Changes In The Off-Season

While the season is over the Richmond Sockeyes are focused on building for the future which starts with questions like “what’s needed for the upcoming season and how do we build for the future as we move forward.”

All valid questions for not just ownership but also questions that the coaching staff are focused on who might be returning while also wishing all the best for all players as they take their next step in their career.

With the PJHL taking the next step and moving up to Tier 1 Junior A status it’s important for not only the Sockeyes to grow but also the league so as to develop players to take the next step in their career.

Moving forward means changes for the Sockeyes and in doing so the most direct change they have made so far is the coaching change as Cullen Revel will no longer be behind the bench.

The Sockeyes made the change in the coaching department the last week of April and in making that change it’s undecided if any of the Assistant Coaches will be returning behind the bench.

Ownership has made an extensive list of possible candidates and narrowed it down to the ones we feel will be a “good fit” for the team as we move forward to Junior A Tier 1 status.

To date ownership has had a couple of meetings and have meetings over the next few days to finalize the right person or candidate who will lead the team to not just a league or Provincial Championship but also a National Championship. 

It’s important for the coaching staff to have a great and open relationship with the players with no question being put aside.

Moving forward ownership has been meeting every couple of weeks and looking at expanding in the area of scouting, but first it’s important to get the coaching staff in place which is one of the questions players are wanting to know before signing.

For the players that are returning ownership feel they have a good nucleus returning with a number of players who have currently committed for the coming season.

While some things are still being worked out I am hearing that the team is bringing back the Music Bingo which took off like a rocket ship and was so well received.

In addition to growing the program the Sockeyes there’s no better approach for a hockey broadcast like the one that the Sockeyes stream each Thursday night than to offer fans what we call a view from “Inside the Game” and we can do that with “stats”. 

Most fans are familiar with hockey stats and they cover the usual: Goals by period, Power play numbers, Penalty killing and shots on goal. Real keys to any contest.

But … we try to break that down a little further and offer some keys and insights that often determine who wins and loses. 

The Sockeyes are a great 3rd period team and we can look at their goals for and against with the game on the line, and really in-depth data such as not just ‘how many shots?’ 

But where do our shots come from – the front of the net or the perimeter?

The more of those close-in chances the better and when listeners tune in they will hear a conversation between play-by-play and colour that mixes in numbers with narrative.

Stat of the week:  

Since 1972 the Sockeyes have played just under 2,400 games for Richmond fans and the key … a winning % of .648. Now that’s a performance for Richmond fans to enjoy.

Next issue: Excerpts from the major Sockeyes history project now under development ahead of next season.