As expected, the Vancouver Canucks introduced Travis Green as their 19th head coach in franchise history at a press conference at Rogers Arena on Wednesday.
Green took to the podium alongside team president Trevor Linden and general manager Jim Benning to answer questions about his qualifications and explain his vision for the future.
One of the more interesting tidbits to arise: Linden stated that the team didn't interview any other potential candidates.
Some might argue that the team didn't do its due diligence by exploring other options, but I'm not surprised by this. As Linden said during the press conference, Green has basically been interviewing for this job for the last four years while he has been in Utica. He has long been seen as the heir apparent for the Canucks gig.
Remember last summer, when he was in the mix for the coaching jobs in Anaheim and Calgary? Even then, there was great concern about losing him, because the Canucks wanted him to be their next coach. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Willie Desjardins, even back then. Perhaps the writing was on the wall for Willie no matter how this season ended, with Green's AHL contract expiring and his feet getting itchier.
With the Utica Comets' season complete, I'm not sure how much longer Green would have been under contract with the Canucks organization—certainly not past July 1. By moving quickly, Linden and Benning were able to land their man before the waters were muddied by other teams that might be interested—the Florida Panthers were one team that was said to have interest in Green.
Because he's being promoted from within the organization, Green already has a head start on Vancouver's last two coaching hires, Desjardins and John Tortorella. He has a solid working relationship with the management group and is familiar with many of the players he'll be working with next season. He gets another boost by starting his job in April instead of June.
I won't dig too deeply into Green's statements. Rest assured that, like every other hockey person on the first day of his new gig, he did say "Nobody wants to win more than me," and rolled out a few other tried-and-true hockey cliches.
That being said, he came off as sharp and articulate, and seems to have a bit of a sense of humour. I liked his wry chuckle when Sportsnet's TV colour man John Garrett introduced himself, then offered his congratulations on the new job and added, "Good luck."
Green should benefit from humble expectations next season—and he'll have plenty of raw material to work with through development camp and training camp, as the prospect pool is starting to get populated.
I know I'm looking forward to seeing a new person try his hand at putting the pieces of the Canucks puzzle together—and I'm okay with it being the expected option.
I find this tidbit intriguing, too:
Poker success requires a sharp mind, the ability to make snap decisions and tremendous patience.
I have a friend whose husband plays professionally in Vegas. The most interesting part of the gig that he shared with me is that he has to be prepared to lose nine out of 10 times that he sits down at a table—the cards just won't be there. He says the key to success is to keep things in perspective when they don't go your way and be ready to capitalize when you do get your opportunities.
I'm intrigued to see how that skill translates with Green, especially when it comes to in-game coaching decisions.
Of course, another key part of poker success is the ability to disguise and deflect your true thoughts and intentions. I expect Green will be cagey with both his players and the media in his coaching role, though he presents himself as straight-up:
It'll be interesting to see how Jake Virtanen comes to camp next season after having spent the better part of his second pro season with Green in Utica.
Looks like Jake is back in the Fraser Valley for the summer, part of the Warriors team in the Langley Roller and Ball Hockey program.
Click here to see the full roster, which also includes two other Virtanens—and Nic Petan of the Winnipeg Jets organization.
It's expected that Nolan Baumgartner will join Green behind the Canucks bench:
Baumgartner was a defenseman who was part of the wildly successful Kamloops Blazers organization, then was drafted 10th overall by the Washington Capitals in 1994. He struggled to make it at the top level, playing just 143 career NHL games, but 99 of those games were in a Vancouver uniform—in a few separate stints between 2002 and 2010.
He has been working as an assistant coach with the Canucks' affiliates ever since his retirement in 2012—first with the Chicago Wolves, then with the Comets.
To wrap up—in case you were wondering:
I was amused to see that this year, the team is going out of its way to manage expectations:
No sad faces this year if Vancouver ends up picking fifth again!
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