OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla – On a very hot afternoon of July 15th, Todd Nelson and Gerry Fleming were introduced as the AHL Barons coaching staff by the Edmonton Oilers Assistant General Manger Ricky Olczyk. “It is great to be back here in Oklahoma City once again. It is a special and exciting day for us.” Olczyk said. “The first time here was the announcement of bringing AHL Hockey to the City, the second time was when we unveiled our logo and jerseys, and now we are completing the hat trick today, by announcing our coaching staff.”
The three month long wait for a coach was explained by Olczyk. “We knew this was a long process. We got inundated with numerous inquiries of quality candidates from all over,” said Olczyk. It was relayed that the plan of the Edmonton General Manager Steve Tambellini, had two objectives: winning and development. “We feel that after looking at the pool of candidates, these two individuals are the best to help with that plan. They have a lot of experience and a lot of success. We expect them to deliver.” Olczyk then introduced those attending the press conference to the newly selected coach.
Coach Nelson speaks to the media at the July 15 press conference
Nelson thanked the crowd and stated he had heard nothing but good things about Oklahoma City. “I know the people here are very hungry for the puck to drop this fall. As a coaching staff, Gerry and I are very excited.” He stated his confidence on molding the team as a winner. “We will help the Oilers win the Stanley Cup along with our goals of winning the Calder Cup here. There is no better time than to do it the first year.”
Despite the decision on the Barons head coaching position leaking from “The Edmonton Journal” earlier in the day, Nelson elaborated on his background which was briefly mentioned in the above referenced article. “For the past two years I have coached with the Atlanta Thrashers of the NHL as an assistant under John Anderson. Prior to that, I was an assistant in Chicago [for the AHL Wolves], before that I was the head coach of the [UHL} Muskegon Fury, and prior to that I coached in Grand Rapids [of the AHL] as an assistant.” Nelson then gave compliments to Fleming and introduced him as his assistant. “He has had a lot of success at the corporate level. He has worked for this organization for the past couple of years.”
“The Edmonton Journal” article also speculated Fleming would be retained as a member of the coaching staff, as he was the assistant with the AHL Springfield Falcons for the last two years. Despite a massive house-cleaning in previous months, Fleming survived. “It is a great time to be a part of the Edmonton Oilers organization and I thank them for giving me the opportunity to stay on with the organization.” Fleming said. “It is an exciting time for me and my family and it has been nothing but great words from everybody that I spoke to in the hockey world; to be in Oklahoma City.”
Assistant Coach Fleming speaks to the media at the July press conference
Fleming shared his hockey resume. “I have coached the last two years as an assistant with the Oilers in Springfield, prior to that I was the head coach for eight years in Estro, Florida for the Everblades of the ECHL, prior to that, I was the head coach in Tallahassee, then two years previous as the assistant for the AHL in Quebec City.” Fleming seemed pleased with his coaching tandem. “Working with Todd, I think is going to be awesome. He has won as a player and won as a coach. He brings a tremendous quality of knowledge, so I am looking forward to working with him.”
With a group of reporters asking questions, Nelson further elaborated on his coaching method. “What my style is: puck possession and an explosive offence. Talk to the [NHL] Oilers, what works up there can also work down here; the foundation and structure can be the same. The kids they pull from here, will fit up there and play very well, and have a chance to stay. It is good to have a streamlined organization.”
PHN asked about the previous Championships won as a coach and how that influences his coaching. “The best part of coaching is winning championships.” Nelson said. “We won back-to-back [UHL] titles [in Muskegon] it is different for a player than a coach. From a coach’s perspective it is like a proud parent watching how they grow and sacrifice to win a championship.”
Nelson does not subscribe to the theory that winning a championship cannot be taught. “I believe it can be taught. A person changes after they win a championship; they relish the challenge for the next year and try to do it again ‘cause it felt so good the first time,” Nelson said. “I think the players and coaches understand how hard it is to win a championship, which makes it so great in the end…when you hoist the Cup at the end of the season. There is no greater feeling and you don’t have to answer a lot of questions.”
Contact the author at ghamill@prohockeynews.com
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