Bulldogs 'became a team' in the coach's 1st season
May 15, 2004 8:48:34 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on May 15, 2004 8:48:34 GMT -5
by Garry Mckay
The Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton Bulldogs' head coach Doug Jarvis had been an assistant coach in the NHL for more than a dozen years but he found his first season as the guy in charge to be an interesting learning experience.
"I can't say I knew what to expect of the group but I was pleasantly surprised," said Jarvis. "It was a quiet group with players arriving from Tampa and Montreal, but once they came together as a team the chemistry was there. It was fun to see a team come together and start to perform as a group and feel confidence and trust in each other. It was neat to see that happen because you don't always get that. I've been in situations where a team really doesn't become a team for whatever reason.
"This team became a team. They liked each other's company and they liked performing on the ice together as a group."
Jarvis says the Bulldogs' accomplishments this year, including a first-place finish in the AHL's North Division, are remarkable.
"We were one of the youngest teams in the league and to see them put up some of the numbers they put up, 96 points, the home record they had, a .600 winning percentage. I think those were all pretty amazing achievements, even to win a playoff round. Consider for many of the guys it was their first playoff experience.
"When you separate the disappointment of being out of the playoffs and start to look at some of the things that happened over the year, I think there were some pretty big positives."
Jarvis said he and assistant coach Ron Wilson are both under contract for next year and expect to be back.
"It was a learning experience to make sure you're on the pulse of the team and trying to stay one step ahead of the curve and take them on a course to deal with what may be coming," Jarvis said.
"The big thing for Ron and I, with this age group and this level of play, was trying to make sure that the atmosphere stayed positive and progressive."
The Bulldogs' coaching staff met with all of the players this week before they departed to give them feedback on their season.
Jarvis said he also expects to have input with the parent Montreal Canadiens on which Bulldogs free agents or players in their options years should be retained. Those decisions will come over the next few months.
The Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton Bulldogs' head coach Doug Jarvis had been an assistant coach in the NHL for more than a dozen years but he found his first season as the guy in charge to be an interesting learning experience.
"I can't say I knew what to expect of the group but I was pleasantly surprised," said Jarvis. "It was a quiet group with players arriving from Tampa and Montreal, but once they came together as a team the chemistry was there. It was fun to see a team come together and start to perform as a group and feel confidence and trust in each other. It was neat to see that happen because you don't always get that. I've been in situations where a team really doesn't become a team for whatever reason.
"This team became a team. They liked each other's company and they liked performing on the ice together as a group."
Jarvis says the Bulldogs' accomplishments this year, including a first-place finish in the AHL's North Division, are remarkable.
"We were one of the youngest teams in the league and to see them put up some of the numbers they put up, 96 points, the home record they had, a .600 winning percentage. I think those were all pretty amazing achievements, even to win a playoff round. Consider for many of the guys it was their first playoff experience.
"When you separate the disappointment of being out of the playoffs and start to look at some of the things that happened over the year, I think there were some pretty big positives."
Jarvis said he and assistant coach Ron Wilson are both under contract for next year and expect to be back.
"It was a learning experience to make sure you're on the pulse of the team and trying to stay one step ahead of the curve and take them on a course to deal with what may be coming," Jarvis said.
"The big thing for Ron and I, with this age group and this level of play, was trying to make sure that the atmosphere stayed positive and progressive."
The Bulldogs' coaching staff met with all of the players this week before they departed to give them feedback on their season.
Jarvis said he also expects to have input with the parent Montreal Canadiens on which Bulldogs free agents or players in their options years should be retained. Those decisions will come over the next few months.