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There’s no ‘I’ in Regina coach Pat Conacher’s team

Greg Harder, Regina Leader-Post March 22, 2012

REGINA — At first, Pat Conacher wasn’t sure how to react.

Using words like “surprised” and “honoured,” the Regina Pats’ bench boss graciously accepted his Eastern Conference nomination for WHL coach of the year — despite the fact it made him feel a little uncomfortable.

“It’s a team sport,” insisted Conacher, who’s up against Western nominee Jim Hiller of the Tri-City Americans. “The individual stuff comes and goes but at the end of the day you win as a team. One guy gets picked out. I guess it’s great but it’s still about the team. It’s everybody (contributing to a united cause). One guy shouldn’t be singled out.”

Truth be told, Conacher has been known to utter the word “hate” in association with individual accolades. They simply don’t mesh with his team-based convictions, the same belief system he has worked so hard to instil with the Pats, who will make their first playoff appearance in four years tonight against the host Moose Jaw Warriors.

“Being around long enough and being around teams that win and teams that lose, that’s just the makeup (of a successful club),” said the 52-year-old former NHLer, who won a Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers in 1984. “No one is bigger than the team and we do everything for each other. I don’t have many rules but the ones I have I’m pretty strict on. It’s always about respect — respect your teammates, respect your organization, be on time. Those little things make such a difference.”

Jordan Weal found out the hard way on opening night when he was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career after accidentally missing a team meeting. Weal didn’t like it, but he accepted the coach’s decision, which set the tone for the rest of the season.

“He really straddles that line with getting respect from his players but pushing them at the same time when they need a kick in the behind,” noted Weal, who — despite his superstar status — has embraced Conacher’s team-first concept. “That’s one thing Pat said as soon as he came in here, he wanted to change the culture. He didn’t feel it was enough team-oriented. That has worn off on all of us. We’ve really bought into his systems and his beliefs.”

Conacher’s words don’t just carry weight with the players because he’s the boss, but because he has been in their shoes. He also played at a level which they aspire to reach.

“He has been on some of the greatest teams of all time,” said Weal. “He has given us examples and stories about those times. When it comes from a guy who has been through that much and has been around Wayne Gretzky, the best player of all time, you have to listen and take it to heart. You know it’s going to be gold and something you can take with you for a long time. You’re going to become a better person and a better player.”

Although Conacher supplied the philosophical foundation of Regina’s turnaround, he’s quick to credit GM Chad Lang as well as assistants Malcolm Cameron, Josh Dixon and Rob Muntain. As a collective group, they’ve pointed the Pats in the right direction.

“They don’t work under me,” Conacher said of his coaches. “We’re all equals in there. There’s no egos in the room. They don’t just sit there and agree with me. Sure I make the last call because I’m the head coach but I respect those guys so much in their opinions. I trust them totally.”

The Pats made immediate strides under Conacher & Co, but the process wasn’t as easy as it might seem. After being hired in the off-season, he arrived in training camp with a huge task ahead, not the least of which being to foster confidence in a fragile team.

“August seems like 100 years ago,” Conacher said with a laugh. “When we first addressed the team and said, ‘this is my expectation of you guys as individuals and as a team,’ some guys were looking at me like I was from outer space. And then as we went down the line they kind of bought in.

“What I enjoy the most — and the job is far from over — is seeing the guys (improve). They can see the reward of pulling together as a team, working hard each and every day, being open to new things, getting out of their box, accepting new roles and responsibilities. We haven’t even played a playoff game yet but at least we got here. It’s still a work in progress. I’m not going to say we’re a long ways off but there’s still work to be done.”

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Good for Pat! I coached one of his son's and taught his brother in a NCCP class many years ago. I stayed in touch with Pat; he was an A/C in Phoenix when I was working there in the late 90's / early 2000's and he always made time to chat. He is a genuinely 'nice' person so it is particularly gratifying to see good things happen to good people. Josh Dixon is a former A/C and roommate of mine. He is working his way up the ladder and will be a great coach in his own right.

Dean
M.Ed (Coaching)
Ch.P.C. (Chartered Professional Coach)
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