By Aaron Bell
Mike McCourt was surprised as anyone when he found out that he was going to be the head coach of Niagara IceDogs for the 2009-10 season.
McCourt, who was an assistant coach under Mario Cicchillo for the past two seasons, was named the head coach when Cicchillo was relieved just before training camp opened last month.
"You never want to see something like that happen with the organization," McCourt told Rogers TV before the IceDogs' home opener last week.
The IceDogs opened the season with a 3-2 loss to the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday and then dropped a 5-4 shootout decision to the Barrie Colts at home on Saturday. Despite their lack of wins to open the season, McCourt believes that the team has the pieces in place to enjoy a productive year.
"We have a strong nucleus back from last year so we're not starting from scratch," McCourt said. "So far it's been great. I think we've got a good start on things."
The Brockville native played Jr. A in his hometown before moving on to St. Lawrence University on a hockey scholarship. After graduation, McCourt had stops with the Canadian National Team as well as playing minor pro and in Europe. He finished his playing career as a player/assistant coach with Fresno in the West Coast Hockey League. A shoulder injury forced him to give up playing the game in 2002. He joined the IceDogs staff in 2007.
"When I had the injury and had the opportunity to get behind the bench - I think you still have that competitiveness flowing through your veins," McCourt said. "Being behind the bench is the next best thing. It was a prelude into coaching. I couldn't see myself not involved in the game in some capacity so to be fortunate enough to be coaching in the Ontario Hockey League is very special."
After promoting McCourt, IceDogs' GM Dave Brown added Frank Girhiny and former Oshawa Generals' coach Randy Ladouceur to the staff as assistants.
"We were fortunate that we got Randy Ladouceur on board rather quickly and Frank Girhiny jumped on board," McCourt said. "They're both great hockey people and I think it's made the transition a little bit easier."
The team is going through some fine-tuning with their new coach but scoring leader Andrew Agozzino believes that McCourt is going to have a positive influence on the team.
"Obviously it's a bit of an adjustment," Agozzino said. "Mike's been great so far and everybody has kind of gelled together and bought into the new system. It's been really good so far."
McCourt is looking forward to helping the IceDogs build on their 63-point season from last year and proving that he is capable of being a successful head coach at this level.
"I think I'm a good communicator," McCourt said. "I think I let guys know where they stand and that's the constant thing that players want. As a player you don't like to be left in the dark. You want to know where you stand whether it's good or bad - you have to have that constant feedback. I'm a hands-on guy. I like to be organized and prepared and our team is the same."
