U11 AA SOO JUNIOR GREYHOUNDS (Jarrett) COACH INTERVIEW
(Paul Wierzbicki - Soo Jr. Greyhounds Live)
Paul was able to catch up with head coach Cole Jarrett after
practice on Tuesday. What follows is the
audio of the interview, and a transcript.
Paul: Alright folks, welcome to Soo Jr. Greyhounds Live. We’ve got coach Cole here today with us doing a bit of a year end recap. This is Paul Wierzbicki. Cole, how are you?
Cole: Thanks for having me Paul. I appreciate it.
Paul: So, I just want to ask a few questions on the year. Looking back, at the start of the year I’m sure you had some goals in mind and were familiar with most of the group. Now looking back at that; what were some of the goals, and do you think they were met?
Cole: Yes, I do. Overall it was a successful year, I think we can all pretty confidently say. For me, that’s because I feel like the kids got better each time out. Month after month you could see that steady improvement. If I had one goal at the start of the year from a coaching standpoint was just to see that. Make sure everybody was grasping what we were trying to teach them and just to reassure us that we’re getting it across and they are understanding. So that was, for me, the most satisfying thing - just to see how far the whole group came. We ended up winning the last 22 games or something like that? I don’t know if the boys were pulling my leg on that one, but it sounds about right. So, we obviously had success on the ice. But more importantly was the way they came together as a group, and the fact that they were hungry to get better every day and every time they came together.
Paul: Yeah, for sure. You definitely see them working hard every practice and every game, and a big difference from the start of the year to the end of the year for sure. Some highlights from the year. Obviously went on a few different tournaments and had some good tests along the way, especially earlier in the year. Anything that stands out in particular as far as a highlight or two?
Cole: Sure. For me anyway was their first AAA experience for all the kids. I think we played Kingston in the first game when we went to that Niagara Tournament. So that was our first AAA game. And they were a good team, for sure. We obviously saw better in that tournament and in tournaments after. Just the fact that - not only for the kids, it was a huge eye-opener for them I remember - but also for us as parents. Thinking we know what we have in the Soo and in the North for the most part, but we hadn’t really seen the other kids (our kids age) down south. So I think that was one. And then obviously the last two tournaments that we got to play, we were able to win our playoffs for those that don’t know, and also the Tournament of Champions which is the NOHAs. In a normal year we would have gone on to the OHFs by winning that NOHAs. With Covid, I think Hockey Canada’s decided to change a bunch of things, so that wasn’t the case. But I think those two tournaments, the way we played, and it was all northern teams. The kids just played a fantastic team game in all – I think we ended up playing 10 games – and felt like we got stronger and stronger. So I would say, from that point where we were kind of a little shell shocked in the first AAA game, to the end of the year where we figured out how to dominate hockey games. That was really fun to watch.
Paul: The only other thing I had for you was; any words for next year? Things that the boys can maybe work on, in the off-season, as they look towards September/October next year?
Cole: That’s a good question. At this age especially, the most important thing is that they are enjoying going to the rink and being there. And if they have that mindset, if that’s the case, then that space is there for them to get better and improve. It seems to be that’s the way our group is. For them, it’s just about growing their passion throughout the summer for the game. Whether that’s them getting on the ice and trying to do extra skill sessions, or if they want to start implementing workouts or watching what they eat. All those things are things that we’ll continue to focus on assuming that we have the team again next year. As they get older, things that are important – not just necessarily the on ice stuff – but also adding that off ice element. I know they are 11; they’re still young, but it’s just a different discipline I guess that they can add, and it will only help them. Not just in hockey but it will help them in life creating those habits. That’s why sport is great for that. Some people get caught up in it, but the simple fundamental is they are learning how to be active and be within a group environment and a team environment. The better they can get at that – any time, not just in the offseason – we’ll welcome.
Paul: I think I probably speak for everyone when I say thank you for all you do for the boys, you and the other coaching staff. We’re very lucky to have you guys. The kids all respond well to you. Thank you again for everything you’ve done this year Cole.
Cole: Appreciate that Paul. You and Lannie, you guys did a great job for our fans. The fans that will hear this and the ones that tune into our games. It was fun and added a really exciting element each weekend [that] we went away. So thank you guys for that.
Paul: No problem. So thanks again, that’s coach Cole Jarrett. We’ll wrap that up for the season, and thanks for joining us.
Listen to this interview