HEADLINE

GILL WANTS TO KEEP THINGS SIMPLE FOR CANADA EAST

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

GILL WANTS TO KEEP THINGS SIMPLE FOR CANADA EAST

Simplicity is best as Canada East prepares for the 2009 World Junior 'A' Hockey Challenge at Credit Union Place.

"Hockey is hockey," said head coach and 19-year NHL defenceman Todd Gill. "We're not going to reinvent the wheel.

"I have a system that I'm showing them and it's probably similar to a lot of their club teams. I don't think it's going to be too big of a jump.

"The No. 1 thing is having some kind of structure there so we don't look like an oldtimers' shinny hockey team out there with everybody going everywhere and we're playing some positional hockey.

"Once we have that system in place they can let their talents take off and be very good within the system."

Canada East, which plays its first game against defending champion United States on Sunday at 7 p.m., held two on-ice practices on Tuesday and has two more scheduled for today.

"You have 22 different guys playing with each other and they're not familiar with each other," said Gill, who is general manager and head coach of the Brockville Braves of the Central Junior Hockey League. "Just because we have them on the ice doesn't mean we're going to overwork them.
"We're going to concentrate on what we have to do system-wise and there will be a lot of teaching more than anything.

"In the afternoon, it's more of a fun time for them. In one end, we'll work on the power play and the penalty kill in the other."

Gill said he was pleased with how the players adapted to his systems on Day 1.

"They seemed to pick it up pretty good and it's a good day to bond, get used to each other and get a sweat on after spending the whole day travelling (Monday)," said Gill.

Canada East will also skate Thursday morning before facing the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League Prospects in an exhibition game that evening in Truro, N.S. Canada East will then face Russia in its final pre-tournament game in O'Leary on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

"By that time we'll have roles for all the kids," said Gill. "I've seen these kids play two or three times, but that's not enough to put a guy in a role.

"I want to see how they react in practice to the systems, and see what guys are best suited for what roles. Once we do that we'll be ready to go."

JASON SIMMONDS
The Journal Pioneer