Coach André Interview From World Junior Camp
Just before Canada’s World Junior team broke camp for Europe, we caught-up with 67’s Head Coach and Hockey Ops VP André Tourigny, an assistant coach on Dale Hunter’s staff.
How are things going, André?
Things are going really good. It’s been busy, evaluating all the players, getting to know everybody and trying to figure out their roles on the team. Lot of focus to make the right decisions on the make-up of the team but that’s always fun.
And how has our 67’s defenseman Kevin Ball been performing?
Baller is doing really good. He was very strong in our practices, so much so that we only played him in 1 of our training camp exhibition games and he was very solid. He proved to everybody what he was capable of.
And how about the team overall? Who should we look out for?
There’s a lot of depth in our country … a lot of good players. … a couple to look out for would be Alex Lafreniere and Jamie Drysdale. Those guys will be really interesting. Bowen Byram will be interesting as well but we have lots of good players. It’s a strong team.
How has it been working with Head Coach Mark Hunter?
Really good. We have a lot of similarity in the way we evaluate players so it’s been good.
This isn’t your first time as an assistant coach with the World Junior team. How have things changed since your previous World Junior coaching experiences in 2010 and 2011?
This year is very different than those previous years. Back then, it was a very different environment. We had no GM at camp. No physical development coach, no mental skills coach and no hockey skills coach. This year we have all those guys so it’s a much more professional environment.
Along the same lines, we heard that players are only allowed to use their cell phones for 1-hour per day. You have a similar rule with the 67’s when they’re practicing, training and in meetings. Was the 1-hour a day rule your idea?
No. It was not a Bear (André’s nickname) thing. It was a policy from Hockey Canada and I support it. The players need to focus on their work and team building. So we want to make sure they talk to each other face-to-face and have quality time together.
Are you able to keep track of the 67’s while you’re with Team Canada?
Absolutely. I watched last weekend’s games and if I can’t see them on the live stream I’ll watch a replay. The team is in good hands with Mario, Norm, Milly (Derek Miller) and Young’er (Sean Young). I don’t have to worry about it.
Do you message them?
No. I don’t need to micromanage. And Boydy (GM James Boyd) is around if they need him.
Not sure if you know but heading into the weekend the 67’s are 1-game ahead of the record setting pace they had last year. Not too shabby.
I was aware of that. It’s been an interesting first half. We’ve had a lot of success and we’re looking forward to even more over the rest of the season, but we’ll remain humble.
Our fans won’t see you ‘till the New Year. Any message you’d like to pass along to them?
I’d like to wish everybody the best ever Merry Christmas and I’m looking forward to seeing you in the New Year.
