ICE HOCKEY SPECIAL
THE man who arrived in Glasgow only a few days ago is no Day Tripper. He’s here for a greater purpose, and is keen to see it through. John Tripp is embarking on a new journey. Residing in Scotland for the first time, the far-travelled former NHL player is taking further steps on what looks to be a promising career as a head coach. His appointment at the helm at Braehead back in May was just his second such role. For a man who, as a formidable force on the ice, pulled on a jersey for teams like the New York Rangers and the LA Kings, the decision to come to these shores to further himself in ice hockey terms may appear peculiar to those in North America unaware of the job Tripp has on his hands in Glasgow. Inheriting a position in a club but not necessarily a team from Ryan Finnerty that has almost outgrown itself in terms of expectation, the task facing the 40-year-old to take Braehead Clan to the next level in front of a loyal but success-hungry crowd is far from an easy one. “I expect success. The group that I’m bringing in should be working hard. And they will work hard,” said the man who represented Germany for over 100 caps. “It’s something I did as a player myself. It was all about the hard work, it wasn’t about the technical stuff on the ice. “Hard work pays off and if e everyone does that and plays w with their heart on their sleeve a and plays for the guy next to t them it will build good team c chemistry. If you build good t team chemistry you are going to b build a winning team.” A high turnover of players, as w well as the arrival of a new head c coach, has only added to a feelingfefefefe of a clean slate for the ClanC support. With over 1700 sesese season-ticket holders, not to m mention average home crowds northnon of 3,000, there is a burden to totototo get things right. Finnerty’s four-year spell had broughtbrbrbr lofty league positions butbubububu no silverware outwith comfortablecoco conference wins. UltimatelyUlUlUlUl their fallibility in play-offplplplp a hockey cost Finnerty the ththththththe chance to stay on in Glasgow as Dundee Stars dumped them out at the first hurdle on the back of an inconsistent season just four months ago.
NOT many players remain from that side. Seven to be exact. But while trip insists Scottish talent like Bari McKenzie and Gary Russell must play a part, you get them impression that those familiar with the pressures of playing in purple must prove their worth as much as anyone else.
“You can’t forget that building a team from scratch is not easy, even building a team in general,” said Tripp.
“You think of most successful teams whether it’s soccer or anywhere, you have to have a good core. That’s something we want to establish.
“I feel a lot of that core comes from the hometown guys, too. That’s where you start and get them prepared and ready.
“We have been on them this summer to make sure they come here in shape so there’s no questions of that. If you want a good piece of the pie they need to give all they can.
“It’s tough when you bring a lot of imports in. I’ve been in Germany where it’s the same scenario. Once you start getting