[News] Flames open to idea of first female NHL coach

[hockey.modern]

Flames open to idea of first female NHL coach — if her resume stacks up
http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hock...sume-stacks-up

The Flames currently employ two females on the developmental side of their staff — Dawn Braid, a renowned skating coach who has worked with John Tavares and is the former skating coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, while Dana St.Clair is the team’s psychologist.

“You always use that as your compass — OK. What would you do if it was your daughter?” said the Calgary Flames general manager about the idea of women entering the coaching realms of professional sports.

“I’d say, ‘Hell ya.’ If that’s what you want to do . . . you dig in and don’t let anyone or anything (stop you) . . . now, you’re not going to be given anything. But you go and put your mind to it and I would support you 1,000 per cent and you should be given the opportunity IF — not because you’re a woman — your
judgment makes you the best person for the job.

“I think the rest of it (gender) is irrelevant.”

“You always need that first one to be a pioneer in a lot of ways,” Treliving said. “But there is a lot of really smart, articulate, good hockey people that are women. Honestly, I think it’s just a matter of time. If there is a women coaching in football, obviously that’s awesome . . . and I think the same will happen, at some point, in hockey.

“I think it will generate some discussion in our sport, for sure. To me, it’s a natural.”

“Every person gains respect in their own way,” Matt Stajan said. “There are a lot of coaches in the league and they have to figure out ways to gain respect from players. As a player, you have to find way to get respect from coaches. It wouldn’t be any different if there was female involved.

“As players, we’re more scared of our Moms than our Dads anyways.”

Mark Giordano thinks it will happen in the NHL soon.

“Absolutely,” said the Flames captain. “With the way women have progressed in sports over the years, I think it’s just a matter of time. Teams already have women employed by their organizations in different jobs.

“It’ll be in the near future when they’re behind the bench or in the press box coaching.”

“The world has changed a lot,” Giordano said. “I believe guys are mature enough and have enough respect. Whoever is your coach, you respect them. There’s a give-and-take; obviously there is respect on both sides. But I think players will be open to the idea.

“I’d be open to it, I know that for sure.”

“In our situation in Calgary, the first criteria would be: ‘Can you help us be better?’ Outside of that, everything else is somewhat secondary.”

[taco.vidal]

Times are changing. It wouldnt have worked 50 or even 20 years ago. It will happen and will work at some point in the future.

[CroFlames]

Bob on the chopping block?

[bluejays]

Meh, talk is cheap. I'm skeptical of all this as it comes across as grandstanding and showing how progressive he is as an executive. There are other issues at play - namely the hockey culture in the dressing room and all the verbal insults thrown around. How would a woman behind the bench take to that? Right or wrong, it's probably going to be an issue for awhile. I don't know if any of the old boys clubs in any of the big major league sports will take the chance in the near term. Is there even a black coach in hockey right now?

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Bob on the chopping block?

Mrs. 'artley being brought in to crack the whip on Bob.

Originally Posted by fleury

Is there even a black coach in hockey right now?

The NHL has had black players, black captains, Asian players / captains, First Nations players, FN coaches... at this exact time, no there isn't, but that doesn't mean there can't be, or it wouldn't be accepted. Gender is just the next barrier to overcome.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by fleury

Meh, talk is cheap. I'm skeptical of all this as it comes across as grandstanding and showing how progressive he is as an executive. There are other issues at play - namely the hockey culture in the dressing room and all the verbal insults thrown around. How would a woman behind the bench take to that? Right or wrong, it's probably going to be an issue for awhile. I don't know if any of the old boys clubs in any of the big major league sports will take the chance in the near term. Is there even a black coach in hockey right now?

He pretty much said what he had to say, regardless of his personal beliefs.

[CroFlames]

The issue is female coaches aren't the norm for male hockey in bantam, midget, junior, college or in the minor pro leagues. How is a female coach supposed to have enough experience to coach the best league in the world?

Brad is right saying that if she is qualified, she can coach. Nobody normal would disagree with that. However, the chances of finding a qualified female coach is zero.

[saXon]

I'd be all for the hiring of someone like Hayley Wickenheiser to coach this club. She's a winner and know what it takes to win. She's also tough, and is a damn smart chick.

[Locke]

Its just a matter of time for each demographic to generate enough talent to break through.

If theres a female coach I say go for it. If you have a hard time taking orders from a woman then thats tough.

I do worry that someone (looking at you here Oilers) would use the 'first female coach' as a sideshow. And thats something I would hate to see and that would drastically delay the reality of the entire prospect.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

"The Calgary Flames do not flagrantly violate human rights legislation in their hiring practices."

WOW, what a story!

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by saXon

I'd be all for the hiring of someone like Hayley Wickenheiser to coach this club. She's a winner and know what it takes to win. She's also tough, and is a damn smart chick.

Yes, let's hand the keys to a woman who has zero coaching experience.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Yes, let's hand the keys to SOMEONE who has zero coaching experience.

I think that is the proper way to phrase that.

[Azure]

If they have the talent and ability, why not?

[Looch City]

What's next, dogs and cats as assistant coaches?

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The issue is female coaches aren't the norm for male hockey in bantam, midget, junior, college or in the minor pro leagues. How is a female coach supposed to have enough experience to coach the best league in the world?

Brad is right saying that if she is qualified, she can coach. Nobody normal would disagree with that. However, the chances of finding a qualified female coach is zero.

Yup. I wonder why that is. My guy tells me that women are generally less interested in sports than men, but I look to all the female jocks and wonder why they never coached their kids hockey team. I mean, we know of soccer moms and hockey moms, but they're never coaches for some reason. So either there's sexism at the development levels in giving coaching jobs, or there's some other factor, such as the double shift, maternal duties, or other barriers

[Roast Beef]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Bob on the chopping block?

Don't you think he's a bit old for that surgery?

[vegasbound]

Originally Posted by saXon

I'd be all for the hiring of someone like Hayley Wickenheiser to coach this club. She's a winner and know what it takes to win. She's also tough, and is a damn smart chick.

I'd probably pick Danielle Goyette over Hayley. Mainly because Danielle has coaching experience (UofC Dinos womens hockey).

[YYC in LAX]

As long as she doesn't mind seeing a bunch of cocks.

[TheOnlyBilko]

Originally Posted by saXon

I'd be all for the hiring of someone like Hayley Wickenheiser to coach this club. She's a winner and know what it takes to win. She's also tough, and is a damn smart chick.

Haley is playing for the Calgary Inferno of the CWHL right now. She's pretty young to be coaching in the pros.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by YYC in LAX

As long as she doesn't mind seeing a bunch of cocks.

I guess we where all thinking it.