2nd year Kindersley Klippers assistant coach Tyler Traptow was in fine form for our sit down talk. He had an extremely busy summer back home in Calgary, coaching and mentoring younger players and helping them to develop. He said he was on the ice approx. 20 times per week for every week he was at home! Now that’s dedication.
Fast forward to the 2023-24 training camp and he feels much better prepared and knowledgeable about the season. He learned a lot last season even though it was a tad tumultuous with the coaching situation. He learned from departed coach Ken Plaquin and continues to learn under present head coach, Clayton Jardine. Both have differing styles so there is always much learning to be done!
Trapper describes his coaching style as “I’m more of a players coach and I think part of that is being closer in age to the players”. That being said, he also mentioned that he more fully appreciates the “job” of coaching. Not all players respond to the same coaching style, so its knowing what works with certain players and what doesn’t work.
He said that with the head coach being let go near the end of last season and his taking the reigns for the final games, “I didn’t really even have time to think about what was happening”. There was so much attention focused on him and the whole situation but fortunately he had plenty of help from other members of the Klippers organization. The players, he said also helped him through those final games.
The current line-up of players always seem to be having fun in practice as they focus and learn their drills. They seem more loose and ready for whatever happens. Both goaltenders are also very competitive but also cheer on the other, proving they are both great team players.
So the expectations are obviously higher this season and with this line-up, they can’t miss. Logan Linklater is an awesome Captain both on and off the ice. His reassuring presence and hard work are a model for others emulate.
The goal is to not just make the playoffs. The goal is to finish as high as they can so they don’t have to fight for a playoff spot.
Truer words were never spoken.
Oh, and Trappers favorite movie? Dumb and Dumber. Who knew?
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