvantages. I know the league wants more scoring to make the game more exciting, hence, bring in more paying customers. But, that is NOT hockey.

It will take some time for all of these adjustments to settle down. I'll be patient. In the mean time, back to the rink.

Till next time......

Whew, What a Weekend!

Here I sit, keyboard in hand, settling down after a very busy, but successful hockey weekend. I actually went 5 & 0 for the weekend. That is to say, five wins and no losses, a first, I think.

Let's rewind to Friday night past. The Mississauga Chiefs, the competitive senior B team I help coach won our game Friday night 6-0 against a team called the Wheels. I guess the wheels were not well greased. Saturday night, my wife's house league team in the RWHL (Rexdale Women's Hockey league) win their game 4-2. Sunday morning, the team that I play on wins our second game of the season 4-3. Sunday afternoon, the Chiefs are back at it against those same Wheels. The score this time is 5-0 for the good guys. And finally, my wife's Sunday night team, The Storm, playing in the MGHL (Mississauga Girls Hockey League) win a close checking affair 4-3.

Four wins coaching and one win playing, like I said, a busy, successful week. I'm not a religious person, but the rink is certainly my church. And I worship gladly!

Time to settle down and relax. Chiefs practice on Tuesday.

Till later......

Full Speed Ahead!!!

That's about how the season is going so far. Lots of hockey, some success, some, not so much. In the 5+ years I've been doing this coaching thing, I have found that it is always cool hooking up with a new group of players to teach, mentor, shape and unleash on some poor, unsuspecting league.

That's the case with my wife's Sunday night team. I've been behind their bench for three weeks now, and they are always looking for tips and advise. Then, when they go out and actually do the thing, it's really cool to see and experience.

I'm toying with the idea of putting my coaching adventures down on paper and see what comes up. I've traveled a lot of miles/kilometers since I got back into the hockey world. Doing this blog has made me realize that it is fun to share the trip with the world at large. So, watch out. There may be some memoirs in the future.

That's it for now. I'm off to hunt for a new job. Oh ya, that's a whole other entry, but not on a hockey coaches blog.

Till next time.......