One day he's playing in the NHL, the next he's grooming players for NHL. It's what Windsor Spitfires' head coach, Bob Boughner was meant to do. The proof is in the performance. In the three short years since he and his staff took the helm in Windsor, the Spits have been transformed from a laughing stock into a blue chip champ. And they're ahead of schedule, which makes what's going on by the border these days even scarier. They planted the seeds of a perennial winner, quickly tasted success, and fully expect an extended harvest...with or without a future Leaf.Speaking of the Leafs and Spitfires, they've got a lot in common. I touched that and more in my recent conversation with the two-time OHL coach of the year.
NJ: Can you believe how quickly you've had success as a junior hockey head coach and owner?
BB: I never had it in the back of my mind that I would retire and coach right away. I thought I would put the right people in place and play another year or two. But I started catching the coaching bug a bit (while in Colorado). I used to sit with Tony Granato and Joel Quenneville after practice and ask them a lot of questions. Then one thing leads to another and it was just the best decision for me and my family at the time. I had four kids and I wanted to settle down. Sometimes I look back and wish I didn't retire as early as I did, but things have been great. I'm making a career in coaching now and I'm still doing something I love. I'm in the game of hockey.
NJ: What was the first thought that crossed your mind when you won the Memorial Cup?
BB: One, that my whole family was in the stands. But two, probably Mickey Renaud. He meant a lot to our organization and every day we're reminded of him. Everyone wears an 18 on their hat or jogging suit or on the back of their helmet. We had fans in the stands hold a banner with the number 18 and I'm good friends with his mom and dad. I wish Mickey could've been here to experience this.
NJ: Kenny Ryan (Leafs 2nd round pick, Spits 7th rounder), is he as good as gone to Boston College?
BB: Kenny has to look at all of his options. He is committed (to Boston College). We have yet to really get in front of him. If we got the chance to maybe sit down and talk and try to sell our program, I think it's the best option for him personally and for us, but we don't like to pressure kids too much after they've made a decision. I'm hoping to have a conversation with him before not too long.
NJ: Is there still an outside shot Ryan chooses to join the Spitfires?
BB: I think so. Drafted that high in the 2nd Round (of the NHL draft). Now with the OHL scholarships we'll be able to offer, basically full rides to kids like Kenny and take care of their education, it comes down a hockey decision. Him and his family have to think if they want to spend four years at university, work towards that degree than turn pro later on or spend a year or two in what I believe is the best development league in the world and make that jump to the National hockey league. It comes down to a hockey decision. And again, it's a personal decision for him and his family.
NJ: Do you wonder why the OHL is not the number one choice for a lot of these kids?
BB: I do. I understand alot of these kids' decisions, coming from a different culture than the kids growing up in Canada, absolutely. Any kid would love to be in his position. Taylor Hall and Cam Fowler will go top 5 (in the NHL draft) next year, I'm sure. Austin Watson and Justin Shugg, there's going to be scouts following us every night. We have a brand new state of the art arena and the chance to win a Memorial Cup and possibly host a Memorial Cup a year later. Things are very positive here in Windsor and we'll sell our program to anybody who'll listen, but at the same time we've got to respect people's wishes.
NJ: Growing up in Windsor were you a Leafs fan or a Wings fan?
BB: I grew up a Wings' fan because of being so close. I try to stay out of it now (NHL allegiances), but I was happy to see Pittsburgh win.
NJ: What's with the connection between the Spitfires and Leafs?
BB: Brian (Burke) is very well respect by myself and Warren Rychel. The way we played and worked for everything that we got, we sort of made it the hard way and I think Brian appreciates that. The style, if you watch our team, the way we play, we try to emulate a hard, fast, grinding, tough team and I think that's the kind of team Brian likes. And again, we won. And everybody likes to associate themselves with a winning organization, winning players. Dallas Eakins and myself played together for a couple of years. He's a guy that I respect very very much. I think there's a bit of a connection there. I think Toronto is going in absolutely 100 percent the right direction. They're under a great leader and I'm excited to see the turn around.
NJ: What was the first thought that crossed your mind when you won the Memorial Cup?
BB: One, that my whole family was in the stands. But two, probably Mickey Renaud. He meant a lot to our organization and every day we're reminded of him. Everyone wears an 18 on their hat or jogging suit or on the back of their helmet. We had fans in the stands hold a banner with the number 18 and I'm good friends with his mom and dad. I wish Mickey could've been here to experience this.
NJ: Kenny Ryan (Leafs 2nd round pick, Spits 7th rounder), is he as good as gone to Boston College?
BB: Kenny has to look at all of his options. He is committed (to Boston College). We have yet to really get in front of him. If we got the chance to maybe sit down and talk and try to sell our program, I think it's the best option for him personally and for us, but we don't like to pressure kids too much after they've made a decision. I'm hoping to have a conversation with him before not too long.
NJ: Is there still an outside shot Ryan chooses to join the Spitfires?
BB: I think so. Drafted that high in the 2nd Round (of the NHL draft). Now with the OHL scholarships we'll be able to offer, basically full rides to kids like Kenny and take care of their education, it comes down a hockey decision. Him and his family have to think if they want to spend four years at university, work towards that degree than turn pro later on or spend a year or two in what I believe is the best development league in the world and make that jump to the National hockey league. It comes down to a hockey decision. And again, it's a personal decision for him and his family.
NJ: Do you wonder why the OHL is not the number one choice for a lot of these kids?
BB: I do. I understand alot of these kids' decisions, coming from a different culture than the kids growing up in Canada, absolutely. Any kid would love to be in his position. Taylor Hall and Cam Fowler will go top 5 (in the NHL draft) next year, I'm sure. Austin Watson and Justin Shugg, there's going to be scouts following us every night. We have a brand new state of the art arena and the chance to win a Memorial Cup and possibly host a Memorial Cup a year later. Things are very positive here in Windsor and we'll sell our program to anybody who'll listen, but at the same time we've got to respect people's wishes.
NJ: Growing up in Windsor were you a Leafs fan or a Wings fan?
BB: I grew up a Wings' fan because of being so close. I try to stay out of it now (NHL allegiances), but I was happy to see Pittsburgh win.
NJ: What's with the connection between the Spitfires and Leafs?
BB: Brian (Burke) is very well respect by myself and Warren Rychel. The way we played and worked for everything that we got, we sort of made it the hard way and I think Brian appreciates that. The style, if you watch our team, the way we play, we try to emulate a hard, fast, grinding, tough team and I think that's the kind of team Brian likes. And again, we won. And everybody likes to associate themselves with a winning organization, winning players. Dallas Eakins and myself played together for a couple of years. He's a guy that I respect very very much. I think there's a bit of a connection there. I think Toronto is going in absolutely 100 percent the right direction. They're under a great leader and I'm excited to see the turn around.
Is Nazem Kadri top 6 ready?
Great interview! Getting Kenny Ryan to Windsor does seem like it would be a huge boost to his development.
ReplyDeleteNice interview. Thanks for putting that up and GO SPITS GO!!!
ReplyDelete