If you’re reading this in mid-November, you might be thinking: “Who applies for a hockey job a month before Christmas? The season’s in full swing. Most of the jobs are taken now.” You wouldn’t be far from the truth. But the fact is, there are hockey jobs available right now. And if you want to […]

Yesterday, James Mirtle posted an excellent, detailed breakdown of the ages of the 29 NHL coaches. (It excluded Don Waddell, who only plans to remain behind Atlanta’s bench until he’s identified the right man or woman to replace Bob Hartley.) When checking out Mirtle’s list, what caught my eye was how surprisingly few championships the […]

King of Russia: A Year in the Russian Super League By Dave King with Eric Duhatschek Published by McClelland & Stewart Hardcover, 256 pages Release Date: October 2, 2007 Has Dave King ever met J.K. Rowling? I doubt it. In fact, I also doubt that his co-author Eric Duhatschek is on a first-name basis with […]

Originally published on IHWC.NET in 2005 By Lucas Aykroyd Let’s be honest. What you hear from coaches during a typical media interview is not always enlightening or stimulating. Usually, generic talk about “good habits,” “consistency,” “sustained pressure,” and “staying positive” dominates. The focus is on getting two points in the next game. Big-picture issues and […]

By Lucas Aykroyd Vince Lombardi once said, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” But far more progressive attitudes were in evidence at the 2000 Play Right Coaches Conference at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver from July 6 to 9. The conference brought together some 500 hockey coaches from every level: minor, junior, […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2003 By Lucas Aykroyd At last count, Washington State’s grizzly bear population only numbered between 40 and 50. But the Everett Silvertips plan to bring the bear back big-time in their inaugural WHL season. They’re taking an aggressive approach as an expansion franchise, and if things work out, it’ll […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2005 By Lucas Aykroyd There’s no shortage of highly qualified and motivated coaches in the CHL. Brent Sutter didn’t have to return behind the bench with Canada’s World Junior team for the second straight year. Really, what did he have left to prove after steering the 2005 team to […]