EVERETT — John Becanic’s eyes have been opened.
When he succeeded Kevin Constantine as head coach of the Everett Silvertips, he knew the microscope would fix its glare upon him.
But he didn’t realize how high the magnification level would be adjusted.
After half a season as Everett’s coach — and a half season of mixed results — Becanic has learned all about the pressures that accompany heading a team with a history of success.
But Becanic, who was promoted from associate head coach, said the lessons learned from the first half of the season will make him a better coach in the second half.
“It’s taught me to deal with adversity, which I haven’t had a whole lot in my career,” Becanic said of Everett’s inconsistent first half. “Jay (Varady, Everett’s current associate head coach) and I were so far in the background the previous four years. Then you’re shoved to the front, and I don’t know if you know how big a deal the Everett Silvertips are to the community until you’re in the forefront. It’s a little overwhelming as to how much people follow the team. It’s been a growth period the first half of the season.”
Everett is a pedestrian 18-16-0-2 at the halfway point and the team’s play has been marked by inconsistency. That’s a striking change from the Constantine years, when the Tips were one of the league’s most consistent teams, winning three U.S. Division titles in the franchise’s first four years. Therefore, there are grumblings among the fanbase that perhaps Becanic wasn’t the right choice of successor.
But while the fans may have their doubts, Becanic has the full backing of general manager Doug Soetaert, who placed the responsibility for the team’s lack of consistency on the players rather than the coaching.
“I feel John has a gameplan,” Soetaert said. “He’s done a solid job of preparing the team and giving them a winning system. But the coaches can’t play for the players. I know they’re frustrated with the lack of discipline from some of the returning players, but we’re through that and I think we’re as ready as we ever have been to play games. It’s up to the players on the ice.”
Despite being one of Constantine’s assistants the first four seasons, Becanic brought a different approach. While Constantine was a strict disciplinarian, Becanic is more of a father figure. Becanic also opened up the offense a bit, allowing more freedom to the forwards and making the structure a little less rigid.
Whether Becanic’s approach has worked is subject to debate. Everett is spending more time in the offensive zone, but not necessarily scoring more goals, and the Tips have given up far more goals than in the past. The team’s had different stretches where penalties, odd-man rushes, even line changes have been a problem.
“Obviously I expected the team to perform better,” Becanic said. “We have performed well, but not consistently well.
“In general I knew what would come my way,” Becanic continued. “If we were successful, then we were successful because I was given a successful team. If we weren’t successful, it was because of the coach. But my job is to coach the players and I feel good about the effort of the staff and the direction we’re going. I honestly feel we’re doing the right things, it’s just a matter of connecting the dots and getting a consistent effort.
“None of my philosophies have changed, but it’s challenged me to look outside the box from the last four years.”
Soetaert also supports the new coaching style.
“John’s a different kind of coach and it takes awhile for the players to understand it,” Soetaert said. “He’s not in your face. He wants to get the most out of the players, but he doesn’t want the players to play in total fear of the head coach. It’s going to take some work ethic on the players’ part.
“He’s done a good job at keeping us at a fairly decent clip, we’re two games over .500 at the break, and we’re in a position to make the playoffs.”
Despite feeling a little pressure, Becanic said he’s enjoyed taking over the head position.
“I think the fun part about it is I really enjoy working with Mark (LeRose, the team’s other assistant coach) and Jay and Doug,” Becanic said. “They’re enjoyable people to come and work with every day. That helps you make it through the difficult days. The pressure is what you make it. It was there at the start of the season and hasn’t subsided. It challenges you to do your best and work hard.”
And Becanic is hopeful that hard work will help alleviate some of that pressure.
Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog: www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
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