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[link widoczny dla zalogowanych] enjoying Oilers’ ‘youthful exuberance’
EDMONTON — It is only fitting that it begins in Edmonton against Calgary, given that [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]’s career has wound through the two cities many times in many ways.
But the 47-year-old coach has other things on his mind — like helping to guide the fleet but tender-footed Oilers through their season-opener against the Flames Thursday night.
“We are fired up,” said [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] after the club’s final run through practice at Rexall Place. “A lot of hours, a lot of preparation have gone into this — I haven’t seen the sun very much in the last month. But there’s a youthful exuberance around here that is immeasurable. It’s certainly fun to be a part of this.”
Thirteen years have passed since [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] last tutored an NHL team, and it just so happened it was the Flames. That stint lasted a year.
Between then and now, he got in another three seasons as a player, a 10-year stretch as a building contractor, worked a scouting gig with the Chicago Blackhawks and had another child. Then the father of five got wind of the fact that the Oilers were looking to fill out their revamped coaching staff.
“My sleeping habits have changed. My eating habits have changed. Everything I do has changed . . but around the rink, I am starting to find a bit of a rhythm,” continued [link widoczny dla zalogowanych], who will work alongside Ralph Krueger, Kelly Buchberger, and of course, head coach Tom Renney.
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych] will work up in the catwalk Thursday, then on Sunday, when the Oilers take on the Florida Panthers, he’ll be on the bench and Buchberger will work upstairs. It is a rotation that will continue through the season.
All the coaches will have their hands in all areas of the game and within their roles, will operate with a degree of autonomy. [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] will work on the penalty kill with Krueger, manage the forwards and systems on games days, and tutor the defence on practice days.
“That’s the most exciting part of this. Tom has enabled us to take ownership in something and allowed us the freedom to deal with people as we see fit. He has defined our roles and allowed us to go out and perform.
“And the group that surrounds me has been incredible when it comes to my learning curve,” continued [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]. “Because no matter how many years you spend inside the game playing, you never understand what happens behind the scenes.
“I’ve watched the game from above pretty closely for the last two years but I wasn’t watching systems. I was watching individual players. Now I’m watching individual systems and how the team is handling situations.
“The first few times on the bench was like being in a beehive. No matter how many years you have spent on the bench, you’re not looking at the game, you’re watching one guy. When the left D comes off, I go on. Simple.”
Drafted 111th overall by the Oilers in 1981, [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] played 385 games with Edmonton, won three Stanley Cups and will long be remembered for the errant pass that hit goaltender Grant Fuhr on its way to ending the Oilers hopes of beating Calgary in Game 7 of the ’86 Smythe Division final.
Traded to Chicago in 1991, he played his last games with the Flames.
“I enjoyed the scouting world. You travel on your own, you do your own thing,” he said. “Now I’m back in that environment — and there’s nothing better than being inside.”
Edmonton Journal
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