Bisons find their man
Mario Prusina – Times Editor
His resume speaks for itself.
After six years out of the game of hockey, Parry Shockey is stepping back behind the bench.
And the UFA Bisons couldn’t be happier.
The local triple-A midget team named Shockey their new head coach, after an extensive search to find the team’s new bench boss.
“I love coaching – I’m passionate about it,” said Shockey. “I’m at a point in time in my life where I thought I could fit it into my schedule and it seems like it’s workable. It’s close and convenient from where I live.”
Shockey began his coaching career in the 1993-94 season, as an assistant coach to Mike Babcock and the Lethbridge Pronghorns of the CIAU, where he won a National Title. The following two seasons he was assistant coach with the Spokane Chiefs (WHL), winning the conference championship.
Shockey took over as head coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes for the 1996-97 season, leading them to the Western Hockey League Championship and a Memorial Cup finalist.
He followed up his championship season by guiding the Regina Pats to a conference championship, before becoming part-time colour analyst for the Calgary Hitmen radio broadcast team for the 1998-99 season.
He began as a part-time scout for the NHL’s Los Angles Kings during the 1998 season, before joining them as their full time Western Scout from 2000-04.
Shockey was Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Moose Jaw Warriors for the 2004 season, before taking time away from the game.
Now, Shockey is looking to bring his expertise to the Bisons, helping 15-17 year-olds kids play to the best of their abilities.
“Ultimately, I’m a firm believer in what I classify as hybrid hockey, which is the Canadian game – it’s gritty, hardworking, determination,” said Shockey. “It still allows talent and skill (players) to rise up and do what they do best. You can’t hold talented players back. You have to allow them to be creative – they just have to play creative within a structured system.”
The Bisons now wait until training camp begins in early September before they know what type of team they will ice this fall. They will not know what players will be returning or moving on with their careers.
However, according to General Manager Neil Glionna, getting the right coach behind the bench is the first step to developing a championship team.
“He’s going to bring a lot of credibility to the organization,” said Glionna. “He has no ties to any other teams (or players) which is perfect – just what we need.
“I’m anticipating (the) players learning a lot and I’m anticipating a lot of families learning a lot. I just hope they come and listen to what Parry has to say because he has a lot of experience.”
During his career, Shockey has coached NHL players such as Bryan McCabe, Brad Stuart, Barret Jackman, Chris Phillips, Kyle Calder, Dustin Boyd and potential 2010 Stanley Cup Champion, Troy Brouwer.
“If I called all my boys back, we’d have a pretty good hockey team,” smiled Shockey. “That is the reward of coaching – I don’t think that coaching pays very well, but when (a former player moves on to higher levels), that is payment itself.”