Knoxville Ice Bears

Mike Craigen and the Hockey Biz

date: 11/04/2010

Mike Craigen answers some questions concerning the start of the 2010-11 season:

Q: First two weeks are out of the way. How have things matched your expectations from an Ice Bear and a league perspective?

A: As far as the league is concerned, I was pleasantly surprised at the level of play. The overall level of competition has definitely gone up since I was a player in the SPHL. Guys are bigger, stronger and in better overall condition than I remember.

 

Q: What factors went into consideration when making player personnel decisions? Is this the hardest part of the job to date?

A: This season... being my first as a head coach... I tried to base my personnel decisions on 2 main things: 1) What I needed in terms of on-ice ability and 2) Putting together a group of "character" players who were not only excellent hockey players, but solid individuals and good people as well. It's absolutely... hands down... the hardest part of the job to have to look guys in the eye and tell them that they are not going to be an Ice Bear. Or, their dream of playing professionaly is over. It is a very tough thing to do. All I can do is try to fair with them and give them the respect they deserve when explaining my decision to them.

 

Q: What kind of off-ice activities that you and the team engage in to strengthen your relationship?

A: We have already gone through a series of "team building" activities that I firmly belive in as a coach and leader of this team; bowling and golf days to name a few. But the real team building comes through regular day to day interaction... bus trips, team meals, team housing, and practices. Since retiring, those were the moments I missed the most. Not the goals, fights, or wins... but the time spent with my teammates off the ice and in the locker room  building that classic hockey comradery.

 

Q: Having a better feel for your team after seeing them in action... what areas in your opinion need the most attention in practice to get the Ice Bears atop the standings?
A: I think our offensive electricity and power play need the most work overall in our game. This year's crop of Ice Bears seem to naturally do a great job on the defensive side of the puck, which is great, but obviously you need to score goals to win games. That is something that not only will we work on, but is also something that will come through just being on the ice together more and getting accustomed to one another as players.


 

 

Back