After capturing the Western Hockey League championship in June after which collaborating within the Memorial Cup event, the Edmonton Oil Kings’ comparatively transient low season formally ended Thursday when the staff’s first day of coaching camp acquired underway.
The Edmonton Oil Kings kicked off coaching camp on Sept. 1, 2022.
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“It’s been somewhat little bit of a whirlwind,” mentioned Luke Pierce, who was employed because the Oil Kings’ new head coach in July after Brad Lauer stepped away from the job to change into an assistant coach for the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets. “I’m really honoured to be main the franchise in a little bit of a brand new journey this yr and I couldn’t be happier to get began.
“It’s a very thrilling day and it’s been an thrilling month… having guys right here on the ice it actually sinks in.”
Edmonton Oil Kings head coach Luke Pierce speaks to International Information on the primary day of coaching camp on Sept. 1, 2022.
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Pierce’s promotion offers the staff with some continuity as he spent the previous 4 seasons on Lauer’s teaching workers. However quite a lot of the gamers who helped the Oil Kings win the Ed Chynoweth Cup in June are unlikely to be again.
“(This season will likely be a) youthful staff, there’s no query, and a really keen staff,” he mentioned. “There’s a number of guys in there that need to defend our title tooth and nail, and I feel we’re going to be a really scrappy staff that’s going to work for the whole lot.
“I’m excited for the youth and enthusiasm that we’ve got within the room.”
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Defenceman Logan Dowhaniuk mentioned Pierce has developed a popularity for working onerous and guaranteeing his gamers know what to anticipate.
“He’s positively a man that younger guys can speak to,” the 20-year-old from Sherwood Park mentioned.
Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman Logan Dowhaniuk speaks to International Information on the primary day of coaching camp on Sept. 1, 2022.
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Pierce mentioned whereas he gained extra strategic data throughout Lauer’s tenure with the membership, he considers himself “extra of a motivational man than an… (Xs and Os man).”
“Relationships for me are the whole lot,” he mentioned.
“I need to push gamers to get extra out of themselves than even they assume they will.”
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With the anticipated turnover on the roster, Pierce mentioned “there’s going to be a number of studying classes” throughout the upcoming season. He added that Serge Lajoie becoming a member of the membership as an assistant coach in August has made the transition a lot simpler for him.
Lajoie has a prolonged resume that features head teaching stints with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers, the NAIT Ooks and the College of Alberta Golden Bears, whom he guided to a nationwide championship in 2018.
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