09.01.10 — 04:07 pm
Waibel Steels Himself for New Job: Former Gopher promoted to head coach of USHL team
by Fiona C. Quick

Baudette native and Former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher forward Jon Waibel will be named the new head coach of the USHL Chicago Steel. Current head coach Steve Poapst was named Assistant Coach of the AHL Rockford IceHogs Wednesday and Waibel, who served as an assistant coach with the Steel, will be promoted to head coach & general manager of the USHL club. An official release is expected soon.

The 27-year-old Waibel has been an assistant with the Steel for four seasons; the 2010-11 season will be his fifth year with the team. He has been coaching since leaving the Gophers where he won two NCAA National Championships. Previously he was an assistant with Buffalo High School and also served as coach with the USA Hockey Select festivals. Quick Facts interviewed Waibel in depth for a feature in Minnesota Hockey Journal "Catching Up With Jon Waibel" where he spoke about his desire to move forward in his coaching career.

Speaking exclusively to Minnesota Hockey Journal Waibel said he was excited about the opportunity to take over as head coach of the Steel. "It is an exciting step for me. I am ready for the challenge," he said. "Getting to work with Steve for three, four years has been incredible; he has a lot to do with me being named head coach."

Asked if helming a USHL team was something he imagined for himself after he won two NCAA Championships the former USNTDP standout replied, "You know, I always wanted to be a coach. I ended up getting my first opportunity here from (former Steel head coach) Chris Imes. I was in between what I wanted to to. I ended up housing two kids and making little money as an assistant that first year. But I experienced it and stuck with it, and it is five years later and I'm head coach," said Waibel. "I've learned a lot."

University of Minnesota head coach Don Lucia said of Waibel's promotion "This is a great opportunity for him.  I don't think there is a better training ground for coaches than the USHL. He's been paying his dues."  When asked if he thought he saw head coaching potential in his former player Lucia said "I could see him becoming a coach because he's hard working and passionate and those players are usually the best coaches."

Waibel's former Assistant coach with the Golden Gophers Mike Guenzel was genuinely happy for his former player "Good for him. I probably didn't think that was his career path when he was playing, no but this is a prestigious opportunity. He discovered that this was his calling, I think he'll do a good job. It is going to be different for him, he's been one of the guys, now he has to be leader of the men."

When asked what skills as a player Waibel will be able to translate to his role as Steel head coach Guentzel said "I think Jon was always an elite player, and then was put into a different role and made some adjustments. Sometimes when you're the top player, you become more conscious as a role player, you analyze the game. He's got a pretty good idea of how to relate to these kids, the process of the league, the adjustment, he's not that far removed. He had success as a player in college, he's lived it and he's got a good rapport with college scouts."

Speaking of college scouts, would one of those be Guentzel in his new role as Assistant Coach at University of Nebraska Omaha? "I expect him to call me now. He's going to call me and I'm going to be calling him.  I'm really happy for him," said Guentzel.

The new Steel head coach anticipates a solid season for the team he takes over from his former mentor. " We have a good core group of guys coming back, not flashy, but we should win more. (Minnesotans) Windle & Mattson came in early to skate, they're motivated, character kids."

Of the team's prospects Waibel is optimistic, "I'm expecting to have successful season. I think we improved in areas we needed to improve in. We returned 14 or 15 guys, we did that for a reason, after last year we struggled for a while." said the former Golden Gopher. "There are a lot of things Chicago offers that others don't. Our crowds are getting better and better, our organization has turned the corner, we've had some high profile players. As long as I do my job I think we have the ability to take it to the next level," he added.

Waibel will be tasked to fill his own assistant position soon. When asked if he had anyone in mind the coach young coach mentioned former goaltender Leigh Mendelson. Mendelson most recently served as interim head coach with the Norfolk Admirals while Jim Johnson was with Tampa Bay, and has served several years as an Assistant in USHL previously. Said Waibel "I have had a few conversations with him, he wants to move to Chicago. I need somebody older, I think it is important to have the balance. I need somebody who has experience in the league. I would love to hire a friend and give them the opportunity I was given, but I have to look at what is needed for the team. He knows the ropes and knows what is needed." Waibel added, however, that nothing has been made official and the search process has just begun, but decisions will be made quickly.

After spending two days painting the Steel's new locker room ready for the season, manual labor for which he self admittedly was out of practice, Waibel is looking forward to his new position. He is committed to Chicago, the city and the team, and one thing he will bring to his position, his patented enthusiasm.

"I'm excited," repeated Waibel.

Poapst's name cropped up several times this summer for the dozens of minor league coaching vacancies. The former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman is joining the AHL affiliate of the Hawks, not having to relocate his family as Rockford is only 85 miles from the Chicago metro area. Poapst appeared in a total of 307 NHL games registering eight goals, 26 assists and 173 penalty minutes with four different teams and spent eight seasons playing in the AHL playing, 454 total games. He won the 1994 Calder Cup in Portland and has been inducted in the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame. Prior to taking over for Chris Imes with the Chicago Steel, Poapst coached youth hockey in Chicago when he retired from the NHL. He was named USHL Coach of the year after his first season with the Steel.

The Steel's highest profile player produced by both Poapst & Waibel is Columbus Blue Jackets first round draft pick John Moore. Waibel was in attendance at the draft with the Moore family. Other players have included both Chelios boys, Jake & Dean, as well as intriguing Russian Andrey Kuchin, a player to watch. Minnesota players on the initial 25-man Steel roster this year include Hermantown's Adam Krause, Sam Windle of Maple Grove, Danny Mattson of Minneapolis, Michael Sit and Steven Fogarty of Edina.

The Chicago Steel's first preseason game is scheduled September 10th against Muskegon.

 

Birkholz Leaving Gophers
by Fiona C. Quick

Josh Birkholz and his father met with Don Lucia today let him know Josh was leaving the Golden Gopher Hockey program for the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League.

He said it was something he had been considering for some time and was an agonizing decision to make.

"This was an unbelievably hard decision to make. A lot of long nights lot of long talks with my family and people around me that I feel I can trust," said Birkholz. "It wasn't a decision that I made in a week or two weeks, it has been on my mind and I have been considering it for a while now. It was obviously was not an easy decision to make whatsoever."

Birkholz said he did not make the decision in reaction to his impending suspension for violation of team rules.

"That was not the catalyst for the decision, this was something I had been considering for a while," he said. "Yes I made a mistake, I violated a team rule, that is something I deeply regret and it is something that I apologize for, but I can't dwell on the past and I can't let something like that define me, all I can do is control what I do in the future."

His future is what Birkholz was considering most when he made the choice to leave the Gopher program.  After a Freshman season that included 36 games where he scored five goals and one assist the third round draft pick of the Florida Panthers was looking to improve his chances of eventually playing professional hockey.

Said the former Fargo Force player "I feel this is the direction I want to head because I will be the most comfortable there it will be the best place for me to further my career as a hockey player. For me personally Everett is the best place to be for where I want to end up which is the National Hockey League."

When asked what makes the WHL better for him at this time than college hockey Birkholz explained "It is the style of play, the pro style, the lifestyle. You are playing 72 games a season and have a National Hockey League playoff format."

The former private school standout was quick to add "I can still go to school, still do online classes, take courses in the summer. Obviously education is very important to me, I went to Blake High School and school has always been important to me. Its just that this decision is based on hockey and that's it."

Birkholz was not unaware of the significance of the timing of his decision, corresponding with the professional signing of teammate Nick Leddy, and the possible negative implications it could have on the program, but he was quick to point out that his was a personal decision.

"I have nothing bad to say about the Gopher Hockey program. Obviously it is a great program with a lot of success and will continue to have a lot of success. Its just for me personally, this is something that I needed to do. I wish them nothing but the best I know that they'll have a great season. There are a lot of great guys in that locker room that will have great careers & will be very successful and I wish them nothing but the best."

When asked what it meant playing for the Gophers Birkholz said "It was obviously unbelievable having the opportunity to play for the University of Minnesota.  It may be cliche but I'll say it to the day I die that it is something you dream about as a kid watching guys like Keith Ballard all these other guys that had successful careers at the University of Minnesota, and beyond, and something I was looking forward to.  It was a good experience. It is just at this point it is time for me to move on and go to Everett."

In Everett he will be playing for former North Stars player Craig Hartsburg. "I have heard he is a good guy," said Birkholz"  "I'm looking forward to working with him and having him teach me and make me the best hockey player I can be."

For as difficult a decision as the choice to leave the Gophers was to make for Josh Birkholz, he is confident where he wants to go in his hockey career.

"For me, personally, Everett is the best place to be for where I want to end up, which is the National Hockey League."
 

Gordie Roberts:
Wild for Minnesota, Scouting for Himself
by Fiona C. Quick

Former North Star & Minnesota Moose defenseman Gordie Roberts told Quick Facts that he would be interested in the Minnesota Wild Assistant Coaching vacancy left by Mike Ramsey. Said Roberts "I do have interest. I haven't gone through an interview process yet but I contacted Chuck Fletcher [about the vacancy]," he said. "I'm kind of in a holding pattern right now waiting to hear."
 
Roberts was most recently a professional scout with the Montreal Canadiens organization but spent time as an assistant coach & director of player development with the Phoenix Coyotes, and was a player/assistant with the International Hockey League Chicago Wolves.   
 
When he made the move from coaching to scouting his children were in high school. "I had to make a decision, I took the more secure route," said Roberts, preferring to be home more often and have more job security. But now that his children have moved on he would like to return to coaching, something he said he never really left.
 
"I never really put the whistle away," he said, referring to the summer development camps he ran with Kevin Zeigler.
 
The former North Star has made his home in Minnesota "This is my home base, I would like to stay in this area, if the opportunity presented itself"
 
"I have a lot of confidence in my ability. From my end it would be a nice fit," referring to the Wild assistant position.
 
Roberts continues to network, however, joking about the lack of agents scrambling to find jobs for coaches in hockey unless you are one of the "big guys".  He has looked into NHL & other positions in cities outside of Minnesota and will continue to explore all coaching opportunities. The former scout is scouting for himself this time.

 

Chuck Weber coming
to St. Paul?

Interview with Cincinnati Cyclones Head Coach & GM Chuck Weber

by Fiona C. Quick

Cincinnati Cyclones head coach Chuck Weber led his team to the 2010 ECHL Kelly Cup Championship doing what has been rarely done in sport, coming back from a 3-0 series deficit against Reading. But that wasn't a new feat for him, he was with the coaching staff of the IHL Orlando Solar Bears when, with players Todd Richards & Dave Barr, they also came back from down three games in a series, something only seven hockey teams have ever accomplished. He also won a Turner Cup with the Wild coaching duo in Orlando.  Due to Weber's success with the Cyclones where he has two Kelly Cup titles & Division finals appearances, he is in high demand for several AHL head coaching vacancies this summer.
 
Said Weber "I have been very fortunate that I have been presented many opportunities,"  adding he would not be able to disclose with which teams he interviewed.
 
But today when the Minnesota Wild announced that Mike Ramsey had resigned his longtime position as Assistant Coach of the National Hockey League team, another opportunity could be presenting itself for the Lockport, New York native.
 
During an interview with Quick Facts, Weber said he was unaware of Ramsey's departure as he had been in meetings this morning.  Asked whether he would be interested in the position Weber said "I definitely would be if Todd had interest."  
 
Weber believes he would be ready for a position in the National Hockey League. "In that situation I think I would be. Other coaches have made the move from the ECHL to the NHL successfuly like Dave Farrish with Anaheim."
 
Todd Richards and Chuck Weber knew each other with the Solar Bears but were brought in to the Milwaukee Admirals coaching staff as assistants with former Bears head coach Peter Horachek.  Weber was an assistant coach in the IHL, AHL and ECHL for several years before accepting the head coaching position with the Cincinnati Cyclones in 2006.
 
Weber said he keeps in touch with Richards regularly. "He is a great resource. We view the game similarly and he is a great person with a wonderful family."
 
After coaching in South Carolina for the past four years Weber was asked whether he would be ready to accept Minnesota winter. "I lived in Buffalo, I'm used to winter" he joked, saying Milwaukee wasn't exactly warm either.
 
While he hasn't spoken with Todd Richards or the Minnesota Wild yet, Weber would definitely be interested in the Assistant coaching vacancy.
 
***************************
 
QF also took the opportunity to ask Weber about the Minnesota players on his Kelly Cup winning team. Reid Cashman recently signed in Europe, Mark Van Guilder was up and down with Cincinnati & Milwaukee & Jimmy Kilpatrick was one of the leading scorers.
 
Of Cashman: "At this point in his career it was a good opportunity for him to go to Europe. He'll have a long successful career over there."
 
Of Van Guilder: "He wasn't with us much but he made a big impact."
 
"Our Minnesota guys really stepped up"

 

Minor Considerations
AHL to NHL not such a big jump for coaches anymore

Longtime readers of Quick Facts know that this space has always been used suggest that NHL teams should provide the opportunity for a fresh new perspective in the coaching ranks rather than recycling the same old NHL names.  It seems that in the last few years that trend has finally set in and the even the old guard media has jumped on board as well.  It wasn't but last year that I suggested that Scott Gordon would be a top candidate for an NHL vacancy and some writers didn't even know who he was, the same story played out with Davis Payne or even Minnesota Wild head coach Todd Richards.  Take a look around the NHL and you will see names of coaches who were once AHL/IHL head coaches: Mike Babcock, Dave Tippett, Randy Carlyle, Bruce Boudreau, Dan Bylsma, Joe Sacco, Claude Julien, Todd McClellan.  Not long ago being a coach in the minor leagues gave one little respect from General Managers and certainly the media but one look at the roster of an NHL team and you will see that the majority of those players were developed in the minor leagues or systems like it.  Quite frankly, who better to lean an NHL team than someone who understands what it took to get there just as muich as the players?  
 
The coaches in the minor leagues today are the ones re-inventing the game with the new rules, which are often implemented first in the lower leagues. And coaches in the minors have to be more nimble with their rosters with the nature of recalls and more strict roster rules and salary caps than even the NHL faces. Some minor teams are lucky if they have ten players they see all season.  Working with developing younger players, keeping veteran players happy, accomodating injured players, bringing in new European players, that is what today's AHL coaches do, all with a brutal travel schedule. If they can do that, and do it well and win, is it any wonder the NHL General Managers have finally opened their eyes and realized they are the future of the NHL?
 
Quick Facts has been mentioning several names for years as candidates for NHL coaching positions, Todd Richards was always at the forefront, Scott Gordon was another, they have both been hired by NHL teams.  Three other names, Scott Arniel, Paul MacLean and Kevin Dineen all seem to be under consideration for current NHL vacancies.  

Kevin Dineen is a perfect fit for New Jersey Devils with his previous style of play and coaching and the way he works he is the kind of person Lou Lamoriello will lean to if he believes John MacLean needs more experience as a head coach in the AHL.  Paul MacLean, who was going to be considered for St. Louis had Davis Payne not succeeded there as a replacement should be interviewed for Atlanta and Tampa Bay as well as Columbus.  MacLean's methods would be good for Atlanta or Tampa Bay.  Arniel is a sure bet for Columbus, they will fight for him but so will Atlanta.  Arniel is similar to Todd Richards in his methodology, desire to win, educational style, which both teams need but Columbus will likely win with the offers.

While previous NHL coaches like Andy Murray, Kevin Constantine, Ted Nolan, Bob Hartley and the like will no doubt be looked at, the minor leagues are where the new NHL coaches are being discovered.
 
Names to look for in discussions for NHL coaching positions (mostly head coaching jobs, but some for NHL assistant positions):
 
Worcester Sharks head coach Roy Sommer who served as head coach for the Kentucky Thoroughblades prior to joining the Worcester Sharks. He also served as assistant coach for the San Jose Sharks. Before joining the San Jose organization Sommer coached the Richmond Renegades was named Coach of the Year and a league record 105 points in capturing the Brabham Cup & Riley Cup. Sommer has also had stints in the IHL. As a player he has won both a Calder Cup & Turner Cup. Sommer is currently the longest-tenured coach in the American Hockey League. According to the team, in 08-09 the Sharks featured 21 players on their roster that had spent time under Sommer’s tutelage through the developmental system.
 
Don Lever, now head coach of the Chicago Wolves, won the Calder Cup as head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs where he also won the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as coach of the year. He has been an assistant coach for three NHL teams including the Buffalo Sabres in 1999 when they lost to the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup playoffs. After taking over for a Don Granato and a floundering Wolves team this season he has Chicago vying for a Calder Cup again.  
 
Ken Gernander, Coleraine native and head coach of the Rangers' affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack. Gernander has taken a team decimated by the parent team with a derth of prospects or injuries and each year brought them to vie for a playoff spot or into the playoffs each season as coach. According to his bio, overall in two seasons as the team’s bench boss, Gernander’s record stands at 96-47-5-12, a .653 mark.  Ideal situation for Gernander would be if there was changing of the guard in New York and Schoenfeld took over GM duties from Glen Sather and Gernander was able to join New York coaching staff as assistant but not likely as long as Tortorella is head coach.  
 
New Hope's Jim Johnson was hired by Brian Lawton as an assistant coach for the Norfolk Admirals this season and after a dismal start he was moved into the head coaching position. The team went on a 13-game win streak. With the turmoil in Tampa Lawton brought Johnson up to the Bolts as an assistant, removing Wes Walz, but Johnson was never able to take the ice or fully take the position to assist Tocchet.  It was a political hot potato of a situation that put Johnson in the middle, but that shouldn't affect analysis of his talents as a coach and what he was able to do in Norfolk or previously with the players in USA hockey.  Johnson developed FlexxCoach software to help teach & develop coaches. Particularly for a team with a heavy youth base to start, or one integrating a new system, Johnson would be uniquely suited.
 
Chris McSorley was extremely successful in the IHL, as well as in Europe, and as some may remember, even in Roller hockey, but his dream has always been to be an NHL head coach.  He has a unique perspective that brings both a fire & physicality with a European sensibility of speed and finesse, his name should be brought up in conversation at least.  And the NHL and media need a personality like McSorley in the coaching ranks.
 
Dave Farrish, formerly an assistant coach to Herb Brooks with the NJ Devils and extremely successful coach in the ECHL with Pensacola & former Wild affiliate Louisiana Ice Gators where he was named Coach of the Year. He has held IHL, AHL head coaching positions in the past as well and is now an assistant coach with Randy Carlyle in Anaheim.  
 
Bob Woods was Bruce Boudreau's assistant coach with the Hershey Bears when the two won the Calder Cup Championship. Then Boudreau was hired as head coach of the Washington Capitals so Woods was promoted to head coach and he proceeded to repeat as Calder Cup winner.  Then he received the call to become an assistant coach to Boudreau in Washington.  Woods was also a player/assistant in Mississippi with Boudreau where he won a Kelley Cup Championship. Woods has won a Calder Cup as a player, assistant and coach with Hershey alone and as a player set records in the ECHL as a defenseman.
His name and his style of coaching has been successful and his name will be mentioned the same way that all the young successful player/coaches are being mentioned, the question is whether Washington will want to let him go.
 
Don Jackson, Minneapolis native, a former North Star & Stanley Cup Champion with Edmonton Oilers has held ECHL & IHL head coaching jobs.  He was an NHL assistant coach with Ottawa, Chicago and Pittsburgh and has been a head coach in the Deutche Eishockey Liga for Eisbären Berlin the last few years and lead the Polar Bears to consecutive championships. He should certainly be considered for an NHL head position.
 
And while the AHL coaches are promoted to the NHL bench boss position or move to NHL assistants, they leave a void that needs to be filled.  There are just as many talented ECHL coaches ready to fill their positions in the AHL.  Names like Nick Vitucci, ECHL Hall of Famer who has served as head coach & GM in Toledo. Derek Laxdal, Head Coach Idaho Steelheads named ECHL Coach of the Year 2010. Chuck Weber head coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones who ranks fourth all-time among ECHL coaches in wins during the start of his coaching career in the league.  Gord Dineen, assistant coach Toronto Marlies, has worked as both a head coach and an assistant coach in professional hockey since the 1999-00 season & as a defenceman, Dineen competed in 18 seasons of professional hockey.  Steve Martinson, has never missed the postseason in 14 seasons as a head coach. Marty Raymond led the Condors to the Kelly Cup Playoffs the last five years. Derek Wilkinson at 35 years old is one of the youngest active head coaches in the ECHL & has more wins than any other coach in team history for the Charlotte Checkers. Jeff Pyle is third all-time among ECHL coaches with 385 career regular season wins and 716 career regular season games.
 
And that is just a surface scratch of the AHL and ECHL, not even considering the talented coaches available in the CHL or further examination of assistants in the AHL or NHL or perhaps NCAA coaches who would like to make the jump to the pros (Mike Eaves, Dave Hakstol perhaps?) General Managers will certainly look to the Canadian Major Juniors, as well they should, but the success of former AHL (and IHL) head coaches cannot be refuted, and that trend shows no sign of slowing any time in the near future.  For USA Hockey fans, the other side effect of the increase in AHL promotions is that there are a larger number of American coaches being added to the coaching ranks.  And the real bonus is that finally new fresh breath is has blown across the ice of the NHL with the systems and methodology so that the game and how players are utilized is new and exciting to watch again.
 
Quick Aside:
Names to consider for Vacant Tampa GM position:  Dave McNab (Anaheim Assistant GM), Brian MacLellan (Washington Capitals Assistant GM), Doug Yingst (Hershey Bears GM), Wayne Thomas (San Jose Sharks Assistant GM).
 
Quick Take:
While North American minor league coaches are the natural first choice there is no reason why European coaches should not be considered for head jobs in the AHL or assistant NHL positions and certainly eventually NHL positions. There have been two European head coaches in my memory, Alpo Suhonen of the Chicago Blackhawks and Ivan Hlinka of the Pittsburgh Penguins.  They should be considered again.  Uwe Krupp comes to mind as does former North Star Ulf Dahlen. In the future, players like Niklas Lidstrom, Bobby Holik, Valerie Bure, Teemu Selanne hopefully enter the coaching ranks and go behind the benches of the NHL, the European perspective is sorely needed in the diverse NHL of today.
 

Winner's Edge
Team rallies around fallen teammate

On Saturday April 24th Jackson Sabo's father Kevin was driving him to play in the Warrior Cup tournament at the Dakota Ice Arena.  They were driving down 185th from Interstate 35 from Prior Lake probably talking about the game and Jackson's MN Edge 2000 teammates and how they would compete, or maybe they were talking about the Stanley Cup Playoffs, when in an instant everything changed. The red truck Kevin Sabo was driving was hit by a woman driving a white Escalade coming from the direction of Legends Golf course and both Kevin and Jackson were taken to Hennepin County Medical Center.  Several of Jackson's teammates passed the accident scene on the way to their big game, not thinking it was their friend and his father in the car.  

The players played and won the first game not knowing where their friend was. Team Coach Richard Zemlak relayed what happened next.

"We had played the morning game without knowing where Jackson was. After the game the coaches had found out the terrible news about the Sabos. We went into the locker room and told the kids about the sad news of Jackson and his father. All the kids were shocked to hear what happened to Jackson.

The remains of the truck Kevin and Jackson were in during the crash.

Perhaps a fleeting consideration was made to not continue playing in the tournament, but children are resilient and they played on, for their injured teammate.  Coaches Richard Zemlak, Chad Schumacher, Sean Foley, and Joel Owens prepared their MN Edge 2000 team to make it all the way to the Championship game.

Said Coach Zemlak "All the coaches agreed that we wanted to dedicate the rest of the games to Jackson who lay in a hospital bed injured"

So Team MN Edge 2000 put number 12 stickers on their helmets to honor their hospital-bound teammate and took the ice.

"Before we start every game and every period it's a tradition that we always yell out 1-2-3 Edge!. That day we changed it to 1-2-3 Jackson!" said Zemlak.  "The kids played their best games of the year."

MN Edge 2000 skated to victory in the Championship game against Team Warrior for the Warrior Cup Trophy. The players then asked the tournament director to name Jackson the torunament MVP over the PA system to all the fans in the stands, which he did.  Following the game, the team also asked their coaches & parents if they could celebrate their win by going to the hospital to visit their injured teammate, sharing the trophy with him. The players gathered around the hospital bed and posed with their chalice and celebrated their victory as a team, with Jackson, better than any celebratory pizza party to them.

"As a coach it's my responsibility to teach kids about hockey and life lessons," said Coach Richard Zemlak. "What I realize is what these young kids are teaching me about the game of hockey and what life is all about."

Fortunately, though Jackson's injuries were serious and will keep him off the ice for some time, he was expected to be released from hospital Monday. Kevin Sabo was not as lucky.  Following the accident he was placed on a ventilator and was in critical condition, already having undergone two surgeries since Saturday, and will have a long recovery ahead.  But the Sabos have the support of the entire MN Edge 2000 Team and and as they have shown, that is one pretty strong group of kids to have behind you. Winners in more than just the game of hockey.

 

FIVE ELITE LEAGUE ALUM IN CENTRALSCOUTING’S TOP 25

Final list includes 22 skaters, one goalie from Upper Midwest Elite League

New Hope, Minn. – Five of the top 25 players on the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting Service (CSS) final rankings are former players in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League.

CSS released its final pre-draft rankings today, and Shattuck-St. Mary’s Emerson Etem – currently playing with Medicine Hat in the Western Hockey League – is ranked #8 on the North American Skaters list. Just behind him at #9 is Derek Forbort of Duluth East – currently playing with the National Team Development Program – and Blaine High School’s Nick Bjugstad at #13. Rounding out the top 25 are Tyler Pitlick of MSU-Mankato at #18 and Warroad’s Brock Nelson at #25.

Other current Minnesota high school players in the top 50 are Mark Alt of Cretin-Derham Hall at #37, and Minnetonka teammates Justin Holl (#47) and Max Gardiner (#49).

Zane Gothberg of Thief River Falls is #6 on the North American goaltender list.

“It’s gratifying to see that Central Scouting recognizes the talent that competes in the Elite League, and we’re very excited for these players,” said John Russo, founder and Commissioner of the Elite League. “The Elite League will continue to work hard to provide young hockey players with an environment in which they can improve and display their skills as part of moving on to the next level.”

In last June’s NHL Entry Draft, 17 Elite League players were selected, including first-round choices Nick Leddy (#16 by the Minnesota Wild) and Jordan Schroeder (#22 by Vancouver). This year’s NHL draft will take place June 25-26 in Los Angeles.

A complete list of Elite League players on the CSS list is attached.

The Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League is a non-profit hockey league designed to provide high-level competition supplementing the regular high school hockey season. For more information, and draft-day updates, visit the league’s website at www.hselitehockey.com.

Upper Midwest High School Elite League Players on NHL Central Scouting Service Final Rankings List of April 7, 2010

Rank Name Team Position
8 ETEM, EMERSON MEDICINE HAT RW
9 FORBORT, DEREK USA U-18 D
13 BJUGSTAD, NICK BLAINE C
18 PITLICK, TYLER MSU-MANKATO C
25 NELSON, BROCK WARROAD C
37 ALT, MARK CRETIN-DERHAM D
47 HOLL, JUSTIN MINNETONKA D
49 GARDINER, MAX MINNETONKA C
54 BASARABA, JOE SHAT.-ST.MARY'S RW
81 CLARK, JASON SHAT.ST.MARY'S C,LW
94 HARSTAD, AARON GREEN BAY D
104 GAEDE, MAX WOODBURY RW
109 HERBERT, CALEB BLOOMINGTON-JEFF. C
118 FAUST, JOE BLOOMINGTON-JEFF. D
145 STERN, BRETT CENTENNIAL D
165 MULLIN, JAMES SHAT.-ST. MARY’S RW,C
166 ISACKSON, CHRIS ST. THOMAS RW
182 CASTO, CHRIS HILL-MURRAY D
187 FULTON, TYSON BRECK RW
198 HENDRICKSON, GARRETT VIRGINIA C
200 POLK, JAMES SHAT.-ST.MARY'S RW
205 PROCHNO, ANDREW MINNETONKA D

Goalies
6 GOTHBERG, ZANE THIEF RIVER FALLS

 

Photos of the Year?

#14 Seth Barnes of Wayzata being checked by #27 Tom Holtzman of Edina on February 6th at Braemar Arena in Edina.  Barnes was okay after the play and the game resumed after a delay to replace the glass with Wayzata topping Edina 3-2.  Photos courtesy of Tess Cameranesi, mother of Wayzata player Tony Cameranesi.  


 

Seven Seconds

7 Seconds is the name of one of the best punk bands of the 80's.  7 Seconds is the name of a very bad Wesley Snipes movie. There huckster weightloss program called 7 Seconds to a Perfect Body. There is a myth that men think about sex every 7 seconds.  Such a short period of time, but seven seconds is all it took for University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Jacob Cepis and Tony Lucia to score two goals, setting a new school record for fastest goals scored, breaking the previous record of eight seconds set by Lance Pitlick and Larry Olimb in 1989 against Colorado College.

Minnesota won that 1989 game over the Tigers 5-2 and it was the two record-breaking goals seven seconds apart that sealed the 5-1 victory for the Gophers over North Dakota on Saturday.  

When informed the previous fastest goal record was against Colorado, Lucia, the former Tigers' head coach quipped "I'm glad I wasn't there then."

He agreed that those two goals were likely what gave Minnesota, which has struggled to score goals all season, a reward that had otherwise escaped them.

"The momentum got shifted after we scored the second goal." said Lucia.  "I don't know how much longer after we got the three and four after that, it didn't seem very long, three or four minutes. All of a sudden we get those back to back goals and we have a four goal lead."

It was such a large lead Lucia joked ""We didn't know what to do with it, it has been so long since we scored goals."

Though the game may have been sealed in seven seconds the head coach agreed the Gophers received a bit of assistance from the hockey gods for a change.

"Games are funny sometimes you need a little puck luck too. " said Lucia, referring to a few of the lucky bounces, especially on freshman Zach Budish's goal and a save by Alex Kangas after a deflection.

What has changed during the recent 7-1-1 surge by Minnesota seems to be a more consistent effort on the ice.  The head coach agreed.

"We're playing better hockey. We just have to try and give ourselves a chance each and every night we play. We're going to lose some games, we understand that, we just have to give ourselves a chance to win, give a good effort night in and night out" he added  "and I think we're doing that."

Darcy Zajac, who scored the lone goal for North Dakota in the loss seemed to agree. "They have a lot of skill up front. We didn't match their intensity," he said.

An intensity that had been missing often during the first half of the season.

"It was a real good effort on our part, it was a much needed win," said the head coach. But he wasn't thinking that the weekend was a major turning point for the team.

"I don't think it proves anything except that we have to beat a bunch more," said Lucia. ""We'll take our three points on the weekend and get ready for St. Cloud next week.  It's one at a time."

Time. Maybe that time can keep coming in seven second increments. It seems to be a lucky number now for the Gophers.


 

One more injury too much for Ben Eaves as he calls it a career

You wouldn't blame Ben Eaves if he had thrown in the towel on his hockey career years ago.  His injury list reads like a full week of an Orthopod's patients:
 
2002- Rib Injury (Boston College)
2004- Cracked Patella (Boston College)
2004 - Patellectomy (Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins)
2005 - Arthroscopic Surgery - Knee (Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins)
2007 - Fractured Thumb
2008 - Ruptured Thumb Tendon & Fractured Ribs (Ilves)
2009 - Adductor Strain & Separated Acromioclavicular Joint (Milwaukee Admirals)
 
After this last setback, the separated shoulder, Eaves, who signed a contract with the Nashville Predators and was playing with the Milwaukee Admirals at the time,  has finally given in to the injury gods. "I think this last time it happened I finally had enough," he said. "Since the (first knee) surgery I don't think I played over two months without an knee incident or another injury to break up the schedule, which has been a little frustrating."
 
The former Boston College Eagle, NCAA All American and Hobey Baker finalist has formally announced his retirement from competitive hockey, but with few regrets.
 
Said the Minneapolis native and former Shattuck standout, "I think I took pride in my game as much as every other player, but when I decided to come back in Finland after missing two years I really wanted to know if I could be a good or great pro. I didn't know if I had what it took to be successful at the next level and I needed to know for myself."
 
Eaves indeed proved that with a highly successful playoff run with Ilves last season, which earned him the opportunity to sign with Nashville this summer.  But in training camp, a strained adductor was the start of the derailment and then the shoulder injury was the final straw.
 
"I think it is time for me to move on now, as I always believed I had bigger things to do in my life after hockey," said Eaves.
 
Eaves will be pursuing his PhD this summer and wants to work toward a career in coaching and mentoring with Shjon Podein's new venture,  Integrity Sports International, a new training camp concept that brings the fun back to hockey.
 
"I will miss playing but I am even more excited about the future potential to grow and serve others," said Eaves.

 

Hockey & Influenza - What you should know

At least four National Hockey League Players have had confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza: Quintin Laing (Washington Capitals) Lasislav Smid (Edmonton Oilers), Peter Budaj (Colorado Avalanche) and Doug Weight (New York Islanders) have all been diagnosed with the virus.  All four athletes have missed time with their teams. In Canada, a minor player has died from complications of the H1N1 strain.
 
The mentality of a hockey player is to play through illness and injury, "suck it up" as some may say.  But, says Dr. William O. Roberts, a Professor in the University of Minnesota Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, there is a risk to playing while infected. "The biggest risk is making the rest of your team sick, if they get sick you don't have a team," he said.
 
In seriousness, however, the physical risks to a player can be great. "There is a risk it can attack the muscle and Myocarditis can attack the heart, that is one of the main reasons we tell people not to play with a fever or muscle aches."
 
Part of the reason influenza, and especially the H1N1 strain is so worrisome for hockey players is because it is so contagious. Dr. Roberts calls this "The six-foot rule." Everyone within six feet of a person infected with the influenza virus, either seasonal flu or H1N1, is at risk for becoming infected as well.
 
Said the Professor "Having played ice-hockey for years and years you're rarely more than six feet away from an opposing player when you're playing hard so all the players you're playing against in that six-foot radius are at risk for picking it up just by coughing and sneezing."
 
"It is not transmitted in sweat; the virus is in the droplets that come out when you sneeze & cough, when you breathe hard, spitting, those kinds of things," he said.
 
When asked to speak about potential risks to the crowd if infected players take the ice, or conversely if an infected fan was in the crowd, what were the risk to the players Dr. Roberts referred back to the "Six Foot Rule."
 
He added "With hockey you're kind of in a glass cage so there is little risk.  If the player got checked over the boards they would potentially be at risk, as long as you're not hanging over the boards you're pretty safe."
 
"The crowd is probably more at risk from Zamboni propane fumes than the air circulation than from an infected player on the ice," said Dr. Roberts, unless they come within six-feet of an infected fan of course.
 
Dr. Roberts said that for youth players he does not recommend flu testing for any longer. "There are so many false negatives in influenza testing that you don't know for sure that you don't have it.  We are not spending a lot of time on testing.  We're pretty much focused on treatment now," he said.  "But for professionals that may be different, I would guess that at the higher levels they are doing more testing than we are at the youth levels." he added.
 
One of the USA Hockey recommendations from Dr. Michael Stuart to help curb the spread of H1N1 and influenza was the elimination of the traditional handshake or to do it with gloves on.  Dr. Roberts said "The handshake has always been a part of hockey. I think it is a worthwhile thing.  I think at this time it is probably a reasonable thing for kids just to shake hands with gloves on."
 
As a Family & Sports Medicine specialist Dr. Roberts makes another simple recommendation to help slow the transmission of influenza in hockey players this season. "For us the important thing in youth, high school and college hockey is for them to shower up afterwards; wash the virus off and let their equipment dry off really well in between games."
 
The handwashing recommendations are reasonable said Dr. Roberts but, "for transmission we are really looking at airborne as most risky for hockey players; what is going through the air from coughs and sneezes."
 
Which is why the University of Minnesota Professor said isolation and quarantine are very important.  
 
"For an athlete we are going to say no fever for 20 hours or 24 hours feeling well [before they can return to activity] but probably longer for H1N1. There is still a quarantine period while they are potentially shedding virus. For H1N1 a player should really sit for a week."
 
Dr. Roberts said hockey players should be mindful not just of game when trying to return from an infuenza infection. "We encourage them to follow the same precautions as health workers, don't infect your team, don't infect your opponents."

Thrice is Nice for Former Gopher Evan Kaufmann: Shootout hat trick gives his team win in Germany

It was a week before his own Halloween birthday but Evan Kaufmann gave his Düsseldorfer Eislauf Gemeinschaft Metro Stars the present. The Stars held a 2-1 lead over the Hannover Scorpions through the third period of the game last Saturday, until the last second of the game when Chris Herperger tied the score for Hannover sending the game to overtime.  After a scoreless extra session the game was still tied sending the game to a shootout.  After the first shooter for the Scorpions scored & the DEG shooter missed it was up to former Gopher Evan Kaufmann to keep the Stars alive, which he did.  In the Deutsche Eishockey Liga the same skater can go again in a shootout so Adam Mitchell who had already scored for Hannover tallied again to keep the Scorpions alive so the DEG coach put Kaufmann up again. Once again the Plymouth native scored. Two more shooters on each team missed so Kaufmann went again, scoring his third goal in the same shootout against goaltender Youri Ziffzer and winning the game for the Metro Stars 3-2.  

Three shootout goals in the same game.  

Said Kaufmann of the feat, "I guess it was my night for the shootout. I was just glad they allow the same guy to go more than once."  I was just relieved the moves were working for me. Lots of pressure, but it all happened pretty quickly which was good."

When asked what the coach said on the bench Kaufmann said he didn't say much " (he) just kept calling my number. The next day he said I may catch on with an NHL team as a 'shootout specialist.' Which doesn't sound bad," Kaufmann admitted.

QuickFacts has been unable to determine whether the feat has been accomplished before but in 15 years covering the DEL we cannot recall another player scoring three times in the same shootout not to mention the fact that his third goal was the game-winner, and he was the only player from his team to score during the shootout. Kaufmann has 2 goals & 5 assists in 15 games with the Stars this season.   Perhaps the triple-goal shootout should be called "The Kaufmann Hat Trick."

Photo courtesy of Detlef Ross / www.rossi-micha.de

Wild Camp Update

The sign on the wall of the Wild dressing room next to a picture of the Stanley Cup says "The team on top of the mountain didn't fall there." That climb began at the Xcel Energy Center in front of a reported 2,500 fans in a fast-paced practice and spirited scrimmage.
 
The first day of training camp for the Minnesota Wild was the real debut of new head coach Todd Richards.  After months of planning and strategizing he finally had the chance to take to the ice with his team, and he showed them quickly that this is a new regime with a very fast-paced practice and scrimmage.  
 
For most players it was the first time they had experienced a Todd Richards-run practice but for Kyle Brodziak, this was old hat, having played under the coach in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the AHL Penguins.
 
"It's only the first day but it is fairly similar" said Brodziak who was signed as a free agent this summer.  "Obviously from the practice this morning it felt like a couple years ago."
 
But Brodziak added that the fast paced start has a big upside  "It's good though, I really enjoyed it. Once you get used to it your body gets used to the pace," he said.  "It does definitely help in the games when you're used to working hard in practice."
 
Brodziak was acquired because both Chuck Fletcher and Todd Richards were familiar with his playing style and particularly his intensity and agressiveness to attack the puck on the ice. A player with those skills will be particularly useful according to Brodziak's description of how Richards likes to have his teams play.
 
"The one thing he likes to stress is putting pressure on teams and being the initiator.   When you do that you keep the puck in your control you can start heading out towards their end.  The more time we spend in their end the better, obviously," said Brodziak.  "I like the concept it makes it a fun game its always moving and always pressuring.  I think it is something that the players are going to enjoy."
 
Veteran defenseman Greg Zanon was also familiar with how Todd Richards coaches from his time with the Milwaukee Admirals. He said it was familiar territory being back with the Wild's new head coach, but there were some changes from when he last played for him.
 
"When he's talking I understand what he's saying," said Zanon.  "Obviously he's learned a few things from other teams but the understanding is there.  I just know some of his thinking. Obviously he has changed his style with assistant coaching with some other people and head coaching in Wilkes Barre, so it is still new to everybody. But I kind of knew what to expect," he said.
 
What to expect is a more agressive and fast-paced system than Wild fans may have been used to seeing in years past.
 
Said Zanon, "[Richards] just wants a go, go, go style, there is no letting up in practice. You have to go hard or you're not going to play. One of the most important things is that we're going to be is a team that plays with a lot of pace."
 
Known for more of a stay-at-home style and his shot-blocking Zanon was paired with Brent Burns for the first day of camp, which Zanon said he appreciated.
 
"I like playing with the young guys, they keep me young, they keep me going.  [Shot blocking] is part of my game," he said  "I have to stay back there for Burnsie when he is out there going buck wild."
 
The always joking Burns said he hoped the medical guys had IVs ready for him after the spirited scrimmage where he seemed to be flying on offense, but, he added, "Its going to take a little time to figure out what is going on try to deal with the change.  When you play with new guys it takes a little time to figure out what is going on."
 
For his first day as the boss of running his own NHL team Todd Richards seemed right at home.
 
"To be honest I felt very comfortable like I had done it in the past," Richards said. "I know it is diffent than the American League level but from the same standpoint it is coaching, and it is no different than what I was telling the guys at the American League level than what I was telling them here."
 
Forechecking & Entries were the primary lessons of the day on the first day of camp core components of Richards possession system.  
 
"Hopefully our forecheck if we can get a good middle lane drive, it will lead to other things," he said. Describing some components of his system Richards said,  "Its putting the puck into good areas and hopefully create a turnover put some pressure on the defense and hopefully it allows our physical players to be physical"
 
For his first day of camp the new Wild head coach was expecting some more intensity from more of his players, however, especially with jobs and ice time available.  
 
"There are lot of positives, but maybe I was expecting a little more," he said. "I'm expecting more from certain individuals because I don't think there was the urgency from certain players on the first day of camp as far as guys fighting for positions and ice time."
 
When asked whether some of the minor league players or tryouts have a legitimate chance to make the roster Richards replied "Absolutely! There are a lot of fresh eyes looking at these guys and we're going to take the guys that are in it and give us the best chance to win," he said.   "There are positions available, there is ice time available and we want guys that are ready to go out and earn it."
 
That is good news for former Minnesota Golden Gopher Danny Irmen who has yet to play a regular season game for the Minnesota Wild.   
 
"Forechecking is one of the best parts of my game," said the player scout Tommy Thompson has referred to as a "Pitbull" in the past. He did switch numbers from the #14 sweater he had previously been wearing when Martin Havlat chose that one, but, said Irmen "It wasn't my number."
 
Irmen was showing off his tenacity in the corners during the scrimmage, earning a point on the Green team's only goal, his work helping set up Colton Gillies' score. He is hoping that hard work will translate into more opportunity this season.  "I've gotta go out there and work hard", he said. "I'm taking it one day at a time."
 
There is a different atmosphere this season, said Irmen. "There is a lot of excitement being around Coach Richards. I think it is going to be an exciting year."
 
Perhaps that excitement and hard work from the first day of camp will go a long way toward getting this Wild team finally up that mountain.

Competitive, Respected, Liked: New Wild Coach Todd Richards is a Winner

Peter Horachek was Todd Richard's coach with the Orlando Solar Bears when that IHL team won the Turner Cup Championship in 2001. Richards was on the blueline for that club and scored to put the Bears ahead by three goals in the Cup-clinching game in what would be the team's final game.  When Horachek was named coach of the Milwaukee Admirals he knew exactly who he was going to call to be his assistant, his former Captain, Todd Richards.  "He was absolutely the first person that came to my mind."  Even though Richards had never had any coaching experience Horachek saw in him an ability that even the former Gopher never thought he had.

Todd Richards at a Glance: PLAYER: • Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round (33rd overall) of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft • WCHA Second Team All Star 3 Consecutive years (1986-87, 1987-88 and 1988-89) • 1988 WCHA Championships University of Minnesota • 1989 WCHA Championships University of Minnesota • 1989 NCAA Championships runner up University of Minnesota • 1991 Calder Cup Springfield Falcons • 2001 Turner Cup Orlando Solar Bears • 2002 Swiss NLB Championship Geneve Servette • IHL Defenseman of the year 1995 • Swiss NLB Top Defenseman 2001-02 Geneve-Servette • Appeared in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Hartford, scoring three assists COACH: • Assistant coach for the Milwaukee Admirals for four years, leading Admirals to the playoffs in all four years he spent in Milwaukee, including Calder Cup runners-up in 2005. He was also behind the bench when the Admirals captured the 2004 Calder Cup Title, sweeping Wilkes-Barre in the Finals. • Head coach for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins he lead the Baby Penguins to a second-place finish in the East Division & playoff Division Final. In his second year he lead the team to the Calder Cup Championship finals. • Head coach of the PlanetUSA Team at the 2007 AHL All-Star Game leading his team to a 7-6 victory Team Canada • First year assistant coach of the San Jose Sharks, helped lead the team to the NHL's best record and President's Trophy. Todd Richards and his wife Maryann have two sons: Zachary and Justin.  His brother Travis had a long minor league career and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

"He is not afraid to make the change in the old way of doing things. He is loyal and smart, and I knew he could handle it.  I wanted his knowledge," said Horachek.

A beaming Horachek couldn't be more thrilled for Richards to be getting the opportunity to become the head coach of the Minnesota Wild. "I think he was made to be a coach," said the Nashville Thrashers assistant. "He's a competitive guy who is poised and under control and very passionate.  He wants to bring an excitment to the game."

When speaking to him you get the feeling he couldn't be more excited if he had been named a head coach of an NHL team himself.  Said Horachek, "I like him a lot.  He is someone people will respect. He's a quality person. He's a winner."

When Horachek was given the opportunity to become an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators Claude Noel was hired to become the head coach of the Admirals. Noel said he didn't know much about Todd Richards but had coached his brother Travis in Kalamazoo and was impressed with Richards during their interview.

"I didn't have any interest in changing things. Todd is very personable, an innovative thinker," said Noel.

Said Noel, who is now an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets "He's won a lot, it follows him."  And it followed him to Milwaukee where they were able to claim the Calder Cup Championship.

Noel said the two tried to foster a teaching environment for the players and that at the same time it fostered his growth as a coach.

"I liked his thought process. I saw signs of him evolving, and it is really gratifying to see what he has accomplished."

Though his former mentor, whose "Claudism" phrases Richards admits to using in his own coaching, admits it may be interesting to coach against him with the Minnesota Wild. "It will be a little different coaching against him. I am interested to see how he has the team play, it will be a little different dynamic," said Noel.

If anyone would have known he was going to be a good coach it should have been his brother Travis Richards, who had a very successful and long professional hockey career but Travis didn't really peg his brother as a coach, though he is certainly not surprised at how successful he is. "Everything he does, he's just one of those guys who just wins, he's always been good at things and he's always been a student of the game."  

But Travis said he isn't the most excited about his brother's new postition with the Wild, that honor goes to his Mother who he said was ecstatic when they learned about it last Sunday night.  Travis Richards, who is now Hockey Director for regional youth hockey in Holland, Michigan said his son Riley is a Wild fan despite being a Michigan resident and has a Wild jersey already.

But the big question is, how does he think big brother will do behind the bench of the Wild? "I think he'll do great," said Travis.

Saint Louis Blues defenseman Mike Weaver came out of Michigan State University as a rookie in 2000 and played for the Orlando Solar Bears where his Captain was Todd Richards.  

"I wish everybody could have played for that team," said Weaver. The lessons he learned while playing for the Solar Bears he still carries with him to this day as a professional on and off the ice, and he attributes a great of that to Todd Richards.

"His leadership on and off the ice, and I know other players have said the same thing, you could always count on him, he gave valuable advice."

Weaver is very happy for his former captain on his new role as head coach of the Wild. "He is a great guy on and off the ice and I know he works hard. He's made the right choices."   Weaver will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1st if he is not re-signed by the St. Louis Blues  said he would be thrilled to play for his former teammate, despite the jokes about his video-game playing skill.

Bloomington's Tom Gilbert of the Edmonton Oilers echoes Weaver's sentiments. "You can't say enough good things about him," said Gilbert, who played for Wilkes/Barre-Scranton during Richards' first year as head coach of the Penguins. "It was my first year as a pro, and I couldn't have found a better coach. He wanted to get every player in the NHL. He did a great job of motivating each player," said Gilbert.

Even Vern Fiddler who was a young player with the Milwaukee Admirals said that Richards' coaching still has an impact on him to this day. "As soon as I heard I picked up the phone to call him and congratulate him," said Fiddler who now plays with the Nashville Predators.  Fiddler noted that because Richards wasn't so removed from the game he was able to relate to the players, and communicated with them well. "He was a an assistant, so it was a different dynamic, but he was still a leader, I learned a lot from him. He is a great guy."

Former Gopher and Stanley Cup Winner Alex Goligoski entered the professional game during Richards' second year behind the bench with the Baby Penguins. "From the start he was able to reel me in, help me learn the pro game," said Goligoski.

When asked if it was Richards who helped him take his game to the next level and win a Stanley Cup, said Goligoski "He was great at teaching me the things I can do & can't do; he's good at knowing his players."

Goligoski's teammate and former Gopher Jeff Taffe had a similar respect for Richards when he played for him in Wilkes-Barre. "He has great hockey knowledge and is very well-liked, almost a role model. I can't say enough about him."

Before he even met him as a coach Taffe, who signed with Pittsburgh as a free agent, was impressed. "(Richards) called me right away when I signed and asked me about my workouts, how I was doing."

Taffe says Richards respects facts and details. "He would call you in after every other game to evaluate your performance. He makes you think & care.  He was a really smart hockey guy."

Goligoski said that Richards likes to make it hard on the opponent by playing a possession game, "He wants you to have the puck more than the other team."  He said that his coach stressed team chemistry, even having players complete early season biographies in order to get to know their teammates.  Details, said Goligoski, never seemed to escape the notice of Richards.

Tom Gilbert also described his coach as a tactician, where every practice stressed specific details of the game; ways to improve.

But while each player and mentor describes Todd Richards as detailed and competitve, whether playing a game of cards, running the Masters or NCAA Pool or in coaching the game of hockey, to a man, they all respect, admire and really like him.  Todd Richards is a proven winner, but has maintained his integrity, personality and likability in the process.  It is no wonder Peter Horachek thought of him first all those years ago and Chuck Fletcher thought of him for the Wilkes/Barre and now Minnesota Wild positions. It isn't quite a meteoric rise, but his rapid ascention while continuing his level of likability, respect and success, speaks volumes about who Todd Richards is, and what Minnesota Wild players and fans can expect from him behind the bench.