Former Ice Flyer Soaring as Watertown Head Coach

PENSACOLA, FLA:  Former Ice Flyers’ forward Brent Clark experienced the first of two consecutive Pensacola SPHL championships. Still, he’s looking for a repeat of his own; as a coach.

Clark, who was voted FHL Coach of the Year, has led the Watertown Wolves to the top spot at the end of the regular season and number one seed going into the FHL playoffs.

“Its is a great honor to receive this award, especially in my first season as head coach,” Clark stated on being named the league’s top coach along with Darin Lane of the Berkshire Battalion.  “Its definitely been a change from being a player, but I had fun with it all season.  There are several coaches I can thank for teaching me various styles that have led to our success; Jarrod Skalde (Norfolk Admirals), Nick Bootland (Kalamazoo Wings), and Gary Graham  – who I was fortunate to have won a championship with while at Pensacola.”

Brent has a few former Ice Flyers from the SPHL championship seasons in the wolf pack, which obviously plays a part in their success as well.  Justin Alonzo has had a remarkable season with the 3rd year Watertown team, putting up 45 points in 35 contests for a +12 player rating.  Alonzo served as team captain until he was loaned back to the Ice Flyers in January.  Undoubtedly the most stellar season honors go to forward Justin MacDonald, who with 102 points in just 46 regular season games was voted the league’s MVP.

“MacDonald is a great player,” says Clark.  “I feel by talking to him this summer and having him agree to come play for the Wolves was great for him as far as getting his confidence back. It has really made him very successful this season.  He has tremendous vision on the ice – a fast skater and obviously a point getter.   I’m lucky to have the chance to coach him; which is weird as we were teammates in Pensacola.  Justin was recently called up to the Evansville Icemen – our affiliate team – where he has taking what he got out of this season there.   He fit in well with 4 goals 2 assists for a total of 6 points in 5 games with the AA club.”

Watertown fans and players are excited about the impending playoff run.

“It’s great thing to have going into the playoffs in having home ice,”  Alonzo said. “You want to win in front of your fans. I think it’s great for the city of Watertown, our fans and us. It’s going to be a great atmosphere here.”

“The team is definitely psyched for this first playoff series, says Clark.  “They have worked so hard this season to finish first.  For some of our guys its their first experience at the pro level, and the anticipation of a first playoff game has them chomping at the bit.  It’s great for the city of Watertown, NY.  They have never had a playoff game here.”

“Pensacola for me was my most memorable time in pro hockey,” Clark related about his time with the Ice Flyers.  “I was fortunate to play for a great team and coach, and to be surrounded by a great group of teammates.  Winning a championship there was amazing; something I will never forget! The city was awesome, the fans were great, the organization was run extremely well.  I didn’t want to leave, that’s for sure.  Coaching for Pensacola will always be a landmark in my mind; I hope to pass through there again someday maybe on vacation or something.”

Let us know when you’re coming, Brent.  Bring Alonzo and J Mac along and we’ll have a shrimp boil.