Coach's Corner:
Chris Shaw

Biscuits and Breezers

  Welcome back to another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! As you might have noticed, this will be the first installment of Biscuits and Breezers' Coach's Corner. You may see many segments like this in such leagues as the ECHL, NHL, AHL etc. but I have noticed a significant lack of it featuring coaches at the junior hockey level, or in any league for that matter. If you have been on my page for any length of time, you will know that one of my prominent features are my player reviews. Well, I thought it was time to give credit to the leaders behind the bench. They put in an immense amount of work behind the scenes, that a lot of times, goes without recognition. First the first coach of Biscuits and Breezers' Coach's Corner I would like to introduce you to Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) GM and Head Coach Chris Shaw!

  You have some coaches that are out there to see wins produced every night and to see a championship fight and then you have coaches that are there to see wins but more importantly personal player development and that would certainly be Avalanche coach Chris Shaw. Wins are obviously important but the continuation and the advancement of players is number one. Each individual player, no matter the skill set or the number of points they put up, has a future ahead of them and Coach Shaw is there to see they get through to the next level. I do have to say though that I like one of Coach Shaw's components of his coaching style which would be that every player is responsible for themselves. He is most certainly the type of coach that holds a roster together while at the same time pushing all the "birds out of the nest" so to speak. Each player that goes through with the Avalanche each season is almost guaranteed to come out stronger and more independent than when they first signed with Ontario. He constantly motivates his players to play at their peak performance level and constantly reminds them to never look back on losses. Always look forward as an opportunity to better yourself and to better the team. Overall, Coach Shaw is a great stable base for players to rely on but he is always a great factor in pushing players to achieve their goals as well as their dreams. 

As part of Biscuits and Breezers' Coach's Corner, I asked Coached Shaw a few questions and here is what he had to say!:

SE: How would you describe your coaching methods?

Shaw: As a coach I would describe myself as a little bit old school and new school. I love systematic hockey but also appreciate how spontaneous the game is. I always have [an] open door policy and appreciate the input my players have. I only have one rule, be accountable for yourself

SE: What are your plans for the Avalanche this season?

Shaw: Our plans as an organization is to win a championship and do whatever we can to help our players achieve their personal goals

SE: What talents do you look for while scouting players?

Shaw: Skating ability, hockey sense, and heart

SE: What, in your opinion, makes for a successful team?

Shaw: Team chemistry. If you have a bad dressing room, you have a bad team. They need to believe in one another and be ready to sacrifice their personal goals for the better of the team

   As you can see, Coach Chris Shaw is a great example of strong leadership behind the bench. If you can, check out a few of the Avalanche's games this season and see collectively what a great team they are!

  Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! Every blog will be filled with updated hockey news, player reviews, and much more! Until next time remember, don't get your breezers in a bunch because hockey is always around the corner. Remember, it's always a great day for hockey and it's a lifestyle not just a sport!