Habscheid returns with Chilliwack
r Warren Henderson – Kelowna Capital News
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r Some of Marc Habscheid’s finest hours were spent behind the Kelowna Rockets’ bench at Prospera Place. And while he clearly has a sentimental side, don’t expect it to interfere with the task at hand when his Chilliwack Bruins visit the Rockets tonight in Western Hockey League action.
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r “The first thing about us coming into Kelowna is that it’s definitely not about me, it’s about our players, our team and trying to get better,” said Habscheid, 46. “We’re playing against the defending champions and we’ll need to be prepared. It’s a chance to improve our game.”
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r Having said that, the new head coach and general manager of the Bruins admits every trek back inside Prospera Place summons up more than a few fond memories.
r Hardly a surprise considering that during his 4 1/2-year stay in Kelowna, Habscheid helped build the Rockets into a winner, culminating with the organization’s first and only Memorial Cup title in 2004.
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r “It’s a special place with some special types of people and whether it’s the first time or the 50th time, I enjoy coming back,” said Habscheid, who was hired as the Rockets head coach in November 1999. “More than anything, I think the relationships I built while I was there is what I’ll remember.
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r "I’m proud to have been part of creating something in terms of the cohesion of the organization, working towards a common goal and achieving it,” he continued. “It wasn’t just the wins and losses, it was all the things in between, the good and the bad. I wouldn’t change any of it.”
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r Following that triumphant 2004 campaign, Habscheid served two seasons as the head coach for Hockey Canada, then spent part of the 2006-07 as an associate coach with the NHL’s Boston Bruins before he and head man Dave Lewis were relieved of their duties.
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r After two years away from the game, most of it spent on his farm near Swift Current, Sask., Habscheid needed hockey back in his life. This summer, the WHL’s Bruins provided him with the ideal opportunity.
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r “I wanted to get back into junior and get back into a situation that was right for me and my family,” he said. “I wanted to coach again, they happened to need a GM as well, so it fit the bill. It was a challenge I was excited to take on. It’s a good hockey market and the ownership is strong. It’s a good situation.”
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r In just its fourth season in the WHL, the Chilliwack franchise continues to experience growing pains, but the team believes Habscheid is the man to lead the Bruins towards prosperity.
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r As he was with general manager Bruce Hamilton and the Rockets in Kelowna, Habscheid is committed to trying to build the Bruins piece by piece into a perennial WHL contender.
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r “You look to create a culture where everyone understands what we’re trying to build, right from the zamboni driver to the trainer to the coaching staff to the players,” he said. “You want everyone moving in the same direction and, when it works, it’s pretty powerful.
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r “Like we did with Bruce in Kelowna, we’re going to preach patience and not divert from the plan. How fast it all happens depends on things like depth on your list, how quickly buy-in, and the reality is, it might not happen as fast as you want,” Habscheid continued. “We understand where we’re at, but having said that, we’re always going to play to win.”
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r Few people in the hockey business would like to see Habscheid prosper in Chilliwack more than Bruce Hamilton, despite the fact the Bruins are B.C. Division rivals.
r Hamilton has little doubt Habscheid will succeed.
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r “I know what kind of coach he is and there’s no question he’ll make that team better,” said Hamilton. “I still communicate with him regularly and have let him know if there’s anything he needs, he can count on me. Like every team in our league, we want Chilliwack to be competitive because it’s healthy for everybody. I want him to succeed and I expect Marc will have that team where they need to be in good time.”
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