December 23, 2011
Posted in BC Edition, Development
By Aaron Wilbur /
In his five years as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Penticton Vees, Fred Harbinson has built a factory in the South Okanagan. And it has nothing to do with the regions thriving wine and orchard industry.
Under Harbinson’s guidance, the Vees organization has become a hockey prospect factory and is recognized as one of the top producers of talent in Junior hockey across North America. Over 50 of his players have secured NCAA Division I scholarships while others have found success in the WHL. Regardless of the route they choose, playing in Penticton has provided the foundation for future success.
Q: There is a perception that a lot of the success you’ve had in Penticton is due to the your ability to attract impact players with the facilities and other amenities at your disposal. Is it as easy as the pundits make it out to be?
A: Anybody that thinks recruiting is that easy hasn’t done it before. Kids have so many options these days. It takes more than a great rink to attract talented players. As a staff, we work hard to establish our recruiting network. College programs recognize that we develop players and are confident in recommending our program to their prospects. Like anything else, if you stop working at it you lose it. As an organization we are committed to working 365 days a year at offering the best program for players to develop and providing our fans with a great on ice product.
Q: You were an assistant coach at St Cloud University for five seasons prior to arriving in Penticton. How do you prepare players for the adjustment to the NCAA?
A: The biggest thing for me is learning how to play the game with pace. We work hard to bring speed to our game. As a coach, you have to push players out of their comfort zone. It’s important that when our players move on, adjusting to the speed at the next level is a step and not a leap.
Q-Junior hockey in Penticton has a long-standing tradition. The Vees are truly engrained in the fabric of the community. What kind of experience does that provide your players?
A- The passion that the fans and community have for this team is special. It makes playing here a great experience. Players move on in their careers and in life but being an alumni of this program is something they embrace. It’s the little things, like the Mayor making time to meet with recruits and their families. It’s that passion that drew me here as a coach.
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.
Previous Story:
Coaching Spotlight Q&A With Toronto Marlies Head Coach Dallas Eakins
Next Story:
How To Better Prepare For Next Season
Comments
No comments have been posted yet.
Add a Comment