Hitchcock’s meticulous consideration to element was examined after forgetting to organize a resume properly prematurely of Kamloops Blazers job interview in 1984.
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It began with a pencil, lined paper, a scramble to scribble, and a life-changing flight.
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The lengthy and winding journey that led legendary coach Ken Hitchcock to a Hockey Corridor of Fame induction Wednesday within the builders’ class, began with forgetting a job-interview important.
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Hitchcock, whose meticulous and demanding consideration to element grew to become his profession mantra, didn’t have a resume ready for the bench-boss place with the Kamloops Blazers in 1984. He had an enviable file as a Triple-A bantam coach in Sherwood Park, Alta. at age 21, however how was he going to promote possession on his Western Hockey League potential with a scrap of paper?
“I wrote my resume on the aircraft,” Hitchcock, 71, recalled with a chuckle Thursday. “I purchased a pencil and a pad of lined paper on the airport, and till I actually obtained on the aircraft in Edmonton, I used to be on a pay telephone. I had a great pal in Sherwood Park go over my file for half an hour, each single season.
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“I didn’t even know you needed to have a resume. That’s how naive I used to be.”
With seasoned WHL coaches like Doug Sauter and Jack Sangster within the Blazers’ hiring combine, Hitchcock was resigned to the truth that he was given a courtesy consideration. He was most likely in over his head.
“These guys had been educating me in summer time applications, so I’m pondering I’m not even in these guys’ league,” stated Hitchcock. “After I obtained again on the aircraft, I assumed, ‘I’ve obtained no probability’. Simply transfer on and return to promoting skates at United Cycle.
“Per week later, I obtained the decision. I couldn’t consider it. I all the time inform individuals I obtained the job as a result of I used to be keen to work for subsequent to nothing.”
Below Hitchcock’s steering, the Blazers rapidly grew to become one thing particular. He compiled a 291-125-15 file in six seasons that included 4 consecutive division titles, two league titles, a pair of Memorial Cup appearances, and training honours.
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There was no secret to his success. Lengthy earlier than guiding NHL benches in Dallas, Philadelphia, Columbus, St. Louis and Edmonton, got here the belief that getting buy-in from management teams to promote the message was essential, whether or not on the NHL or WHL ranges.
“In Kamloops, the intimidation was I assumed gamers knew extra concerning the sport than I did,” admitted Hitchcock. “I shaped a partnership with Daryl Reaugh, Mark Ferner, Dean Clark and Greg Evtushevski. “I trusted their info and data, even when making trades. That was one of many smartest issues I did.”
Hitchcock grew to become an affable and gregarious fixture in Kamloops. His post-game exhibits in a downtown resort grew to become must-see comedy adventures due to his fast wit. He most likely may have run for mayor and gained by a landslide.
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“I knew I had an actual ardour to teach and will deal with it and it was the best feeling on the planet,” he stated. “I knew I used to be in my wheelhouse and liked it. I had no targets to maneuver on.”
When the Flyers got here calling with an assistant place in 1990, an NHL membership desirous to take an opportunity on a junior coach hit house. It could by no means come once more. Similar story when the Stars reached out for him to take over their bench in 1995-96 after Hitchcock was an Worldwide Hockey League head coach in Kalamazoo, Mich.
The Stars would win the Stanley Cup in 1999 to cement Hitchcock’s stature of a coach who may get it executed. An 849-543-88 NHL file ranks fourth and consists of 14 playoff appearances. Profitable gold on the Olympics, World Cup, World Hockey Championship and World Junior Championship rounded a resume worthy of a name to the Corridor.
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“For me, it’s the physique of labor,” harassed Hitchcock, who now works in a consulting function with the Blues. “I discovered a lot about working with individuals. Giving again to the sport and dealing with the NHL coaches’ affiliation and what was finest for them. To be sincere, I’m extra happy with that stuff than the teaching file.”
All of it got here to Hitchcock by being a younger rink rat.
“My dad, Ray, died after I was actually younger, however we spent a variety of time collectively,” he recalled. “He had a part-time job as basic supervisor of an outside rink and we spent each evening collectively. I did my homework on the rink. When it was time to scrape and flood, we did that collectively.
“They had been lengthy nights and I used to be 10 and 11 years outdated and flooding the ice at 10 p.m.”
Hitchcock performed in a juvenile degree at age 18 when he realized the fact of being “a lazy centre who ended up as a sensible defenceman.”
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“There was a battle with racing Ski-doos and practising,” he admitted. “On Saturday and Sunday, I selected racing on the lake, after which began teaching at 21.”
Hitchcock has all the time been a calculated and profitable salesman.
From convincing gamers and oldsters that new skates had been an absolute should, to encouraging gifted NHL stars like Rick Nash, Brett Hull and Mike Modano to embrace a 200-foot sport, there was all the time a way to the insanity.
“That was my energy,” stated Hitchcock. “Convincing individuals they should do it and there was a better trigger for doing it. A lot of working at United Cycle helped me in teaching.
“You’re promoting on a regular basis in teaching. What I did to get individuals to buy issues, it helped my profession a lot.”
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Hitchcock has all the time been a scholar of the sport.
For all his self-deprecation for not being prepared for the Blazers bench place, he has all the time listened to the clever and tried to implement useful teaching classes.
“I went to a clinic one summer time earlier than going to Kamloops,” he recalled. “(Coach) Clare Drake spoke on checking and the way individuals confuse it with defence. It’s every little thing. You verify for probabilities and battles, and when you don’t do it, you gained’t achieve success.
“One cause I had fast turn-arounds with groups was getting them to consider how a lot checking issues, and I’ve by no means misplaced that excellent. Immediately, an ideal instance is Seattle. The Kraken are among the best checking groups as a result of they play by means of individuals and take angles and are bodily.”
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In semi-retirement, Hitchcock has needed to alter his hours and give up to the growing older course of. He’s having main knee surgical procedure in July, however will do every little thing to pay again those that have helped him alongside the best way. Summer season shows have develop into the norm for somebody who doesn’t need to completely go away a sport that has offered a tremendous life.
“The damage and tear from the enterprise we had been in didn’t kill me,” he laughed of his new routine that features golf within the morning and analyzing NHL video games within the late afternoon. “For some individuals, they don’t need to be concerned. I do. I really like serving to individuals due to the individuals who helped me.
“I really feel a way of obligation to try this. I understand how a lot work the forged of characters in Alberta and B.C. put in so I may have success. I felt for a very long time there’s a dedication I have to make to ensure I pay it again.
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“Each summer time, I used to be going to shows at college and faculty that helped my profession and once they (coaches) stopped, who’s going to do it?”
The reply is Hitch. All the time keen to scratch that teaching itch.
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Originally posted 2023-06-22 22:07:26.
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