What are some of the challenges of taking over a championship team?
It’s a unique situation. It’s actually only happened a few times in the history of the National Hockey League. I think the understanding that your team has just gone through a long season the year before and had a short summer is important to be able to understand the players’ energy levels. [It helps] to establish and understand where you need to make adjustments to your schedule to be able to maximize energy level.
Is there anything from your days as a player that you use as a coach?
Some of the experiences that I’ve gone through, adversity I’ve gone through, has been able to allow me to form good examples for younger players and even older players as they go through different situations. I think it adds to my repertoire of different things that you need to be able to communicate with players and help them understand some things that have worked and some things that have not worked in the past.
Are there any coaches that you try to emulate?
I’ve been very fortunate to work for two great coaches in the NHL, whether that was Dan Bylsma (former head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins) or working with Barry Trotz the past four years. … Additionally, I’ve played for a number of different coaches, but for me probably the best experience, and one I probably lean on the most, was the time I played with Joel Quenneville for the St. Louis Blues. In that situation, Joel’s particular coaching style was very honest and upfront, yet a fair assessment of me as a player. I think that is something I’ve definitely used in my coaching style today.
Quick Hits
Neighborhood: I just moved to Falls Church.
Day with the Stanley Cup: I took the Stanley Cup to northwest Indiana, which is an area I lived for 10 years with my wife and son.
What did you learn as an assistant to prepare you to be a head coach?: The importance of establishing and developing relationships and giving a clear, concise message to the players was important as an assistant and also will be as a head coach.
