Part 4
Q: Travis Green is highly liked in Vancouver as a head coach. What are your thoughts on his coaching style at the NHL level? Does anything stand out to you as a coach of him?
“I know Travis as a teammate, played on the same line on the Coyotes. We’re good buddies. I knew him as a person, always knew he’d be a good coach. He’s a student of the game, he loves hockey. He has the mind for that, the ability to try and improve. He’s done it the right way. WHL, American League, he didn’t rush it and won a championship at both levels. As a coach in Vancouver, I haven’t watched closely so I can’t weigh in on that. But as a friend and teammate, he’s one of my best buddies. I love being around him. He’s got that (seriousness) in him. He believes in his system. He can be hard on his players, but he’s a really good communicator, that’s what makes him my friend. And what makes him my friend is going to make him a champion.”
Q: Back in your playing days, How much did the players pay attention to management changes and rumors surrounding scouts? Most hockey fans don’t tend to follow these topics, but Vancouver is a heck of a hockey city. The fans are all over the Judd Brackett right now.
“I paid attention to pretty much everything. The whole organization. Fully invested. As a player, you never really saw them (scouts) as they were always watching other guys. The bottom line is, you have to be concerned about your own play because those guys are always trying to find the guy to replace you. I learned this from older players, that stuff is all noise. If you’re paying attention to that (as a fan), you’re not doing it right. The best organizations lose great people every year. It’s about the ability to replace those people.”
Q: Any final thoughts or closing words?
“The May family loves B.C., loves the Canucks. We wish everyone happiness and to stay safe.”