Comets coach’s star still on the rise
Q&A: Green says he’s ‘always improving’ and wants to find right fit for first NHL coaching position Ben Kuzma
It was a summer like no other for Travis Green.
The Utica Comets bench boss heard his name pop up for National Hockey League head-coaching vacancies. And rightfully so.
From interest in Calgary, Anaheim and Colorado — and even early consideration by expansion Las Vegas — there was a common thread of curiosity in every city.
Green is a teacher and a tactician, and his tough love not only allowed the Vancouver Canucks’ American Hockey League affiliate to reach the Calder Cup final in 2015, the Comets advanced to post-season again last season in the highly competitive North Division.
Forced to use 49 players with the parent Canucks beset by injuries and anxious to debut nine rookies, the juggling act wasn’t lost on anybody at the NHL level looking for a multi-tasker.
Green was adept at balancing winning with developing talent and, on some nights, merely surviving. He opened more than a few eyes.
Fast forward to today and what does it all mean?
It means the Canucks still have their coach-in-waiting with a year remaining on his contract.
It means he’ll run the coaching show this weekend in Penticton with Comets assistants Nolan Baumgartner and Jason King at the annual Young Stars tournament.
And it means his resolve to put a whirlwind summer in the rearview mirror will be of paramount importance — even though being runner-up to the recycled Randy Carlyle for the Ducks gig was hard to stomach.
Green, a 45-year-old Castelgar native, played 101 games for the Ducks over two seasons and his 970 career games as an NHL centre would have commanded respect in Anaheim.
But the Ducks did what a lot of clubs do. They swung the coaching pendulum from the fired and affable Bruce Boudreau to a tough and tested 2007 Stanley Cup winner with the Ducks.
Here’s a Q&A as Green prepares for another season in the coaching spotlight:
How do you rationalize an off-season where you were in serious consideration for NHL head-coaching jobs in Anaheim and Colorado and didn’t land either one of them?
“Going through the process was a little bit different, but that’s what you want. When you talk about getting a chance to coach in the NHL one day, I was thankful for the interviews, and you want to find the right fit. I talk a lot about the process with my players, and it’s the same becoming a coach.”
Colorado went from considering NHL assistant coaches Bob Boughner and Kevin Dineen, as well as AHL coaches in yourself and Jared Bednar, who got the gig after Patrick Roy resigned. What does that say about the decision and where the game is going?
“The AHL has been a strong developmental league for players and coaches for a long time. The game is going in a certain direction in how you have to treat players, teach them and communicate with them. The AHL is a good breeding ground in a lot of areas for the NHL.”
Aside from winning a Calder Cup, you’ve done it all at the AHL level. What’s left to accomplish?
“You’re always improving. Your fire is always burning. Do I think I’m going to be a better coach next year? I think so. But if you talk to (Leafs coach) Mike Babcock, he’ll probably say the same thing. That’s part of the competitive spirit that coaches have. And when you’re in the hockey business, you’re always thinking about how you can make your team better and how you can coach better. It’s not a job to me. I love doing it.”
You probably don’t like the coaching scrutiny in Vancouver. The Willie Watch seems to be never ending, even with Desjardins getting a management vote of confidence last March. There’s pressure to get off to a good start and get back to the playoffs. How is your relationship with Desjardins?
“We’ve had a great relationship from Day 1, and even before he was hired (in Vancouver), he was a friend of mine and I got to know him through Mike Johnston. And that’s been one of the enjoyable things the last few years. It’s talking hockey with Willie and it’s always been great.”
Had you replaced the departed Glen Gulutzan and opted to be an assistant in Vancouver, would it have been an uncomfortable situation on the Canucks bench as a possible successor to Desjardins?
“I’ve said this from Day 1. For me it’s not a sprint. I like where I’m at. I’m preaching what the Canucks have done for me as far as support. It’s been a great two-way relationship and I feel loyal to the organization. It always comes back to me making players better and more accountable and developing winning habits. And that’s what we’re focused on in Utica.”
What or who are you most curious about this weekend in Penticton? You will have returning players and also prospects who are highly touted from the collegiate ranks.
“You’re always anxious to see players you don’t know, like (Thatcher) Demko and (Troy) Stetcher and (Olli) Juolevi, and some of the guys we had to Utica, to see what kind of summers they’ve had. It’s vital after their first year of pro to take jumps. And Cole Cassels is probably at the top of the list, because last year (abdominal injury) wasn’t easy for him. I’ve liked him from Day 1 and I hope we see parts of his game that we really love on a consistent basis. As for Demko, he’s going to play important minutes for us and I’m anxious to see him.”
The Canucks have dangled the motivational carrot with Jake Virtanen. They need his size, speed and physicality in their top nine mix, but they have a lot of right-wingers and could opt to give their first-round pick ample ice time in Utica. How would you handle that possibility?
“That’s not for me to worry about right now, but we’ve done a good job from (AHL) rookies who have struggled, to veteran guys coming down ... Whatever the Canucks decide is best, we’ll make sure they’re ready to take the next step when they do go back. It’s attitude when you come down, and we really haven’t had a guy who we haven’t enjoyed working with.”
Jason King was an NHL rookie of the month in the 2003-04 season while playing with Henrik and Daniel Sedin. The former AHL assistant in St. John’s replaces Paul Jerrard, who joined Glen Gulutzan in Calgary. How is the coaching dynamic going to change in Utica?
“Nolan (Baumgartner) knows him and met him St. John’s the last few years. He was an impressive guy when I talked to him and very knowledgeable. I felt there was good connection there and that’s important at any level. Having that connection is important. And sometimes a new voice is good.”