Kirk Muller to coach at Queen's

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www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=128156

(Kingston, ON) - Retired NHL star Kirk Muller signed on as head coach of the Queen's Golden Gaels men's hockey team on Friday.


''I'm looking forward to working with a focused group of students who have already shown great commitment to the sport with its grueling university hockey schedule and yet continues to keep their academic standards high,'' says Muller, who will start his coaching duties on July 1. ''The same work ethic found at the professional level exists here at Queen's.''

''It will be great to get back to my hockey roots here in Kingston,'' adds Muller, a Kingston native. ''I am looking forward to lacing up my skates and recharging the Golden Gaels hockey program.''

Queen's Athletics feels that Muller's 19 years of experience in the NHL will lend an even higher level of professionalism as well as a greater profile to Queen's long-standing program.

''Kirk is well connected in the hockey community and will be a valuable recruiter for our Golden Gaels program,'' says John McFarlane, Chair of Queen's Athletics. ''He also has a career track record of success both on and off the ice, and the innate ability to motivate others to achieve to the best of their abilities.''


Muller's exceptional leadership abilities were well-proven during a National Hockey League career during which he was nicknamed ''Captain Kirk'' while serving at the head of the Montreal Canadiens from 1994 to 1995. He was also awarded the Most Valuable Player twice with the Canadiens and three times during his tenure with the New Jersey Devils.

Muller's career in professional hockey began in 1984 when he was the first-round draft pick for the Devils. He also played for the Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as the Canadian National Hockey Team, and won a Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens. He retired from pro in 2003.

A well-known supporter of charitable causes in Kingston, Muller has been chairperson of the Market Square Feb Fest as well as an advocate for such projects as Almost Home, Kingston Minor Hockey, Help Line for Kids and Ride for Dad. Most recently, Muller has played an active role for the Professional Athlete Transition Institute on behalf of NHL Alumni Members. He as also worked as a freelance Broadcaster for TSN and CBC Radio.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Saw that earlier tonight. Thanks Spidy.

The thing is, Muller keeps on giving to the city of Kingston. He brought the old-timers into the city. He organized a three-on-three tournament that was played in the downtown Kingston (soon to be renamed "Springer") Market. There were more NHLers here for that tournament than I've ever seen at one time in Kingston.

And after the current archeological dig is over, the old market will be converted into downtown open-air skating rink. That's mainly due to the success of Muller's tournament earlier this year.

I don't think there is a more respected sports figure, or person for that matter, than "Captain Kirk," here in the city. The man just keeps on giving back.

Cheers.

[Forum Ghost]

KIRK MULLER IS BACK

Kirk Muller has crossed over to the other side. He's officially a former player now. Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario has named him head coach and director of their hockey operations. Muller skated with the team several times over the past year and says the university was interested in seeing if he could bring his expertise to the school on a full-time basis.

The 19-year NHL veteran recently moved back to Kingston and says he's excited about the job. "Getting back into the dressing room is what we all love to do, there's nothing like it".

It's his 1st foray into coaching and as a result Muller relied on some former bosses for advice. He says he talked to Devils GM Lou Lamoriello, Montreal GM Bob Gainey and Dallas Gm Doug Armstrong before agreeing to take the job. "They all thought it was a great opportunity to get back into the game and get my feet wet and they all had encouraging words to say about university hockey". Lamoriello was especially excited about Muller using the university route to get experience. The Devils GM spent 20 years with the hockey program at Providence College, Rhode Island, as a player, coach and administrator and still holds the record for most wins by a coach at Providence College in the US.

Muller isn't adverse to using his contacts to help any players with dreams of playing pro. He says he's been impressed with the skill level he's seen in the CIS and wonders if NHL teams have missed out some late bloomers. "It might help if I can pick up the phone and call on an NHL GM and tell them to come and take a look at a kid".

Building the program at Queen's is job number 1 though. He says he wants to create a good, fast exciting team that will be fun for the fans to watch.

Why is Queen's hiring a full-time coach for the 1st time? Muller says the university strives for excellence in all areas and has determined it's time to put more effort into the hockey program. He's looking at contacting players as soon as possible with an eye to hitting the ice in September.

He's not worried about the mental transition he'll have to make from the pro game to the university game. "The great thing about coaching at Queen's is the amount of ice time you get to work with the players in practice. It's a short schedule so you have a lot of time to teach them skills".

This will be a full time job. His duties as General Manager will include recruiting. He wants Queen's to be on the short list for players looking to combine education while playing hockey at a high level. "I like to think we could put a program together that will interest not only players in Ontario but across the country". He liked to especially appeal to players who have played some junior. " We'd like to see a pattern of getting some guys who are ex-junior "A" players who are in that stage of still developing".

While Muller will not be able to come in and clean house and trade players like he could in junior hockey, the door is actually open for him to put his stamp on the team. Last years squad graduated 8 players.

Muller scored 357 goals and collected 959 points during his NHL career. Is he worried about working with players who are not at the same skill level as he was or his ability to get a message across? The answer is no if you can read into the smile that crosses his face when asked the question. He says last year, when skating with the team, he found a group of guys who had an incredible dedication to the game of hockey. As long the players give him an effort and they are willing to learn he's happy. "It's great to be around people who even though they have a lot on their plate going to school at Queen's pack up everyday and come over to the rink. They want to be there and they enjoy playing". The ability to make a quick phone call to an NHL GM should help Muller keep the troops focused as well.

The NHL is certainly a carrot that will keep Muller's mind on the job. He'd love to work in management at the NHL level someday. To do that, he'll have to prove his worth starting at the university level.

His goals are modest. He won't reveal specific numbers. He'll only say he wants to improve on last years record and build the program. The Golden Gaels finished with 8 wins in a 24 game schedule last year. Their last OUA title came during the 1980-81 season. He's got a lot of work to do.


www.tsn.ca/columnists/dan_pollard.asp