[News] Flames name Geoff Ward and Ryan Huska as assistant coaches - Page 19 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

getbak · 05-31-2018, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bax

He writes every article for the Flames website, no?

Not every one, but a lot of them. He does most of the human interest type stories and usually leaves the "just the facts" stuff for the others.

Cecil Terwilliger · 05-31-2018, 01:44 PM

Can we please get this thread split when the announcement went live? I have no idea where to start reading and the first 200 posts of this thread no longer make any sense given the current title.

Ottoman Empire · 05-31-2018, 01:46 PM

Just wondering why NJ let Ward go? Was his contract up and wasn't offered a new one or did they give him the chance to pursue other opportunities first?

colbym72 · 05-31-2018, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottoman Empire

Just wondering why NJ let Ward go? Was his contract up and wasn't offered a new one or did they give him the chance to pursue other opportunities first?

Sounds like the Flames had to get permission to speak to him. Must have wanted to come out here as he interviewed for the HC job when GG was hired

FlamesFanTrev · 05-31-2018, 01:48 PM

I like the hires, and I like Huska coming up to the Big Club. Huska in particular seems like a move designed to help transition the kids up to the Flames, which I think half of CP has been clamoring for the last few years.

I wouldn't say either is a bold move, but I think its radically better then Cameron (specifically) and Gerrard (by association).

DazzlinDino · 05-31-2018, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottoman Empire

Just wondering why NJ let Ward go? Was his contract up and wasn't offered a new one or did they give him the chance to pursue other opportunities first?

I may be wrong but I think I read that it was Ward who wanted a change as he occasionally does because he is a career coach. Maybe someone can confirm? Likely saw an opportunity and a good fit, to help the Flames to that next level.

Bingo · 05-31-2018, 01:55 PM

Seems positive ...

Quote:

"Really excited when I met with Geoff and we went over our (PP) personnel and what he's going to be able to do with the group,'' says Peters. "When we talked, we were on a lot of the same pages.

"So he's gonna run it but I'm going to have some input, as well."

colbym72 · 05-31-2018, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

Seems positive ...

"I plan on not using Brouwer and always using Dougie...." YOU'RE HIRED!!!!

Toonage · 05-31-2018, 01:58 PM

Ward coming up on 960 for an interview

Kipper_3434 · 05-31-2018, 02:02 PM

Very excited about Huska, not because I know him to be a great coach, but:
1. May help young guys transition and knows how to use players from Stockton
2. Allows a bit of a shakeup on the farm and may give a shot in the arm to guys that have stalled in development, such as Shinkaruk, Klimchuck, Poirier, Wotherspoon and Kylington, who all looked close to being NHL ready in recent years. Hopefully we bring in some good centers for the farm to help our wingers a bit

AC · 05-31-2018, 02:15 PM

Ward specifically mentioned designing a PP around the strength of the players, not trying to force a strategy that doesn't work.

SuperMatt18 · 05-31-2018, 02:16 PM

Ward as the PP coach is intriguing.

In his time in Boston they were 9th on the PP over those 7 years there, and in his 3 years in New Jersey they were 10th.

If you can get a PP that is consistently top 10 that would go a long way for this team.

Geeoff · 05-31-2018, 02:20 PM

Is it weird that I'm more excited about the hiring of Ward than I was for Peters? I think we have a pretty similar make up to the Devils, so if we can end up with a top 10 power play, that would be awesome.

circle · 05-31-2018, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geeoff

Is it weird that I'm more excited about the hiring of Ward than I was for Peters? I think we have a pretty similar make up to the Devils, so if we can end up with a top 10 power play, that would be awesome.

I've got a suspicion that your name plays a part in this!

Toonage · 05-31-2018, 02:24 PM

Huska, Peters & Treliving all doing interviews this afternoon apparently

Roof-Daddy · 05-31-2018, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geeoff

Is it weird that I'm more excited about the hiring of Ward than I was for Peters? I think we have a pretty similar make up to the Devils, so if we can end up with a top 10 power play, that would be awesome.

No Geeoff, I don't think it's really weird that you are excited about the Flames hiring Geoff.

ForeverFlameFan · 05-31-2018, 02:24 PM

**Some of this is paraphrased/added words to make it understandable**

Geoff Ward on the 960:

- Intended to stay with NJ, but Treliving and Peters met with him to get him on board

- Coached against Peters at the Worlds, is their only connection.

- Did go through the process of an interview with Treliving in the HC job prior to the hiring of Glen Gulutzan.

- On player relations: says you have to be a genuine person to the players, being true to your style, and establishing relationships with all of your players, especially on a personal level. This comes from his teaching background. Work with each other on and off the ice.

- Asked about having the same responsibilities as AC from NJ to Calgary? Says that everyone needs to contribute, and as a coach you need to challenge the players to do their best. Says he needs to work with the power play and making in game adjustments, much like he did in New Jersey and Boston.

- Philosophy on PP: Look at the strengths of your players. The biggest thing that he's always thought of, is you need to make the opposing goaltender work. Will give some players the chance to play on the PP that did not really get the chance to and could perhaps earn a spot on the PP. What's interesting about the PP is that if it's hot it could be better and if it's not it can be better. Always room for improvement.

- Has already thought of certain players that have a good skill-set that should be utilized on the PP. Looking at strengths and talking to the players and having their input on how the PP can be better will help too.

- The people Ward can work with and the upcoming challenge is the reason of him switching teams. Thanks NJ for what they did for him, but he's ready for the new challenge to getting the Flames successful and building a culture here.

- Aspirations to be a HC? It's more about the relationships, team dynamics, winning, and the culture than having a HC job.

- How the hockey player has changed through his time as a coach? Hockey was a different game ten years ago. The expectations of the players were much different back then. Nowadays, the relationships with the players and how they are being treated are needed a lot more with the hockey players now. The hockey players now need to be let known what they need to do and ensured that the coach needs them and their strengths.

- Teams need to play extremely fast and high paced now. Transitions, rushes, moving the puck, supporting the attack, etc. Trying to get that here in Calgary. Watching the SCF can help show at how fast the game is.

EDIT: More background about Ward in post #381.

Phaneufenstein · 05-31-2018, 02:26 PM

I found this bit interesting:

Quote:

"Husk was going to get an opportunity with somebody this summer,'' says Peters. "I think that was pretty obvious. Popular guy. A guy I've known from his days in the Western Hockey League. I've coached against him there, ton of respect for his development of defencemen.

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/righ...ob/c-298864252

Phaneufenstein · 05-31-2018, 02:26 PM

douple post

AC · 05-31-2018, 02:27 PM

Ward's philosophy about designing the PP around the strengths and preferences of the players mimics what Peters said when he was hired.

Peters stated he wants to talk to the players and find out where they like to set up, what kind of plays they like, etc.

I'm guessing it was a key topic brought up in interviews.