Erie Otters 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part I

[Mata]

Curious, outside of the stat lines and the story if anyone has insights on him as a coach personally. Certainly seems to have a fairly strong playing career as well as coaching pedigree over his tenure.

I like they went younger, but now having PTSD of hiring the next Knoblauch <sarcasm>. The write up hits some key areas, good with TODAY'S development and game. Likes speed, detail, and discipline.

Here's to remaining optimistic, but I also fear he has entered a lions den with what has been transpiring over the last couple years. Our "go to" season and we, at least to this point, have nothing really to show for this season or next. Still in purgatory and it may take a two or three more years to break out of it.

 

[NOA]

Hopefully this will be a good hire for the Otters. His resume looks impressive. I am guessing that DB was waiting to hear the status of the ownership of the club.

Impressive based on what? He’s only been a head coach in one spot, and nothing special about his records especially considering some of the offensive talent on those teams he had. It’s good that he’s younger and has coached a long period of time at the CHL level, but that’s about all that looks positive on the surface.

IMO it’s a bit frustrating they already named a coach. That means yet again DB was (at least likely) involved in the decision so I guess they just are still riding with him? How many chances will he get?!?

 

[Matthew L Wilson]

Based on the fact that he coached at the major junior level, unlike Hartsburg or several of the later coaches. Yes, Butler coached for years, but his record was dismal. At least he was a semi-successful coach, somewhat young, with some experience as head coach for Hockey Canada. However, to your point, the fruit is pretty low hanging right now. Being a friend of DB doesn't help. It appears that Kelowna is in last place, including a 9 game losing streak. We shall see...

 

[NOA]

Based on the fact that he coached at the major junior level, unlike Hartsburg or several of the later coaches. Yes, Butler coached for years, but his record was dismal. At least he was a semi-successful coach, somewhat young, with some experience as head coach for Hockey Canada. However, to your point, the fruit is pretty low hanging right now. Being a friend of DB doesn't help. It appears that Kelowna is in last place, including a 9 game losing streak. We shall see...

To be fair, Hartsburg was an assistant in the WHL and head coach in the USHL before Erie. When they announced the hire, most fans were optimistic about it. Seemed like a good resume. Looking back at Hartsburg resume, it actually appears similar to Mallette, though Mallette is a little older and has a bit more experience. And the Canada u18 coaching means nothing to me. Hartsburg had a year with u19 USA, even BJ Adams got a year with a u17 team. And we know SB had many years doing the same. I’m just not that impressed with it unless it’s the WJC, u20 team. Otherwise, it feels like they cycle through any coach with a pulse

We shall see how it goes with Mallette but I’m not really impressed with anything on the resume or screaming with joy. The positive is CHL experience and younger, so maybe more energetic or up to date with the style of 2025 hockey? Time will tell. But I don’t love that he appears to be a defensive coach, only worked with 1 organization, and appears to have barely been .500 despite some talented roster pieces. At best, its a meh hire to me

 

[Mata]

Based on the fact that he coached at the major junior level, unlike Hartsburg or several of the later coaches. Yes, Butler coached for years, but his record was dismal. At least he was a semi-successful coach, somewhat young, with some experience as head coach for Hockey Canada. However, to your point, the fruit is pretty low hanging right now. Being a friend of DB doesn't help. It appears that Kelowna is in last place, including a 9 game losing streak. We shall see...

His time in Kelnowa appears to be that of he inherited a good team in the 20/21 season. Had without a doubt his best full season in 21/22 only to be bounced in round 1 of the playoffs.

From there his team was essentially a .500 team until this season where they took a dive. Could it be a rebuild, sure, but from the looks of it, he didn't really improve Kelowna, he's merely kept it afloat. Is it fair to put it all on him, probably not, but I don't know the inner workings to speak with any depth of the matter.

That being said, it's encouraging we got a new coach, I agree, seems a little rushed, and we immediately will cast him in a damn near impossible situation thanks to Dave Brown.

Holding out hope that he has success for Erie.

Also, he appears to have been an enforcer when he played as his penalty minutes are pretty high during his playing career.

 

[Juniorhockeyguru]

As a Kamloops fan, definitely never thought he was all that good. He was definitely a tough hombre when he played.