Since last year, the Canadiens have been trying to modernize at all levels. The development department was no exception with the hiring of Adam Nicholas.
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Yesterday, before the game against the Winnipeg Jets, he explained his philosophy that he wants to implement within the Montreal organization to journalists. His boundless enthusiasm and knowledge are undeniable. He is an excellent salesperson.
His answers went in all directions and they made connections to all sports. Even though he works a lot with analytical data, he finds a way to popularize his knowledge to players.
During his 25-minute press briefing, we had the impression of attending a master class in hockey. It was a rolling fire. We received a ton of information and we wondered how we were going to summarize his thoughts.
“We try to teach everything from time and space, indicated Adam Nicholas from the outset. We try to create these two things with a physical aspect.
“We are talking about an individual in a group. We have to find a way that they all think the same way. If everyone is on the same page, we can move with harmony on the ice.
Nicholas finds a simple way to make himself understood by the players.
“I sell them my approach with video sequences, underlined the man with the red glasses. I have never played professionally. I only played in the NCAA Third Division.
“For a long time, I put the emphasis on rehearsals. In golf, the distance between you and your club becomes an automatism to force to do repetitions. We focus instead on the following fact: is he ready to do these repetitions when the time is right? This is how you develop.
“In hockey, you have to notice how the player reacts when he gets away from the puck. It is at this level that we can unearth several aspects to be corrected.
in the right direction
With the addition of several people in this department, including Nicholas, the Canadiens are trying to make up for the delay that separates them with several NHL teams.
For example, the advanced statistics department was created only last May. A first in the history of the concession.
With everything that has been put in place since the hirings of Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, we can believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg.
“Players need to develop a bond of trust with their coach,” added Nicholas. Development happens through play. You have to help players earn that trust. This is where it all begins.
“At this level, I believe we are on the right side of the curve in the NHL.”
Pellerin, the apostle
In this new organization chart, the Canadian also added Scott Pellerin in the last days. In a way, he will be Nicholas’s right-hand man.
Since retiring from hockey in 2004, he has worked in the American League, but also in the NHL. After several years with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, he was a professional scout for the Arizona Coyotes last year.
“Some players can develop quickly,” said the former player. Others need more time. The important thing is that their progress is constant and that they become better players.