Q And A With The Coach - Into The Homestretch
February 7, 2010
Neepawanatives.com is pleased to bring another version of Q and A With The Coach. This version is called Into The Homestretch - as The Natives are currently heading into the final seven games of the season.
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Q - How is the team?
BP - "The team is good. The health of the guys is remarkable for this stage of the season. We are enjoying the break in the schedule.
Q - Your schedule has been busy. How important is the time off?
BP - "It is important. The guys have really worked hard and we have had complete team efforts all through the second half. To see the guys able to recover for three days is a very positive feeling. They deserve it."
Q - What is your schedule during the days off?
BP - "We practice and work out. We have a high tempo workout scheduled for Sunday as a team. We will also work on some things on the ice and get ready for Portage on Tuesday night. As well, the guys are able to get a chance to get together and watch the Super Bowl which is good."
Q - How is the off ice training going?
BP - "We get together whenever we can and we have a great workout. Our off ice is rooted in core work, overall body strengthening and developing tendon and joint strength. We have a lot of fun at it and we use obstacle training and mixed martial arts principles. Explosive movements, pounding sledge hammers, sled style pulling. It's great stuff."
Q - Is this common?
BP - "It's getting to be more and more common. Static weight training is great for developing endurance and muscular strength. The game is changing, however, and we are focusing more on things that will be applicable for game situations and this time of year."
Q - Is the team fit?
BP - "I think we are very fit. We are on an upswing. We are getting more and more energetic every day. I think our record in third periods speaks for itself. When we have a lead, we are able to hold it because of our fitness levels."
Q - Do you see your team as a team built for the playoffs?
BP - "Well, I think we are a team built to succeed on a daily basis in a very tough division. We have also proven that we can come out of long stretches of hockey with a winning record. We are tough, we work hard and we are resilient. I would say that those attributes are qualities you would want in a team heading into the playoffs."
Q - How is Ryan Bembridge doing?
BP - "Ryan took a blow in a collision this past week. He is recovering from a minor injury he sustained. He is coming along. We are giving him time to really get ready and get healthy."
Q - How would you define your first year to date?
BP - "A productive team effort. We are starting to restore things back to where the organization wants to be. People are starting to really take notice of our kids and their contribution to the community. People see that everyone in our room is here by choice and that they really want to be here. It is exciting to see people excited about the team."
Q - Is the organization going in the right direction?
BP - "Absolutely. We are up in the win column and there is a real enthusiasm. Our young guys are doing really well in school and our older guys are good people. Our board of directors and executive are also good people and they care so much. There are some people who have walked with this team for many, many years and they have kept it going. They deserve the credit for laying the groudwork."
Q - How is the lottery going?
BP - "There are some great people making it happen. I understand that the first stretch has been really strong and we are hopeful that people will continue to look at the great value that comes with purchasing a ticket. It has been really well done. People who want to know more can go to the front page of the website and click for a form. It's a great opportunity."
Q - Any positive surprises this year?
BP - "I am very pleased with the level of support we have receieved from the community. Our crowds have been improving and we have been fortunate to have some good sized crowds. Obviously, I have spoken in the past of how good our team is treated by the board and organization. That is really comforting as a coach. It's been good."
Q - What is the story with Stephan Gunner?
BP - "Stephan came in looking for a fresh start. He was highly recommended as a player and we were prepared to work through some things with him in helping him get set up as a player and young man. There were circumstances back home that were really weighing him down and as much as he tried, he just couldn't shake the pressure. We talked with him and told him he needed to get home if he wanted to, and he felt he needed to take care of things back there."
Q - What was the nature of his situation?
BP - "He had a loved one that was going through a very difficult period. He felt guilty not being there. He comes from a tight knit and very family based culture. He was really struggling with concentrating on what he needed to do here. He is a nice kid. It just didn't work when his heart and mind were 3000 kilometers away."
Q - Will he return to hockey?
BP - "I sure hope so at some point. He won't be back this year though. He is a promising player. He was sick this year with H1N1 for a month, then the other stuff happened back home. Tough year for him. As a man, he was torn with not being able to support his loved one. You can't put a price tag on a person who puts others first. That is what he did."
Q - How is recruiting?
BP - "Very good right now. We had a chance to see several prospects these past few weeks. We had scouts in Saskatchewan this weekend and they saw some of our prospects and were very pleased with their development. Our Manitoba guys are good. We are happy."
Q - What can fans expect to see down the stretch?
BP - "Hard work, intensity and tenacity on the ice. People can expect our team to really work hard every time it hits the ice. We want to really start off with a great effort on Tuesday night (against Portage). That is a game people will want to be at."
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