Spengler Cup victory and direct play-off qualification: rookie coach Holden’s record is impressive

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Courage, patience, calmness. With these qualities, HC Davos has impressed this season. The elimination in the quarter-finals against the vicious HC Lausanne – including match pucks – does not cloud the overall picture of the new path taken. The new era has begun.

Of courage. A year ago, the HCD confidently announced the appointment of Josh Holden (46) as coach. From a rookie who took on his first position as head coach at the traditional club. It was ignored in the HCD environment that the Canadian with a Swiss passport had spent five years learning from one of the best and had celebrated three titles (including the Cup) alongside EVZ master coach Dan Tangnes (45, no.). Instead, there was uproar and lack of understanding over his signing, as Holden was a wild player and had polished many a chin. As a player he was once an entertainer, as a coach he was a personality.

But getting there required patience – from everyone. Acceptance of Holden first had to mature among the players. His system changes took time. Inconsistency was the only constant for the people of Davos. The cogs of the new game came together only slowly. But neither the club nor Holden lost confidence that it could work in the long term.

It grew among the players over Christmas. The Spengler Cup victory came at the perfect time and kicked off the hunt for the next goal. The HCD made an impressive final sprint with nine wins from the last twelve qualifying matches and ended the regular competition in a targeted top 6 place.

To calmness. This was demonstrated in many areas at HCD. Holden patiently and calmly explained again and again that humility and poise were his virtues as a human being, and convinced everyone – or most – of them. His outburst in the Spengler Cup final, when he grabbed Slovakian Tomas Jurco by the collar and shook him, briefly showed his unbridled passion for hockey, which he also demands from his players.

However, there was no excitement on the scene and Jurco was allowed to move to the KHL. The news from top defender Dominik Egli about the clause for a move to Sweden was also quietly put aside. Other transfer rumors were never responded to. Only fine adjustments were made to the squad, B licenses (Gähler, Ritz) were only released in doses. Sports director Jan Alston also emphasized confidence in one’s own strength. Lars Steiner, a 16-year-old, was quickly recruited for the showdown in Lausanne.

In Holden’s rookie season as head coach, the HCD steadfastly laid a solid foundation for further development.

Source : Blick