Foote Steps Into Hot Seat

One questions if the thought process was in the works prior to the loss against the 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Giants two days prior at the Langley Events Centre?

We’ll never really know, but no sooner did the Rockets release Jason Smith as Head Coach they formally announce the hiring of former NHL D-man Adam Foote as the new bench boss.

Foote (47) mentioned to the media that were on hand “It’s exciting and it’s going to be a challenge, promising accountability among the players and said they will know what to expect with him as the head coach.

One of the areas he said needs to change is discipline on the ice, mentioning “the team has taken way too many penalties which needs to change.”

During his playing days he (Foote) was a rough and aggressive player during his days in the NHL managing over 300 PIM’s mentioned “We can’t beat ourselves.”

He (Foote) wants a fast team that smothers opponents and stalls them in the neutral zone adding getting to that point will take some time. And he intends to make his points known to the team. “I’ll coach loud. I’m going to instruct loud.”

Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton said Foote, who lives in the city and whose son Nolan plays on the team, was his only call when he went looking for a new Head Coach.

He said he only agreed to take the job knowing his son was comfortable with it and signed a two year contract.

Foote was a former Captain of Colorado and Columbus played in 1,158 NHL games and was recently a defensive assistant coach with the Avalanche from 2011 to last season.

Hamilton said he’s looking to Foote to take over a team he described as “in transition.”

“Because we host the 2020 Memorial Cup, we know a number of personnel moves will have to be made. We are confident Adam will be able to help us move forward, not just this year but next season also.”

He (Foote) played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and was drafted in 1989 by the Quebec Nordiques 22nd overall with 308 points  good for 66 goals and 242 assists and was the last player to play for the Nordics.

Given his impressive record it was no real surprise that the Avalanche took his number 52 out of circulation as a game number November 2, 2013. 

In addition to his impressive resume he won two Stanley Cups with Colorado in 1996 and 2001 and a Gold medal with Team Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Foote mentioned “I’m excited and Kelowna is a great organization and there are exciting times ahead. I’m lucky to have played on a lot of good teams with great players throughout my career. I’ve gathered a lot of information over the years and plan to apply it to the development of Rockets players.”

He (Foote) has two sons who also play hockey and Nolan, is an Assistant Captain with the Rockets and Cal is a former Rocket and a first-round draft pick of Tampa Bay and is currently playing for the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League.

Foote get’s thrown to the wolves early and joins Assistant Coaches Kris Mallette and Travis Crickard behind the bench tonight, when the Rockets host defending WHL champion Swift Current Broncos on home ice at Prospera Place.