Geoff Ward the Flames Interim Coach

[Split98]

From the rubble that this week left the struggling team with, we do have exciting next steps for the Calgary Flames. This cloud will hopefully shift elsewhere as the discussion will likely grow - but what we have behind the bench is pretty exciting and I think we can talk about this on its own

https://twitter.com/user/status/1200469727027576832

There was a pretty good piece a few days ago with some info on Ward's journey to Calgary if anyone's interested:
https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey...mes-head-coach

So behind the bench we have:

Head Coach - Geoff Ward
Assisant Coach - Marty Gelinas
Associate Coach - Ryan Huska

What does everyone think of the crew going forward?
Any word on Conroy joining the bench?

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Split98

From the rubble that this week left the struggling team with, we do have exciting next steps for the Calgary Flames. This cloud will hopefully shift elsewhere as the discussion will likely grow - but what we have behind the bench is pretty exciting and I think we can talk about this on its own

https://twitter.com/user/status/1200469727027576832

There was a pretty good piece a few days ago with some info on Ward's journey to Calgary if anyone's interested:
https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey...mes-head-coach

So behind the bench we have:

Head Coach - Geoff Ward
Assisant Coach - Marty Gelinas
Associate Coach - Ryan Huska

What does everyone think of the crew going forward?
Any word on Conroy joining the bench?

I like it.

Conroy will be back up top and Gelinas will be permanently on the bench for the foreseeable future.

[dissentowner]

Will have to see how the season unfolds. I like Ward and I think this is a great opportunity for him. If the team does well under him this year remove the interim tag. If not you let him have the year and then find a coach in the offseason.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I think Ward was due to become a head coach. Glad he gets his opportunity with the Flames. GFG!

[Split98]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I like it.

Conroy will be back up top and Gelinas will be permanently on the bench for the foreseeable future.

...well I hope he's on the ice in practice to cheerlead at least then! Boys need it

[playmaker]

[Split98]

^ Lol, does he just turn off there?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

I think Ward was due to become a head coach. Glad he gets his opportunity with the Flames. GFG!

Geoff Ward has surprisingly limited experience as a HC, given his age and the number of years he has been coaching elite-level hockey.

· 1994–98: Head coach of Kitchener Rangers
· 1998–99: Head coach of Guelph Storm
· 1999–2000: HC of Arkansas RiverBlades in the ECHL
· 2000–01: HC of Bad Nauheim EC in DEL 2
· 2003–05: HC of Toronto/Edmonton Roadrunners
· 2006–07: HC of Iserlohn Roosters in DEL

He has been on a NHL bench for the past thirteen years, but it is certainly not a conventional journey to the top NHL job.

I hope he does well.

[Split98]

^ I do too - had no idea he was on such a journey

Originally Posted by The Athletic

For Ward, it was the culmination of a three-decade journey. The Flames players gave Ward the game puck after the win. Earlier he received text messages from players from the very first team he coached — the Jr. B Waterloo Siskins.

That was in 1994. Ward was a 32-year-old elementary school teacher. His players hoisted him on their shoulders when they won the Ontario provincial championship. At the time, Ward said his dream was to one day coach in the NHL. He spent decades journeying through hockey’s coaching ranks — through major junior, the minors and in Europe — before landing as an assistant coach in the NHL. He won a Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011.

But now, a 57-year-old father of four, Ward can add his own NHL win to his resume. It was a long time coming.

“Yeah it’s a long way,” Ward said, outside the Flames locker room. “A long, long way.”

Paywall Link: https://theathletic.com/1418021/2019...flames-season/

[Bingo]

Not sure I'd say Treliving is lucky in any of this ... but there is a bit of a break in that Ward was on the staff and was just as much a Treliving hire than a Peters assistant choice.

Interviewed when Gulutzan was hired, and then brought in with a promotion under Peters.

This would be worse if Peters best friend was stepping into the fold in his absence.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Not sure I'd say Treliving is lucky in any of this ... but there is a bit of a break in that Ward was on the staff and was just as much a Treliving hire than a Peters assistant choice.

Interviewed when Gulutzan was hired, and then brought in with a promotion under Peters.

This would be worse if Peters best friend was stepping into the fold in his absence.

Oh man, absolutely.

For the players as well.

[Vinny01]

With the dust settling I do hope this is a turning point for the team this season. I hope Ward pulls a Berube and leads this team further than they have been in a long time.

If the season continues off the rails then a huge overhaul of coaching, the team and management may occur in the summer.

[EVERLAST]

By the looks and sounds of things Conroy and Gelinas being behind the bench with Ward is a endorsement of support for Ward and the players no?

I think we see a rapid change. That last win was pretty sweet and this team played like one.

Gio Rittich and Tkachuk were beasts .....and led the way.

[TheIronMaiden]

What style is ward known for?

[transplant99]

I think it may be as simple as finding a way to get this group to just have fun playing the game again.

Seems like something that they lost as far back as last February.

If Ward can do that, i believe he will find real success moving forward.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

What style is ward known for?

He hasn't been a head coach anywhere since 2007, so I don't think anyone actually knows, and if there is a style, with the passage of so much time it's probably not especially relevant.

It does seem from the Athletic article, and with how the players responded following the Buffalo win that his players seem to like playing for him. I don't think we know much beyond that,.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I think it may be as simple as finding a way to get this group to just have fun playing the game again.

Seems like something that they lost as far back as last February.

If Ward can do that, i believe he will find real success moving forward.

I agree.

Ward has been here for over a year, so I don't expect any sort of deviation from systems or "style" of the on-ice product.

But this is a very talented group that has badly underachieved and looked completely demoralized for months now. Ward's job is getting them back to the emotional/psychological place they were in for most of last year. If the Flames get their "swagger" back, they should once again be a top team.

[EVERLAST]

All GW needs to do is get these guys swagger back.

Tkachuk could've done it alone....but its nice to have help.

That kid on this team with his infectiously awesome play with someone feeling better about a new start will help.

Wards gotta easy job.....just preach the hard work guys.....you know you have the skill....show them what I believe and your ascension is unlimited.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

He hasn't been a head coach anywhere since 2007, so I don't think anyone actually knows, and if there is a style, with the passage of so much time it's probably not especially relevant.

It does seem from the Athletic article, and with how the players responded following the Buffalo win that his players seem to like playing for him. I don't think we know much beyond that,.

Ward was the head coach of Adler Mannheim in 2014-15 when they won the DEL championship. That season isn’t on his hockeydb profile for some reason though.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Geoff Ward has surprisingly limited experience as a HC, given his age and the number of years he has been coaching elite-level hockey.

· 1994–98: Head coach of Kitchener Rangers
· 1998–99: Head coach of Guelph Storm
· 1999–2000: HC of Arkansas RiverBlades in the ECHL
· 2000–01: HC of Bad Nauheim EC in DEL 2
· 2003–05: HC of Toronto/Edmonton Roadrunners
· 2006–07: HC of Iserlohn Roosters in DEL

He has been on a NHL bench for the past thirteen years, but it is certainly not a conventional journey to the top NHL job.

I hope he does well.

Random factoid of the day. I grew up and played hockey with two friends that were on teams that he was HC.