Canada's Womens hockey coach resigns weeks before Olympics - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Yoho · 12-13-2013, 12:24 AM

"In a stunning and unexpected turn of events, Canada’s national women’s hockey team is looking for a new head coach – with only two months to go until the start of the 2014 Winter Olympics."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle15924475/

dissentowner · 12-13-2013, 01:05 AM

I think they should have a woman coach. Hire Cassie Campbell or another former player.

killer_carlson · 12-13-2013, 04:49 AM

There is more to this story for sure. I hope the team can get it together and pull through this.

Mango · 12-13-2013, 01:37 PM

I was at the friendly last night versus the US. They were obviously all still in shock. It's the worst they've played in years.

Despite their decent record this year, the team is in need of an overhaul. It's an "old girls" club. There's too much holding on the past glory.

Wickenheiser re-injured her knee on her first or second shift last night. She desperately wants to play and make a difference on the ice, but it's not 2002 or 2006 anymore. I wonder if she would ever consider coaching? Jennifer Botterill is another option, but she's doing well in broadcasting now. The Botterill siblings have unbelievable hockey minds.

Northendzone · 12-13-2013, 03:33 PM

so are you suggesting that this puts the Caanda/US gold medal showdown in doubt?

obviously helps the Botterils when your dad is a sports psychologist and as i recall the mom had a solid resume as well.

it would be interesting to know the story behind the story.....

GirlySports · 12-13-2013, 05:07 PM

it could.. canada and the US are actually in the same group so they have to meet on Feb 12

Lose that game and Canada will have to play a QF and SF to get back at facing the US in the final.
When you're that far away, playing that many matches, you never know.

browna · 12-16-2013, 10:26 PM

Sounds as if they're hiring a coach tomorrow.

Probably won't even know the whole story, but I am guessing there's a mixture of a player mini-revolt with players going over the coach to complain to Hockey Canada. Probably over one of the player getting cut, vets not getting enough ice time or something fairly trivia in the big picture of a team game, and then Hockey Canada not backing the coach properly.

Combine that with the fact that they're under .500 playing boys Midget AAA teams and there's probably a fair bit of self doubt in that dressing room and someone has to pay the price.

Mango · 12-17-2013, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browna

Probably won't even know the whole story, but I am guessing there's a mixture of a player mini-revolt with players going over the coach to complain to Hockey Canada. Probably over one of the player getting cut, vets not getting enough ice time or something fairly trivia in the big picture of a team game, and then Hockey Canada not backing the coach properly.

It's definitely a combination of everything you've mentioned. Meghan Agosta and Shannon Szabados can only do so much.

Tessa Bonhomme getting cut was probably the biggest shock the women's program has seen in nearly a decade. At the same time, it's confusing why Caroline Ouellette is still on the team. She was never the best skater and now as one of the oldest players, her on-ice deficiencies are very glaring. I mean no disrespect; she's been a devoted member of the national team for a very long time. However, it's time to move on. I realize they play different positions, but I don't understand the justification of some players staying on.

They just don't seem to play as a five-person unit. Something is definitely missing out there. I guess we'll see what happens today with their coaching announcement.

Mango · 12-17-2013, 10:01 AM

Impressive. Kevin Dineen gets the nod for the remainder of the 2013-14 season:

http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/new...or-womens-team

Roughneck · 12-17-2013, 08:56 PM

As surprising as Church's "resignation".

While his coaching resume is definitely more impressive than speculated candidates, a guy with no experience coaching women could have some issues in such a short time frame.

browna · 12-17-2013, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roughneck

As surprising as Church's "resignation".

While his coaching resume is definitely more impressive than speculated candidates, a guy with no experience coaching women could have some issues in such a short time frame.

Yeah, the female component likely isn't for every coach at high level. Given that the talent level of hockey and skill is at a Midget AAA level, yet this is high stakes Olympic competition and the attitude and ego's and pressure are inflated as a result, it's a unique mix to have to try and coach.

But clearly he was available on short notice, which made him top of the list.

Whatever whining/drama some/any of the roster had with the other coach is silenced with this. They now have a former NHL coach, so the paper experience which seemed to be an issue previously is solved.

Outside of his life being a hassle for the next 3 or 4 months, he's getting a resume builder no matter how things end up.

Plenty of blame will go around if they don't win, and built in excuses abound, but its not likely to be on Dineen. Swords are likely to be pointed unfairly at the coach who some players didn't like, and that silly grudge threw the rest of the team, and the program, into disarray so close to the Olympics.

killer_carlson · 12-18-2013, 08:00 PM

I swear I still have not recovered from the stress of watching that 2002 women's Gold Medal game. Most stressed I have ever been for a sporting event by far. The absurd officiating for the first two periods on top of it.

I get more excited for the Women's team at the Olympics than the men. I watch both, but because the women remain essentially amateur players I find I get more excited for them when they win.

GirlySports · 12-18-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I swear I still have not recovered from the stress of watching that 2002 women's Gold Medal game. Most stressed I have ever been for a sporting event by far. The absurd officiating for the first two periods on top of it.

I get more excited for the Women's team at the Olympics than the men. I watch both, but because the women remain essentially amateur players I find I get more excited for them when they win.

Whenever that show highlights of that game I still tear up.. that was truly us against them and we fought through it.

Fire · 12-19-2013, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

it could.. canada and the US are actually in the same group so they have to meet on Feb 12

Lose that game and Canada will have to play a QF and SF to get back at facing the US in the final.
When you're that far away, playing that many matches, you never know.

Has Canada ever lost to a team that weren't the Americans in an actual tournament?

Mango · 12-19-2013, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire

Has Canada ever lost to a team that weren't the Americans in an actual tournament?

Not in any major tournaments (Olympics, Worlds), but there have been a few rare one-goal victories for Canada over Finland over the last couple of years. Those are anomalies though. The Scandinavian nations programs are working hard, but they just aren't at the levels of their North American counterparts.

GirlySports · 12-19-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire

Has Canada ever lost to a team that weren't the Americans in an actual tournament?

There's a first for everything, the US hadn't lost to anyone until the lost to Sweden in Turin.

Just saying, far away from home, on big ice, different living/eating conditions... it's not good to play more games.