2007-08 review: coaching

Published 8:28 am Sunday, April 6, 2008

Navigate around the WHL Web site and you’ll come across a promotional video for prospective players. In that video, the second sentence uttered by the narrator is: “The WHL is recognized around the world as the premier developmental league.”

The video then goes on to talk about how the WHL is the best route for players toward a professional hockey career. However, players aren’t the only ones who get their start toward the big time in the WHL. It’s also a developmental league for general managers, trainers, front-office workers, broadcasters, even reporters.

And yes, coaches.

All of which was a preamble for discussing John Becanic’s first season in charge of the Tips.

It’s no secret that there are those among the fan base who were dissatisfied with Becanic’s performance during his first season. That’s not unexpected. Becanic had an almost impossible task in replacing Kevin Constantine, who became a mythical figure in Everett for what he accomplished during his four seasons in charge.

Do I believe Becanic did everything right this season? No. Having no personal hockey background I know I’m not the best person to make this type of judgment, but there certainly were moments when I wondered if he was doing the right thing.

But I suspect Becanic himself would agree. As someone who attends practices I got to see first-hand some of Becanic’s coaching methods evolve throughout the season. Becanic came in with the idea of keeping everything positive, but as the season progressed he became more and more stern.

Trying to make those changes on the fly probably made things difficult on everyone. Especially considering Becanic, as an assistant, was the good cop to Constantine’s bad cop the previous four years. I imagine the players, particularly the veterans, had a hard time adjusting to the new Becanic.

But now Becanic has had a year of development himself, and he’s seen what works and what doesn’t. Next season he should have a more solid starting point and there should be less ambiguity between coach and players.

Therefore I think next season will be a better gauge of Becanic as a head coach.

Next: 2008-09 lookahead: overview