The IHL has named Al Sims its coach of the year. The award will be presented Sunday. Here are some of the things Al had to say about it:
``From what I've seen around the league I think we have a really talented team and a famous coach once said not everybody can win with talent, but nobody can win without it. I think we've got a really talented group here and I've had success with them. These guys take my ideas to great heights. They play the systems that I put into place and those guys execute and do the things that we need them to do. It's a group that can really think the game out there. It's a pleaseure coaching them.''
Asked if he feels redeemed after so many people doubted his hiring:
``Not really. The people who had questions about me coming in here hopefully got answered. People who were happy to see me come back are probably happy to see the team doing as well as they are. It's just one of those things, we came back and got a great group right away. I thinkwe only had four returning players. it was a big job but David and Michael certainly helped me with the recruiting. Fort Wayne gives you the opportunity to win with the players they recruit. The three of us have done a pretty good job this year.
The important thign was that David and Michael had faith in me and let me alone to do my thing. I think they trust me and that's why they hired me and brought me back. It's just a very comfortable relationship and a trusting relationship that we're doing the best for the team at all times.''
Comments
Now Sims has the hardest decision to make of the season. Who do you leave off of the playoff roster? He has a tough job ahead of him. My guess would be that Legault and Shirokov are going to be at the short end of the stick come Monday.
Sims has had an awesome year. I've read that he has charisma and seems like he genuinely cares about his players. Always a good combination in a leader.
I'm sure his contacts in the upper levels (including the NHL) help out a lot.
As much as I love to see someone improve, I would let Legault go for the playoffs.
Blake - Legault has the size to make to it to the next levels, do you think that he has the talent and learning ability to make it?
I think so. He reminds me in a lot of ways of Andre Roy who was also very raw. Look at how much better Olivier has gotten throughout the season. At the start of the season, you wondered sometimes why he even took his stick on the ice, but in the second half he was earning regular shifts. If he can continue that pace, anything is possible.