November 04, 2011
Posted in BC Edition, Development, Professional
By Aaron Wilbur /
Troy Ward is head coach of the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat (Calgary Flames farm team). Ward has at various levels across North America during a career that began by being named Head Coach at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, at the age of 25.
The 49-year old, who hails from St. Paul, Minnesota, has NHL coaching experience with the Pittsburgh Penguins and was the ECHL’s coach of the year in 2001. He is also the founder of Hockey and Sons skills camp, which has been bringing parents and children together through hockey for over a dozen years.
What has fueled your passion to continue your coaching journey?
I grew up in a teaching environment. My father was a physical education teacher as well as a high school basketball and football coach. I have maintained that passion to teach and help people along their path.
What role have mentors played in your career?
When I was an assistant coach at the University of Denver in the early ‘90s under Frank Serratore, he suggested I spend a summer working at the Brainerd hockey camp in Minnesota and get to know Kevin Constantine. He felt we shared a passion for teaching and finding different ways to communicate with players. We hit it off and I would go on to be his assistant in Pittsburgh (NHL) and Houston (AHL). Mike Eaves, who I worked under at the University of Wisconsin, would be another mentor.
What is your role as a coach in the AHL?
Most important, I have to be a good listener. Players have different agendas and there are different nuances in coaching each athlete. There is a certain level of patience required to coach at this level. We have to be motivated by short-term goals, while keeping long term goals in sight. It’s constantly evaluating what went right and what went wrong while sticking to the process of getting better each day.
Your coaching pedigree did not stem from a playing career. So, what has it been like to climb the ladder?
I like to think of it as coming from underneath. I’ve never felt slighted when someone has received a coaching opportunity based on their experience as player. I’ve been blessed in so many other ways in my life. It’s all part of the puzzle. My experience has helped me become a better teacher and father. The journey is not about having a pedigree but a passion.
You spent one season as the senior vice president of the ECHL. Part of your role was handing out suspensions similar to Brendan Shanahan’s current position with the NHL. What’s your take on the effort to curb violence in hockey?
As human beings, we have to evolve. We all respect the history of the game but we are managing different people now. I don’t have a lot of respect for players that abuse the history of the game. Certainly, repeat offenders deserve harsher punishments. I do support a cleaner game and believe we need to give special players a chance to play a special game.
Aaron Wilbur is the Managing Director of the Coaches Site. Check out the Coaches Site online at www.thecoachessite.com or follow him on Twitter (@thecoachessite) for the latest coaching news.
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