Hamilton is looking for a fresh start in Calgary
Hitmen first-year coach vows to bring ‘resurgent culture,’ writes
Call it a fresh start.
For the coach.
For the players.
And for the franchise. Steve Hamilton also hopes it’s the start of something longlasting as he brings his game as new head coach to the Calgary Hitmen.
“I want to establish a new identity with this team, a resurgent culture,” said the veteran WHL coach, a transplant of sorts from the rival Edmonton Oil Kings.
“I want to make sure that I set the tone for that and work with our staff to set the tone for that and work with the players to set the tone for that.”
In short, Hamilton wants everybody all-in for what he hopes is a magical ride — one with championship conclusions — continuing Saturday night with the Hitmen home opener against the Oil Kings at the Saddledome (7 p.m.).
“It’s a fresh start for me, too,” said Hamilton, who spent the last few WHL campaigns trying to dig the Oil Kings out of a funk following a league championship celebration in 2014. "The last few years in Edmonton, it’s been hard and heavy. You take everything personally. And it was just where we were in the cycle. We were a young, young team. So it was difficult, and I took that hard. I felt a lot of the responsibility.
“And so with the change coming to Calgary, I was able to start again.”
Admittedly, though, it’s been strange adjusting to being on the other side of junior hockey’s Battle of Alberta.
After all, he’s an Edmonton kid through and through. He was born and bred in the provincial capital. He’s the son of former Edmonton Oilers blueliner Al. And he’s been coaching in and around Edmonton for more than two decades.
“It certainly has been a change,” said Hamilton, who brings with him to Calgary his wife, Nancy, and children Samantha, Kaleigh and Ty.
"It’s the first time in my coaching career that I’ve had to pack up the family and re-establish roots in a new city with a new organization. I’ve always said I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have been able to work in my hometown. But it was time for a change, and a new opportunity presented itself, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic about how it’s played out. It’s been re-invigorating from both a professional and personal standpoint.
“It’s just change, and we’re in the business of change,” continued the 45-year-old Hamilton. "When I signed up for this gig, I guess the joke became I only work in NHL buildings in the Western Hockey League. But in reality, change happens, and I feel very fortunate to land in Calgary. It’s a great city.
“So I feel very fortunate to land here.”
Most importantly where the Hitmen are concerned, he was an assistant coach of the Oil Kings when that franchise won the WHL championship and the Memorial Cup four seasons ago.
So the personable bench boss, who takes over from one-year coach Dallas Ferguson, brings quality pedigree to the position in Calgary.
“His WHL experience speaks for itself,” said Hitmen veteran Tristen Nielsen. “He’s been a part of Edmonton for so many years. And winning that championship obviously is going to bring quite a bit to our team. Just the way he is around the guys, his big emphasis is bringing the team together, and I think it’s really working out.”
In the early days of the new WHL campaign, the vibe they get from Hamilton is an energy that’s arguably been missing from the team in recent seasons.
It’s certainly what the club needs with all the coaching changes in recent times. Hamilton, the 10th head coach in Hitmen history, is the team’s third bench boss in as many years.
“He’s just a character. He’s awesome,” Nielsen said. "I think everybody on our team loves him. Whether it’s him having play-fights with us on the ice during practices or him jumping into play ping-pong with us. He’s an unbelievable coach. He’s kept us really loose.
“He definitely understands the players, and he definitely has fun with us. But when it comes to hockey, it’s business. He’s expecting us to do nothing less than our best. He’s expecting us to be on the puck fast and expecting us to do everything he wants. He’s hard about it, but everybody really respects him and appreciates him.”
Added Hitmen goalie Carl Stankowski, “He brings a lot of energy to our team. And it kind of really reflects on us.”
They all hope it reflects in a sparkling season — and then some.
“It was imperative to hire an individual with WHL head coaching experience, and we believe Steve is a perfect fit,” said Hitmen general manager Jeff Chynoweth.
“He is an excellent communicator whose teams are known for their hard work and structure. Together with our returning coaching staff, we feel we have the right group of personnel for future success.”