A coach I doubted would make it big

Over my 27 seasons in the Western Hockey League, I’ve had the privilege of rubbing shoulders and interviewing numerous coaches as the home broadcaster.

You get to know these people well. You travel with them across Western Canada. You are within earshot of any conversation that happens from your seat near the front of the bus. You eat with them. It is there that you really learn about what makes the person tick.

My job is to interview them, not once, but before every game during the season, so the number of face-to-face interactions is endless.

My first head coach-home broadcaster relationship occurred in the fall of 1995.

When he was first introduced, the year prior at a news conference at the tender age of 26, the first thing that caught my attention was his youth. For crying out loud, he was my age.

I examined his very short resume, again coming to the conclusion he was far too young to be taking over the position, which eventually led to a promotion to both GM and head coach a few seasons later.

The coach in question is current NHL bench boss Todd McLellan of the LA Kings.

McLellan, born and raised in Melville before playing junior hockey with the Saskatoon Blades, had his hockey career shortened by injury. He quickly got into coaching, having success with the SJHL’s North Battleford North Stars. A season later, he was being named a head coach of the Swift Current Broncos.

A media member in the smallest market in the Canadian Hockey League (Swift Current’s population is 16,000) has its perks. You have tremendous access to the team. In fact, McLellan was so accommodating, one summer he invited me, the newspaper reporter, and even the TV personality to his home for a pre-season BBQ.

McLellan was always available to speak to the local media core, but his goal was never to be a family friend with the three of us. That said, it was a clear indication that if indeed a gap was present, drinks and hamburgers at his home would form a bridge. Let’s just say it worked.

My best memories of Todd McLellan were on the bus.

While young, he was always driven. McLellan was a deep thinker. Even in an effort to relax and not think about hockey, McLellan and then assistant coach Kurt Lackten, routinely, would be seen sitting across from each other, opposite the aisle where me and the late GM Doug Mosher were situated, playing chess.

I often watched with confusion, until one day having the nerve to ask McLellan if he could teach me to play. I didn’t know a pawn from a king. McLellan, patiently, attempted to guide me through the game.

It seemed only fitting that McLellan loved chess. Skilled players learn to anticipate an opponent’s next moves, something he does with proficiency as a successful head coach in the NHL.

McLellan has come a long way since we first shook hands prior to a media interview in 1994, but it has been interesting to watch from afar how successful he has become with over 1,000 games coached at the elite level.

I’m thankful for the four seasons I had a chance to rub shoulders with McLellan, before he moved to pro and I relocated to Kelowna.

Oddly, while I’ve enjoyed the Okanagan as a full time resident for the last 22 years, McLellan too is seen summering here soaking up the sunshine.

Checkmate!

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