The Capital Region Junior Hockey League season is quickly approaching, and head coach of the La Broquerie Habs Dan Taillefer says he's ready to get things going for his second season behind the bench.
Oh, how times have changed
As a rookie head coach this time last year, Taillefer says heading into this year, it's quite different. "I think it's quite a bit different, actually," the bench boss says with a grin. "Having a year under our belts as an organization, our staff as well, it was all our first years coaching at this level. For our guys, I know that we had a lot of rookies, a lot of first year junior players, and now everyone is a little more comfortable, they know what to expect. That's all good stuff to have going into the year."
Our house
The big story heading into the year is that the Habs have reclaimed the HyLife Centre after a couple of seasons of sharing space with the Steinbach Pistons. "Very excited," Taillefer says with a smile. "Our whole staff and team visited the room a few times last year when the Pistons were in there, so we got to see it, and now that they got their new setup in Steinbach, it's pretty cool to have it be our space in La Broquerie. I know everyone is pretty excited to have their stalls, have the equipment room, and all that. Really excited to have that."
Contagious community energy
Throughout the year and into the playoffs last season, the community of La Broquerie came out and showed the team a lot of love, something Taillefer says they appreciated dearly. "Our community was great last year. We really had amazing turnouts to pretty much all of our game. We had great support for our events like our golf tournament, we had a banquet at the end of the year, and those events were always full of people. That's what make it special, to have that and represent La Broquerie. As a team, we really appreciate it."
Building on year one
Taillefer believes getting that first year in the books will be huge for the confidence of the returning players, and there are a lot of positives to build on. "I think that everyone having gone through it once, it'll make a huge difference for us. Even just all the guys playing together for the first time, or if they did play together quite a few years back, just having all the returning guys being just a bit more comfortable will make a big difference for us. We're looking to build on that and have an even stronger year."
Confidence behind the bench
On top of the players feeling good about being back, Taillefer says the staff is also walking in a little taller after finding their way last year. "Yes, I think for sure it helps us out, just knowing our players a bit better, setting the foundation, and the way we want to play, and the culture. Now, it's building on that. Working on different things, but keeping that foundation going. We're more comfortable being in different situations and that all really helps our staff going into year two."
Training camp
Habs camp is set to kick off in a weeks time, and Taillefer says he has an idea of what he's looking to get out of the on ice sessions. "We have our tryouts starting September 10th, registration is still open, so we're getting our numbers together, then we're planning our drills and scrimmage around those numbers. At camp, we're looking for the same things as last year, good hockey IQ, compete level, and we'll look to fill out the roles that we maybe don't have."
Fans are encouraged to check out the three days of camps, which will be held in Steinbach. "The 10th, 12th, and 15th," says Taillefer. "Fans are welcome to check it out. All the info is on our website, so anyone can see the dates, the times and the rinks. We have a coupel at the Event Centre, then also at the TG. So, we're at both rinks."
Still celebrating goals
Speaking candidly, Taillefer admits that on more than a few occasions last year, he and the staff would get wrapped up in the game, and let out a cheer when the team would score, something Taillefer says may or may not be back this year. "I think that it's funny, you forget you're a coach sometimes, the guys will score and you cheer as loud as the guys do. As the year went on, we got a little more even keeled, we didn't cheer too hard when we scored. When they're big goals, we have no problems cheering with the guys."