A new view for Mike Reagan

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After nearly two decades running his own bench, Reagan is learning what it’s like to work within someone else’s system.

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“I think there are a lot of things he believes in that I believe in as well,” Reagan told RocketFAN after practice. “Some of the terminology and some of the things that he does are a little bit different than what I’ve done, but I’m very excited about learning.”

Reagan has been learning on the job since he was 27, when an unexpected coaching opportunity changed his career direction.

“I got thrown into the fire as a young 27-year-old with zero coaching experience. I’ve had to develop my own philosophy and figure it out.”

That philosophy has changed over time, but Reagan has always valued how he connects with players.

“You can’t come in hot. You have to let those relationships naturally develop.”

Once that relationship is established, Reagan believes the coach’s job is more about improving what a player already has than trying to turn him into somebody else.

“I’m not here to try to change who they are or the way they play too much. If I can help them in little areas to become better players and refine the details of the game, I think that’s my role.”

That’s a different role than the one Reagan was accustomed to in Flin Flon.

As an assistant, he can sometimes have a different conversation with a player than the head coach can.

“Kids today, they want to know why.”

And Reagan believes there can be value in giving players that answer.

“I don’t necessarily think that it’s a bad thing that players want to know why. Once they understand it, I think there’s a bigger buy-in.”

But that kind of relationship takes time, especially when a new coach walks into a room full of players who don’t know him.

“Trust is going to take more time with some guys than others.”

Reagan has enough experience to know that even the things he believes strongly in may have to be adjusted depending on the player or the situation.

“That’s where you adjust. As a coach, you’re constantly adjusting. There’s no template for the game.”

There are, however, a few things Reagan isn’t willing to compromise on.

He learned the value of hard work growing up in Flin Flon, where he saw what an honest day’s work looked like.

“I come from a mining town. These guys go underground, and it’s an honest day’s work. That’s what I want. I want an honest player. I want work ethic. I want good body language.”

For Reagan, body language can tell him plenty about a player before the player ever says a word.

“Body language is a big one for me. If you have poor body language, that’s a non-negotiable.”

Some of those lessons were shaped during Reagan’s own playing career.

He was an offensive player, finished fourth all-time in scoring in Flin Flon Bomber history and played Division I hockey as a power-play quarterback.

But Larry Wintoneak, one of Reagan’s coaches, made sure he understood that offence could only take him so far.

“If you can’t play both sides of the puck, you’re not playing at that level.”

Reagan eventually became someone who could contribute on the penalty kill as well, and that experience still shapes the message he gives offensive players.

“That’s something that I try to instill in the offensive players. You’re great offensively, but if you want to play at a high level, you’re going to have to be more committed to playing a full 200-foot game.”

Reagan left Flin Flon on a high note, winning a championship in his final season behind the bench.

It wasn’t necessarily an easy season at the beginning. The Bombers went 6-6 through a road-heavy stretch, and Reagan wondered if youth might become an issue.

Then the team found something.

“It was like a light bulb or a switch got turned on.”

The Bombers finished the season without losing a regulation game at home.

“We just grew as a team, and the culture was so good. It was probably one of the most enjoyable years I’ve ever had as a coach.”

That experience is one Reagan believes can translate to Kelowna, regardless of his new role.

“There’s a reason why good groups win. If you have a good culture, you’re always going to give yourself a chance.”

There’s also another part of the Western Hockey League experience Reagan is genuinely looking forward to.

The arenas.

Reagan once considered architecture as a career while attending university.

“I wanted to build arenas and design arenas and that sort of thing.”

That interest never really left him, and now his new job will give him a chance to see plenty of buildings he hasn’t visited before.

“I like old arenas. I like buildings with character. I like seeing something different rather than another cookie-cutter rink.”

He’s already looking forward to the WHL road trips.

“I can’t wait, to be honest with you.”

And while he’s no longer the person running the entire operation, he isn’t looking at his new role as a step back.

“I’m here to do whatever job is put in front of me. I know that I’m going to work my butt off.”