Geoff Ward on the 960:
- Intended to stay with NJ, but Treliving and Peters met with him to get him on board
- Coached against Peters at the Worlds, is their only connection.
- Did go through the process of an interview with Treliving in the HC job prior to the hiring of Glen Gulutzan.
- On player relations: says you have to be a genuine person to the players, being true to your style, and establishing relationships with all of your players, especially on a personal level. This comes from his teaching background. Work with each other on and off the ice.
- Asked about having the same responsibilities as AC from NJ to Calgary? Says that everyone needs to contribute, and as a coach you need to challenge the players to do their best. Says he needs to work with the power play and making in game adjustments, much like he did in New Jersey and Boston.
- Philosophy on PP: Look at the strengths of your players. The biggest thing that he's always thought of, is you need to make the opposing goaltender work. Will give some players the chance to play on the PP that did not really get the chance to and could perhaps earn a spot on the PP. What's interesting about the PP is that if it's hot it could be better and if it's not it can be better. Always room for improvement.
- Has already thought of certain players that have a good skill-set that should be utilized on the PP. Looking at strengths and talking to the players and having their input on how the PP can be better will help too.
- The people Ward can work with and the upcoming challenge is the reason of him switching teams. Thanks NJ for what they did for him, but he's ready for the new challenge to getting the Flames successful and building a culture here.
- Aspirations to be a HC? It's more about the relationships, team dynamics, winning, and the culture than having a HC job.
- How the hockey player has changed through his time as a coach? Hockey was a different game ten years ago. The expectations of the players were much different back then. Nowadays, the relationships with the players and how they are being treated are needed a lot more with the hockey players now. The hockey players now need to be let known what they need to do and ensured that the coach needs them and their strengths.
- Teams need to play extremely fast and high paced now. Transitions, rushes, moving the puck, supporting the attack, etc. Trying to get that here in Calgary. Watching the SCF can help show at how fast the game is.