Rebuilding the Blackhawks – Coaching the 2005-2006 season

By: Ailyn Diaz

Just believe that there will be a 2005-2006 season and the fans will return. The Blackhawks know that developing an on-ice product will become more than a priority. It is their mantra.

Chicago Blackhawk talent such as Mark Bell, Kyle Calder, Tuomo Ruutu, and the plethora of future stars like Rene Bourque and James Wisniewski require the right leader to invigorate their energetic play, teach, and transition them into the post Collective Bargaining era. He should understand the position of free agency veterans such as Jassen Cullimore, Matthew Barnaby, Curtis Brown who have yet to lace up their skates on United Center ice. He should know that to win you need to be “a Blackhawk one, two and three, and the rest of them, fine…get ‘em out,” as savvy team president William Wirtz said during a press conference.

To establish a good fit, the leader should fit the characteristics of the team. He should embody hard work, toughness, skill, and grit. He should be able to communicate to the players with ease and lead the players by example. He should be someone who understands commitment to team concept, the workable art of Blackhawk hockey.
“These are the types of people — and the guys that we have in Norfolk (farm club)– they understand that it’s just not on the ice,” reiterated Assistant General Manager Dale Tallon. “We want people that want to be a part of this community and are willing to go the extra mile to help sell this game.”

Interestingly enough, the players in Norfolk have gained the respectable admiration of such a member of the Chicago Blackhawks brass. He might not remember the statistics upon his hockey card, but his players outspokenly call out that he was a first round draft pick for the team. Among a crowded lunch room of players after practice, the coach modestly smiles and turns away at the comment in an attempt to read the cover of the newspaper. Meanwhile, the players continue to speak lively mostly retelling the coach’s stories about life in Blackhawk uniform, the minors and back in juniors. It was a picture moment captured by the players in their mind. It was “a return to the glory days” what the game of hockey is all about.

The players respond to his teaching style. Like a college professor from a podium, he lectures to them about the fundamental techniques of the power play. The players listen attentively and execute their practiced plays with precision as he gives each of them individual attention in capitulating their inner strengths. He has also worked in conjunction with goaltending coach Stephane Waite who is aware of his rapport with the players.

During, this cancelled 2004-2005 NHL season, Chicago Blackhawk head coach Brian Sutter only made it once at the beginning of the season to watch the players in Norfolk, Virginia. He has yet to actively participate while other head coaches such as Philadelphia Flyers Ken Hitchcock is often seen guiding the players in development to improvement. Not to mention that he has yet to apologize publicly for the “misunderstanding” a.k.a the violent bar incident in Nashville, Tennessee that occurred more than a year ago.

“We are both very emotional people and things happen,” said Tyler Arnason to the Chicago Sports Review earlier this locked-out season. However, this incident although unfortunate blemishes the image of the future team. Sutter’s one year contract extension expires on May 19, 2005. Will his contract be renewed?

Perhaps it is time for a coach who understands the meaning of rebuilding the Blackhawks. A coach who is more than just involved in reaching out to well paid NHL players but who is able to participate in the community and teach even youth hockey clinics throughout the city of Chicago or actively participate in sponsoring hockey camps.
That coach is now locked-out in Norfolk, Virginia and is now assistant to Admirals coach Trent Yawney. He is Bruce Cassidy. He is a Blackhawk.

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