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Behind The Bench

Jaws ...What made you want to coach?

  Coach ... I have always had my hand in coaching with  Jay's team, his team always seem to need volunteers....This year Jord's team needed a coach. He asked me if I would coach him...that's all I needed to hear....

  Jaws ... Who would be the coach you would most look up too.?

  Coach ... Al Arbour

  Jaws ... If you could take any NHL player, who would you like to coach?

  Coach ... Peter Forsberg !...He's a great all around player.....I would like to teach Eric Lindros  to play more like Forsberg.  He's big, strong, a good skater and can put the puck in the net. I think sometimes you have to give up some of your game to improve in other areas.

  Jaws ... After a rough start to the campaign, what changes have you made to the way the team is playing now?

  Coach ... A couple of the boys have never had me as a coach before, only a few are familiar with my coaching style.  I am more of a positional coach. Once the boys were more aware of their position on the ice, their play improved as a team.

  Jaws ... What are your aspirations for the season ahead?

  Coach ... Enjoyment and learning will be the main components for our team to have a successful season.  The players will learn that not every game will come out with a win.  But, a games results can be determined by many different outcomes.  A questionable call or a hot goal tender are things players have to realize can make or break a game, but as long as you give your best effort you come out a winner.  This feeling of accomplishment should carry over to the next game.

  Jaws ... Do you find it easy to lift the players after a defeat?

  Coach ... I find that not all players need to be lifted up after a defeat.  For the ones who do, I just make sure to point out the strong points of the game and encourage them that the team will all do better the next game.  I am hopeful that the newly elected Captain of the team will also use his role to assist any players that may feel unhappy about their play.  Encouragement is the key to a successful season.

  Jaws ... How do you keep players motivated to play hard every night they have a game or practice?

  Coach ...The team I have this year comes to rink every time with smiles on their faces and ready to try their best.  Motivating a rep team is not as difficult because each player has worked their hardest to make the team.  Their determination shows from the first tryout.  They can see how the team is progressing every game we play and strive to be better each game.  Practice is hard work but fun at the same time.  They all enjoy each other in the dressing room so they work well on the ice together.

  Jaws ...  What is your proudest moment as a Coach?

  Coach ... My proudest moment would have to be the smile on a boys face after scoring his first goal of the season, or giving high fives to a line that completed great passes that end up as a goal.  I love to see a whole line participate in a goal, it shows great teamwork.