How Is Tim Hunter the Best Choice for Hockey Canada?

[Crease Master]

I was willing to give this guy a chance but I'm now at the point I can no longer stay silent about this horrendous choice to coach team Canada. Hockey Canada has resources that dwarf all others and a player pool so deep that multiple contending teams could be constructed from it, yet the best choice to coach is some Pat Quinn/Ron Wilson yes man from 15 years ago? Seriously? The game has evolved and shifted to skill and speed, the young analytical minds are revolutionizing the way the game is played yet the best Canada can come up with to coach is some guy who spent 20 years as an assistant NHL coach without getting even a sniff of a head coaching job. This selection reeks of Hockey Canada's old boys network rewarding some loyal soldier instead of using the position to develop Canada's future coaches. Seriously, does anyone look at Tim Hunter and think he's the future of the game? This is a lifetime assistant coach who's only asset is his ability to not be threatening to the head coach. Watching that power play is painful, hockey Canada can and should do better.

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[Thebesthockey]

Also i am sure some players enjoyed being called out in the media by him

he is just aweful

 

[CupInSIX]

I was willing to give this guy a chance but I'm now at the point I can no longer stay silent about this horrendous choice to coach team Canada. Hockey Canada has resources that dwarf all others and a player pool so deep that multiple contending teams could be constructed from it, yet the best choice to coach is some Pat Quinn/Ron Wilson yes man from 15 years ago? Seriously? The game has evolved and shifted to skill and speed, the young analytical minds are revolutionizing the way the game is played yet the best Canada can come up with to coach is some guy who spent 20 years as an assistant NHL coach without getting even a sniff of a head coaching job. This selection reeks of Hockey Canada's old boys network rewarding some loyal soldier instead of using the position to develop Canada's future coaches. Seriously, does anyone look at Tim Hunter and think he's the future of the game? This is a lifetime assistant coach who's only asset is his ability to not be threatening to the head coach. Watching that power play is painful, hockey Canada can and should do better.

 

[Passionis]

Good points but I don't necessarily agree, an old school coach armed with good assistants can be the right person. Look at Russia's Bragin who gets his assistants to do all the 'new' stuff while he focuses on things that never change in hockey- character and mentality.

A real winner/leader who understands what it takes to become a winner and pass on critical traditions is invaluable. While some nerdy young coach can have his nose in the laptop and never connect with the guys.

 

[Pouchkine]

The winning formula for Canada against Russia on small ice and at home is to pressure them in their zone along the boards, hitting all the time, cycling the puck. NOT PLAYING THE TRAP. And who's reponsible for players being so selfish? We rarely see that from Canada.

 

[Pouchkine]

Good points but I don't necessarily agree, an old school coach armed with good assistants can be the right person. Look at Russia's Bragin who gets his assistants to do all the 'new' stuff while he focuses on things that never change in hockey- character and mentality.

A real winner/leader who understands what it takes to become a winner and pass on critical traditions is invaluable. While some nerdy young coach can have his nose in the laptop and never connect with the guys.

I agree with this comment but don't think Tim Hunter fits the bill!

 

[BBB24]

I was willing to give this guy a chance but I'm now at the point I can no longer stay silent about this horrendous choice to coach team Canada. Hockey Canada has resources that dwarf all others and a player pool so deep that multiple contending teams could be constructed from it, yet the best choice to coach is some Pat Quinn/Ron Wilson yes man from 15 years ago? Seriously? The game has evolved and shifted to skill and speed, the young analytical minds are revolutionizing the way the game is played yet the best Canada can come up with to coach is some guy who spent 20 years as an assistant NHL coach without getting even a sniff of a head coaching job. This selection reeks of Hockey Canada's old boys network rewarding some loyal soldier instead of using the position to develop Canada's future coaches. Seriously, does anyone look at Tim Hunter and think he's the future of the game? This is a lifetime assistant coach who's only asset is his ability to not be threatening to the head coach. Watching that power play is painful, hockey Canada can and should do better.

I was wondering how long it would take after a Canada lose before someone went after Hunter, answer, not long, lol. He is a good coach, the game yesterday was fantastic, very even, the Russians got one more save than Canada, that’s what it boiled down to, certainly not coaching. I believe I heard today on TSN, that since the start of the WJ the record for Canada VS Russia is 19-19-2, pretty even both sides I would say. You mention the PP, well in a short tournament sometimes the specialty teams don’t click, sometimes the entire team doesn’t click, no matter which country so relax and enjoy the games, they have been great.

 

[Passionis]

I was wondering how long it would take after a Canada lose before someone went after Hunter, answer, not long, lol. He is a good coach, the game yesterday was fantastic, very even, the Russians got one more save than Canada, that’s what it boiled down to, certainly not coaching. I believe I heard today on TSN, that since the start of the WJ the record for Canada VS Russia is 19-19-2, pretty even both sides I would say. You mention the PP, well in a short tournament sometimes the specialty teams don’t click, sometimes the entire team doesn’t click, no matter which country so relax and enjoy the games, they have been great.

Couldn't agree more.

The only thing even Russian commentators mentioned is they are surprised with all the 'diving' and simulating going on and the Canadian coaches allowing it or even possibly encouraging it (as per Bragin). It's unlike Canada and certainly not good for Hockey

 

[Pouchkine]

Diving comes from watching soccer on tv though.

 

[BBB24]

Couldn't agree more.

The only thing even Russian commentators mentioned is they are surprised with all the 'diving' and simulating going on and the Canadian coaches allowing it or even possibly encouraging it (as per Bragin). It's unlike Canada and certainly not good for Hockey

Absolutely hate watching the dives, could not believe it was so blatant and happening so often, Comtois was acting like a clown. I do believe Hunter did speak to him because he stoped after the clown show in the first period. Kids will be kids but that was hard to watch, aside from that it was a great game.

 

[Rob]

I wonder how many times his nose was broken?

 

[Hfbsux]

I saw Bouchard going down quite easily a few times, sometime in the 1st and once in the last minutes of the game. That's 2 players with a letter on their jersey who dove multiple time.

I've been playing hockey for 27 years in Canada and those dives pissed me off to no end. Its completely uncharacteristic of us while the coach just go on air and talk about our defeat like this: "I told the guys it was a free learning lesson, we lost and we are not eliminated.". A good old Canadian coach would have roast those guys. He had no problem doint it to Lafreniere after playing Swiss and Danmark tho. I guess I expected more character from him, I blame his nose.

 

[jj cale]

I saw Bouchard going down quite easily a few times, sometime in the 1st and once in the last minutes of the game. That's 2 players with a letter on their jersey who dove multiple time.

I've been playing hockey for 27 years in Canada and those dives pissed me off to no end. Its completely uncharacteristic of us while the coach just go on air and talk about our defeat like this: "I told the guys it was a free learning lesson, we lost and we are not eliminated.". A good old Canadian coach would have roast those guys. He had no problem doint it to Lafreniere after playing Swiss and Danmark tho. I guess I expected more character from him, I blame his nose.

 

[Crease Master]

I'm pretty sure Hockey Canada thought they were getting Dale Hunter, and were too embarrassed to say anything when Tim showed up instead.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

His decision to send Comtois out for the penalty shot was a terrible decision.

You send your best shootout guy to take that shot, not your captain because mythical intangibles.

 

[madmike77]

Hunter needed a good tourney to have a shot at an NHL opening. I think he can kiss that chance goodbye at least in the short term.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Good points but I don't necessarily agree, an old school coach armed with good assistants can be the right person. Look at Russia's Bragin who gets his assistants to do all the 'new' stuff while he focuses on things that never change in hockey- character and mentality.

A real winner/leader who understands what it takes to become a winner and pass on critical traditions is invaluable. While some nerdy young coach can have his nose in the laptop and never connect with the guys.

Not quite sure what connecting Hunter did with anyone. He should put down permanent roots wherever he is..there will be no upward moves from here.

 

[Mick Riddleton]

Studnicka looked good in the camps and exhibition games. Played well on the 2nd line. Tourney starts and he is an extra or 4th liner.

 

[ORRFForever]

Hunter can't clear the zone for the D and he can't shoot the puck during a 4 on 1. The team wasn't any good. If we want to scapegoat the coach, we're wasting our time.

 

[Crease Master]

Canada was three for twenty two on the power play. Against Denmark they scored like mad at five on five, but then on the power play went only one for four against that dreadful goalie! Their attack was worse with Tim Hunters power play strategy being used. Ray was ripping on how Finland didn't even have to move to defend it.

Yes the choice for shooter was just dumb on the penalty shot. I love the way Ray Ferraro rattled off three names he thought would get the shot and then was almost surprised when Comtois hopped the boards. If Tim Hunter wasn't an old boy yes man he would have taken a lot more heat than he probably will.

Hockey Canada owes every player on that team an apology for not giving them better than pee wee house league level coaching. Mike Dipietro deserves the biggest apology of all because he played like a champ behind that Tim Hunter constructed mess.

 

[filinski77]

As a Canadian myself, yes the coaching sucked, but the team played so underwhelming that they are to blame for this disappointing showing at the tournament.

 

[Starry Knight]

None of the defence on team Canada seemed like they were allowed to play to their full potential and carry the puck. Anytime a team Canada played the puck in their own end, it was immediately softly chipped out of the zone to the opposition.

Overall, Tim Hunter was just an abysmal coach. His dumb 37 second shift rule that was instituted based on 'advanced analytics' just completely stifled any offensive chances Canada had because everyone just left the ice immediately after they got into the zone. The data that were used to create that rule were probably taken out of context, because goal scoring efficiency spiking in the first 37 seconds of a shift is probably in part a function of goals scored following offensive zone faceoffs or following sustained offensive pressure from the previous line.

Such a frustrating team to watch because they had the talent, but were extremely poorly coached.

 

[13 others]

He was f***ing pathetic. Bouchard had to explain to him the penalty shot rules. Also, he called out Lafreniere after a 14-0 win and then proceeded to bench him.

 

[PG Canuck]

A goldfish would have picked Glass or Frost to take that penalty shot. Tim Hunter went with Comtois.

 

[Mikeshane]

I remember watching the TSN interview with Hunter and getting an ominous feeling when he was bragging about how much he had studied the game and how good of a coach he was.

Edit: I should congratulate Hunter on being the first Canadian coach not to medal on home soil.