COACH’S CORNER with Stan Scott
I write this from Sydney, as I prepare for our upcoming away games against the Newcastle North Stars and Sydney Bears this weekend.
Flying out before the team, I had the chance to meet with new import player, Michael Forney, who arrived in Sydney on Thursday. After a leisurely day showing Michael around Sydney, we got down to talking about the AIHL over lunch and the ways in which we can take the Thunder to the next level, on and off the ice. It was very interesting to hear about Michael’s experience in the North American ice hockey system and about how the professional teams are run.
My first impression of Michael is that he is a very fit, professional athlete, with ambitions of a lifetime job in hockey. One of his biggest traits is his commitment. On Tuesday, Michael drove sixteen (16) hours back to his hometown of Thief River Falls, Minnesota; and then eight (8) hours later, boarded a plane for thirty-two (32) hours to Sydney, just so he could be here this weekend to play for the Perth Thunder. To see that type of commitment from a guy who has just signed a fantastic pro-contract next season in Europe and could have spent the next few months training and preparing is amazing. He committed to the Perth Thunder and not only is he here, but he can’t wait to hit the ice.
Over the next few months Michael will be able to discuss his experiences and answer many questions for fans and players, from being drafted to the NHL and signing pro-contracts and developing the sport he loves. We look forward to bringing you all the stories that Michael has.
This weekend we have two very hard games against the Newcastle North Stars (read the game preview here) then the Sydney Bears. We still only have two of our signed professional imports in the roster (being: Ken Rolph and Michael Forney) but we also have Andrew Cox back, which is a huge boost for the team. I’m looking forward to seeing how Andrew has developed after his very successful campaign at the IIHP 2B Championships with New Zealand. It is going to be tough, but we certainly have more offense than when we played the Melbourne Ice last week. We will have to play tight, man-on-man hockey for another week and really focus defensively against the North Stars, whom have a very skilled offensive lineup.
All tests aside the Thunder players have to dig deep this weekend. We can’t focus on who we don’t have available yet. The players on the ice need to be accountable, as do I as coach.
I’ll conclude with a fun piece of trivia. Michael was drafted in the third round of the NHL Draft, which is very high. At the time, his foot was in plaster and without injury he would have drafted higher. He broke his foot playing for team USA in a junior world championship, which they won. His line mate was Patrick Kane, who we all know is now a NHL superstar and Stanley Cup winner for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Stan Scott
Head Coach
Perth Thunder