Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Hartsburg brings an uptempo style to Silvertips

By Nick Patterson
Herald Writer

 EVERETT -- Everett Silvertips general manager Doug Soetaert told a story about the team's new head coach, Craig Hartsburg, at Tuesday's press conference. In it he described a conversation when the pair finally got the opportunity to meet face-to-face.

"He was sitting in front of me at my desk and the first thing he said is, 'I hate losing, I absolutely hate losing, and my teams will hate losing, too,'" Soetaert said. "That's very important for a general manager to hear."

And it gives a clue as to what players and fans alike can expect from their new coach.

Hartsburg has a reputation as a taskmaster who demands the most out of his players, and he's expected to carry that coaching style over into his tenure with Everett.

"I think people who have played for me and worked with me know I'm very intense, very demanding in the character parts of the game," Hartsburg said. "We want players who are going to show up every night and play with passion. If players love the game, love to work, love to compete, love to use their skills, then they should have no problem playing for us."

When John Becanic was fired as Everett's coach in April, Soetaert talked about the need for a greater emphasis on playing hard and competing on a nightly basis.

In Hartsburg, Soetaert found a coach who's modus operandi fits that description perfectly. Hartsburg's previous teams, particularly his major-junior teams in the Ontario Hockey League, were known for their work ethic.

"I think the teams we had in (Sault Ste. Marie, where Hartsburg went 179-111-18-23 in five seasons) were never outworked, never outcompeted," Hartsburg said. "It's not like we had the best skilled players in the league. But every night our team showed up to play."

As for style of play, Hartsburg wants Everett to play up-tempo, with the Tips being the aggressors.

"We want to be a team that puts pressure on people," Hartsburg said. "We want to be able to attack, we want to be the team that's on their toes, not back on their heels, and we want to play with a good pace and a good tempo. It's a physical game and we want our group to get involved physically."

Hartsburg plans on getting to work right away. In about a week he plans to have a conference call with all the players, introducing himself and letting them know what he expects.

For the players, that means the hard work begins now, not when training camp begins in late August.

"In junior hockey you don't have a lot of time to get ready for the season, so a lot of the work they're doing now will be very important," Hartsburg said. "Conditioning level will be something I demand as high as any team in the league. If you want to outwork people you have to be in better shape than them."

None of Everett's players had met Hartsburg prior to Tuesday's press conference, and yet the message was already beginning to sink in.

"I better have my working boots on and be ready to give 110 percent every night," Everett right wing Kellan Tochkin said. "Players like that. Players love having that slight bit of fear before every game, knowing they have to play at that top level. That's something he wants and it's something I think the boys are going to respond to well."

But they seem to have realized that the effort will need to remain high for Hartsburg to stay satisfied.

"He seems like a nice guy," Tips goaltender Thomas Heemskerk said of Hartsburg. "As long as everyone works hard it might stay that way."

Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA