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New Phantoms coach is ready to get learning
DOUG Irwin has been harder to track down than a dodgy banker with a private jet since being named Phantoms new head coach almost two months ago.
DOUG Irwin has been harder to track down than a dodgy banker with a private jet since being named Phantoms new head coach almost two months ago.But after weeks of trying and in the spirit of the mounties who police his native Canada, The Evening Telegraph have finally got their man.
Phantoms reporter JAMES WESTGATE put the questions to the new chief...
ET: When did you first realise Phantoms were interested in taking you on as their new coach and do you feel under extra pressure following a legend like Colin Patterson?
DI: "My first contact with Peterborough and Jon Kynaston was early in May and I am very excited by the opportunity.
"Of course there is always pressure to succeed as a coach and that really just goes with the job.
"The fact that the club had so much success last year I will look at as a positive in that a large portion of this team really knows what it takes to be successful.
"We have lost some key players from last year and the league should be stronger, but we feel that we have added good players and it will be my job to prepare this group for the new challenge.
"But as a team it will be important not to dwell on last year's success, rather to rise up and meet new challenges."
ET: Has Colin Patterson given you any inside information about the club to help you get started?
DI: "I have never met Colin Patterson (pictured left) although I had heard of him years ago when I was coaching university hockey in Canada and Colin was an assistant coach in the Canadian junior league.
"But I have spoken with Colin recently and was very happy to get some background about Peterborough and hockey in the UK."
ET: Are you familiar with British hockey and what do you think you will bring in terms of coaching style to Phantoms?
DI: "Despite having never seen a game in the UK I have always been a coach who likes to follow other leagues and countries. I have known a number of players who have played in England over the years and I have sometimes been in competition for their signatures when I was coaching in Italy and Germany.
"From what I have heard, the hockey in the UK can be aggressive with plenty of body contact, a style that the British people enjoy to watch, similar to the style that Canadian fans prefer.
"And this should fit well with me and my beliefs of how the game should be played. I hope to have a team that will forecheck aggressively and cause the opponent to make mistakes due to this style of play. In order for this to work it is imperative that the team is very fit and will remain disciplined in the heat of the battle, characteristics that I will stress to our players."
ET: Do you think you are going to find big differences between UK and European hockey?
DI: "I believe that the level of play will be quite similar to the league I coached in Italy or to the Oberliga in Germany.
"One difference perhaps is that the local players in the UK like a tougher style of hockey, more influenced by Canadian hockey than by the European leagues."ET: Are you excited by the challenge and have you set any targets?
DI: "Of course, I am very excited by this opportunity and cannot wait to get started working with the players in Peterborough.
"I have been very impressed with the management of Phantoms and their professionalism and can see why this club has had success in the past and a very good tradition of hockey.
"Obviously, I would love to repeat the success of last year but we will all be realistic in assessing the goals of the new team.
"But first and foremost I want a team that competes hard every night, and a team that our fans will be proud to support."
ET: Do you feel you have a roster good enough to challenge again. Jason Cassells has come in, was he your signing?
DI: "Certainly, the Phantoms have lost a very important player in Nathan Rempel, but the signing of Jason Cassells was key to help compensate and we have very high expectations for him and what he can bring to Peterborough.
"I had some input into the decision however it was the management who pursued Jason and had interest in him since learning of the departure of Nathan.
"In my conversations with Jason, I was very impressed in his attitude and personality and believe he will be a very good fit for our club.
"He will be a different player than Rempel, but certainly of similar quality and he will be able to be an offensive leader for us.
"Having the other three foreign players Maris Ziedins, Brent Gough and Dwayne Newman return was important as all of them had a solid season and were a big part of the team's success.
"They are very well respected and looked up to as leaders on this team. Losing players like James Hutchinson or Craig Peacock is never easy, but the management have done a good job to add players like Tom Carlon, or young defencemen like Alex Symonds and Nick Compton, and we believe that this team will be competitive."
ET: Do you have any family? If so will they be coming over to Peterborough with you?
DI: "My wife, Sabine will coming to Peterborough with me and we are both very much looking forward getting there and learning about the city and exploring the area.
"I have family in the UK as well, as my brother and wife currently live in West Yorkshire."
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Weather for Peterborough
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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