ONE certainly has to be considered a quality coach if they continue to remain behind the bench for any extended length of time.
Greg Puhalski definitely falls in that category as the Thunder Bay product has spent the past 26 seasons as a head coach, making him one of the longest-serving bench mentors ever to come out of the Lakehead.
His extensive tenure includes a 16-year run coaching professionally in both the ECHL and the former Colonial/United Hockey League as well as having served during the past decade guiding his alma mater, the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks men’s hockey program in Ontario University Athletics.
In his lengthy stint, now spanning over a quarter of a century, Puhalski has coached over 1,400 games in his career, has registered 761 victories in regular season match-ups along with multiple others in postseason play.
A former CIS, now U SPORTS, All-Canadian in his university playing days at Laurier and honoured member of the Golden Hawks Athletics Hall of Fame, he continues his efforts to return WLU back to prominence and its glory days of years gone by.
Offering his insight on coaching, the veteran hockey instructor gives his feedback on some additional topics in this, Part II of a Net Shots Q&A with Greg Puhalski.
NET SHOTS: You have now coached 10 years at Laurier. What have been one or two highlights for you behind the bench?
GREG PUHALSKI: Last year we were ranked as high as No. 7 in U SPORTS so that was good for what we are doing as a program. I feel like we are continuing to get better as a program. Off the ice, I was also asked to improve our academic standing of our student athletes. With that I’m proud to say we are doing very well academically as a team.
NS: What do you look for when recruiting players?
GP: Number one now is character, while academics is also high on the list. Then the rest of it has not changed as a player. Skating, skill, hockey sense. We feel as long as we have character kids who want to get better, then we have a chance. It’s tough for us to recruit major junior players at the moment so we need to be diligent in finding character recruits.
NS: What is one of your favourite drills in practice and what is its intent?
GP: I always have enjoyed some type of small area two-on-two or three-on-three type of battle game. It really prepares players to think quick and compete. A lot though depends on the players and if they take it and run with it. As a coach, you need to adjust to what’s good for your team.
NS: You have been coaching for 25-plus years now. What are one or two things that you truly enjoy about being behind the bench?
GP: I enjoy the challenge of facing the best teams in the league. Having our team ready to meet the challenge. Seeing our players improve individually and as a group is very satisfying. Watching them believe in themselves and in each other is what I truly enjoy about coaching. If I have a part in that – great.
NS: How much have enjoyed returning home to coach games at the Fort William Gardens either with Laurier vs. Lakehead or in your Colonial/United Hockey League days behind the bench?
GP: I always look forward to the games at the Gardens. The rink still has a close intimate feeling that is very unique. It’s a good atmosphere to play and coach in.
Photo credit: WLU Athletics