Blades commit to coaching staff
Head coach, assistants sign contract extensions that run through 2019-20
The Pacman logo is back — and so are the leaders of the Pac.
The Saskatoon Blades have committed to a 2020 vision with head coach Dean Brockman plus assistants Bryce Thoma and Ryan Keller all signing on until the spring of that year.
Brockman, Thoma and Keller agreed to a two-year extension that kicks in following the upcoming Western Hockey League season.
“It’s a big deal for myself, as well as my staff — it’s great to have that continuity,” Brockman said Thursday at SaskTel Centre, thanking the Priestner family owners and Blades organization “for allowing me to do something, most days, we love.”
Brockman, Thoma and Keller are coming off their first season together.
“In my mind, I thought this (extension) was important,” said Brockman, who was head coach of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Humboldt Broncos before joining the Blades, first as an assistant coach under Bob Woods.
“As a coach, if you have one year left, you’re going to coach a little bit differently than as if you have more. Just to build that continuity is big. It tells your players that I’m going to be the guy they’re going to have to listen to for the next couple of years. You just develop that deeper rapport with them. I think, for me and this organization, it was important to have some stability at this position. We’ve gone through a few coaches over the last number of years. I think it’s good that we’re going to be one unit for a while.
“I look forward to the challenges ahead.”
Saskatoon came close to grabbing the Eastern Conference wildcard playoff berth with what Blades general manager Colin Priestner describes as “an extremely young team.”
It was also a season that saw an unprecedented number of injuries to key players.
“To get as close as he did (to playoffs) with the injuries of last year, and the (injury) trouble that started from the first day of camp, it’s a testament to the work they did,” Priestner said. “We really wanted to reward these gentlemen (coaches) for the work they did. The hits kept coming, but they dealt with it very well.”
Saskatoon finished with a 2835-7-2 record, six points out of a playoff spot.
“Our players, with our feedback sessions at the end of the season, were just glowing about the development and the communication they received from Dean and his staff,” Priestner said. “It was just a very positive way to end the season even though it was a tough way to end it on the ice. We wanted to have this group of gentlemen locked up for the long term because we really believe we’re just getting better and better.
“With Dean at the helm for the coming years, it’s just going to be fantastic for our continuity. We’re really excited to secure this staff long term.”
The Blades open training camp this weekend at SaskTel Centre with sessions running Saturday, Sunday and Monday.