WBL Head Coach

Discussion of Minnesota Girls High School Hockey

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frozenfeet
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:03 pm

Post by frozenfeet »

I truly have nothing against Mr. Kwapick, as he appears to be a very nice man. I wish him the best of luck coaching the team, not only for him, but also mostly for the sake of the girls on the team. There is a lot besides hockey that kids learn from a great coach. In addition, some of these girls put in a lot of effort both on and off-season with hockey and deserve a great coach. These girls’s may not have the opportunities to play professional sports, but my guess is that some have wishes and desires to go to a good college and get a great education in addition to playing a sport they are passionate about. The open coaching position in WBL provided an opportunity for a non-parent coach to come in with some new ideas and real experience coaching at the high school level. This may have provided a fresh start, new culture, etc.
It would have been nice to get someone in who could be more objective in selecting and coaching the girl’s. As a parent, I don’t see how Mr. Kwapick can truly be objective in not only selecting a team, but also in how he plays the team. He will be making decisions related to his own child, her close friends, and friends of Mr. Kwapick’s. From my experience, it is very seldom that you get a great parent coach, or any parent for that matter, that appears truly unbiased regarding the performance of his or her own child. Do you honestly think that Mr. Kwapick, (as most parents, including myself), will not be the most interested, motivated, etc. in his own child and her friends? I hope this doesn’t cause problems, because it will in turn cause dissention between the girls’s, or as Gopher 25 said “chaos”. At some point in time, especially at the high school level, I wish all parents would stop over involving themselves in their kid’s hockey careers.
There have been a number of kids in WBL that have played for Mr. Kwapick on other teams he has coached in association hockey. He may have done a fine job, but at the high school level I think these girl’s may have deserved more. Unfortunately, I don’t’ think some people respect the game of girl’s hockey as much as boy’s hockey, which in turn sometimes leads to people accepting and expecting less than maybe they should from themselves, coaches and players. If the people who made the decision in who to hire for the coaching position genuinely and objectively cared about all the players on this team, they would have found a way to hire the best. The best coach would have taught, guided, and inspired these girls to reach their fullest potential both on and off the ice. I truly hope Mr. Kwapick demonstrates the skills to do this. His performance will impact an entire group of girls.
rinkrat90
Posts: 44
Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:02 pm

Post by rinkrat90 »

It would be interesting to find out if the WBL AD talked to other AD's who have had experience with parent-coaches; probably would be enlightening.
Melvin44
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Post by Melvin44 »

Jerry will truly be objective and won't play his daughter or her friends if they don't deserve to be playing. He's a smart guy and knows everyone will be watching.

That being said almost every parent feels their daughter deserves to be playing varsity and most don't understand the game. So no matter what a coach does it will be wrong to someone? A coach has very tough decisions and ideas on who deserves to be playing. You can't always play 15 scorers or 15 defensemen or 15 goalies.

My point is a coach can never think about a friend or daughter he must think of the team. I would never lose a friendship over my daughters playing time and hopefully all the parents from WBL will not question the coach. He won the job and let him coach the way he wants. Yes Jerry you can cut my daughter and I will still be your friend. But you better win! J.K.

Jumpstart

I love ya and yes I know most kids will always go to other schools for specific reasons. But I do know for a fact that at least 2 girls left because of the program (youth and HS). Come and talk with me and I'll tell you who they are. Everyone says their leaving because of other reasons otherwise people would resent them.
ghshockeyfan
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Location: Inver Grove Heights, MN
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Post by ghshockeyfan »

I've read a bit on this thread and just some comments...

1) Goski didn't interview for this job, but the candidate pool was obviously very deep as is the talent pool in WBL. The names I've heard (rumored) are outstanding and we may see some of these same names come up for the Edina opening I would imagine if geography isn't an issue, but no matter what these top youth producing programs in the state should see deep candidate pools. It should be noted that at times candidates may apply and then decide against pursuing the position or accepting it as it may not be as ideal as it initially seemed once more info. is gathered. This isn't a knock against the program, but can be just more a personal issue for an applicant relative to their own life. Also, some applicants apply to stay up-to-speed in the interviewing skills associated with coaching positions etc. I've interviewed for jobs I didn't necessarily want for this reason. May sound crazy but I know others that do the same.

2) Parent coaches aren't always bad or good. Will Palmquist at SSP become a "bad" coach when his daughter hits the HS team in the next few years? No. Of course not! One nice thing about having a "new" parent coach is that it is likely that the period of acclimation may be easier and of shorter duration than if you have an outsider. There are other challenges though too unique to the parent-coach scenario…

3) In the situation of any new coach there will be a period of acclimation. I won't judge any coach, or anyone in any new position, based on how they do the first year alone. It's probably year 2+ that really defines the quality of the job performed. Also though, you have to take into consideration the context of the situation. What if year one is the last of a great run for a program and major program rebuilding begins based on graduation, etc. after that? Then I judge the coach based on the "what did (s)he get out of the talent they had" criteria each season. Not easy to do if you really don't look at what they are handed year-to-year. If handed the same talent on a yearly basis, as may be the case at WBL or Edina, the case should be made that a successful coach should improve the team each season record, wins, etc., etc. wise as the team acclimates to the coach, coach to the position, etc., etc. Else, if not handed consistent talent to deal with, then it may have to be a different criteria for judging quality of coaching. All too often we have people that have unrealistic expectations of programs that aren't handed talent like the WBL's & Edina's, etc. of the G Hockey world. I judge any coach based on what they do with the talent they have. If given a lot of talent and they win a lot then they did their job, but are they better than a coach that overachieved without anywhere near as much talent? That's for each individual to decide & form their opinion I guess. We routinely give "coach of the year" awards to the coaches that win the most even if given the most talent. I'm not certain that these winners are always more deserving than coaches that have really overachieved but not won as much as those with much more talent. We should also note that while year 2+ are the true fair judgment years with all this in mind, many G HS coaches don’t' get to year 3... Turnover is amazing - likely due in part to unrealistic expectations, etc.

4) In the case of WBL specifically, they play in an amazing conf. and likely have a very tough schedule. It sounds like they have a talented group to deal with but player retention will be critical - as it is in any program. Kids will leave no matter how great the coach or accomplishment of the team. This can be for many reasons, many times not related to the coach, but sometimes people attach it to the coach alone. I've even heard of transferring rumors using the coach as an excuse for rationale as it's easier & more controversial sometimes than citing the real truth. To leave a school due to a coach alone is really unfortunate. Has it happened? I'm sure it has, but usually it's a combination of things more based on items other than the coach alone.

5) I've never heard of or met Coach Kwapick but I'm pulling for him and he has my backing. It's a tough position, tougher in some ways as a parent coach, and even more so in some ways in a top talent program (different from the problem of not having as much top talent, but still challenging for other reasons). Expectations will be high, but should be realistic, and should take into consideration a period of acclimation, etc. Best of luck to WBL & congrats to new Head Coach Kwapick!!!
joehockey
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Post by joehockey »

This is interesting hire and a successful WBL youth coach.

I was visiting with a few Edina parents of a current players and didn't realize the Edina coach who just left had coached the U12 and U14 teams that competed against the WB youth teams for state. Not sure of all the details but some of the strengths of knowing girls stated here are the reasons the Edina coach or reason for change.

Edina might be THE coaching job to step into as they have the ability to win state next year with their returning talent and a great youth program that is very deep. It will be interesting to see if a top HS coach is attracted or will it be an Edina Alum/parent - sounds like a lot of both are interested talking to parents in the program.
Bensonmum
Posts: 523
Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:22 pm

Post by Bensonmum »

To Melvin44,
It's bothered me for some time now that you would post the names of people who supposedly applied for the WBL job and lost out. Have you considered for a minute that some might not want the world to know that they've applied for a job and didn't get it? Would you want everyone in the industry you work in to know every time you applied for a job and weren't hired? Add to this the fact that apparently your information isn't even accurate and I think the sensible thing would be to remove these posts that 'name names'. I've already e-mailed the moderators of the forum to remove them but they haven't responded yet. Maybe you could do so instead.
Melvin44
Posts: 390
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:43 am

Post by Melvin44 »

Bensonmum,

The names I mentioned are speculation as I only know a few names and no I wouldn't mind my name being posted for a position I was applying for especially if I were qualified and didn't even get an interview. I think everyone should know that quality coaches did apply at WBL and weren't ever considered. People will always know who applied for positions whether they're posted on a website or not.

I just was stating my confusion over the fact that these quality coaches should have at least got an interview if indeed they applied. I would've been happy with any of the names I mentioned as coaches for WBL and feel an AD should interview all potential candidates. I'm hearing he only interviewed 2 people. The names mentioned are all great coaches and deserved better. I thought I was doing these coaches justice as people were already talking about them.
Last edited by Melvin44 on Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:50 pm, edited 3 times in total.
MNHockeyFan
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Post by MNHockeyFan »

joehockey wrote:Edina might be THE coaching job to step into as they have the ability to win state next year with their returning talent and a great youth program that is very deep. It will be interesting to see if a top HS coach is attracted or will it be an Edina Alum/parent - sounds like a lot of both are interested talking to parents in the program.
Slightly off topic here, but I'll just add that the big problem with Edina is being able to meet the VERY high expectations of the parents. They have so much depth in the program, even compared to WBL. Looking ahead, there will be many good hockey players who will not be able to make varsity, just due to numbers. Whoever is hired will receive LOTS of complaints and pressure even if he or she does meet expectations in terms of wins and losses.

Speaking of which, I just looked at Edina's record over the last two years and Mr. Stephan was 41-9-2, and yet this apparently wasn't good enough? And even though some coaches may have had a slightly better winning percentage, Edina's schedule was about as difficult as any team in the State.

Whoever is hired as Stephan's replacement will have his work cut out for him, that's for sure.
smiles
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Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 11:20 am

Post by smiles »

Jerry is capable of coaching this team. It is proven that Coaches with kids on the team are 5 times harder on there own kids then the other players....let just remember that. So think about the kid, give Jerry a chance to prove him self for he has in the past. Now that he know longer coaches with Greg Doyle he will stay fair and true to the game. Doyle was a joke....Give Jerry a chance he will suprise you all...Kwapick knows Hockey!!
As far as mentioning girls that left for other teams....from what I heard they where all in private schools and white bear already knew who was staying and going. ( with the exception of a few unstable people) Education believe it or not comes first before hockey.
If you are good on the ice you will rise above no matter what team you're on.
Melvin44
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Post by Melvin44 »

I agree Jerry is a very good coach who knows the game. I also agree he is much better not being a co-head coach. He has a plan and the girls are coming together as a team and all are getting along which wasn't the case the last few years. My daughter really likes him. She made the comments that coach actually talks to the players during games. he actually gives instructions to everyone and makes players better. She also has stated we've never worked so hard during the summer and she is excited for the season.

I'll admit I had wanted a non-parent coach but Jerry has been great. I don't care what our record will be as long as girls are being taught/pushed and actually getting better not worse during a High School season.
keepitreal
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Post by keepitreal »

With all the scrutiny, I think most AD's would rather set their hair on fire than hire the parent of a current player to coach a varsity sport. So when they do (hire one that is), it's a pretty good indication they feel certain of the coach's abilities and integrity. You have to applaud the courage of the AD-- sounds like it's working out well so far.
WBLHockey
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Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:32 pm

Post by WBLHockey »

WBL girls hockey is a disaster again this year. New coach same old crap. As far as the new coach playing his daughter, it is blatantly obvious he favors his daughter. Last season she went from playing some varisity at the beginning of the year to being put down to JV at the end of the year. Then miraculously this year she is on the STARTING LINE.
Last edited by WBLHockey on Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
Melvin44
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Post by Melvin44 »

What!!! WBL is 12-6-1 and in 3rd place in the very strong suburban east conference. They went to OT against GRG, Roseville, and Centennial and only lost to NSP because they were missing 3 of their top 6 players. As for the coaches daughter I feel she has came along way and has scored some pretty important goals. She has one of the hardest shots on the team and therefore plays the PP. She also is top 4 in scoring. She is definitely a top 4 D on the team! She actually plays less than 3 other D's on the team.

Last year is not this year and I feel other than playing to many players it has been much better than years past. This years team is better conditioned and prepared. Also remember we have 2 goalies whom have never played at this level. Maybe you're one of the parents who needs to look at the whole picture. Hockey is a game about opportunities and capitalizing on the opportunities. If your daughter isn't capitalizing this year don't blame the coach.

Try being supportive especially during the season. If your daughter is complaining tell to try harder and good things will happen. Sections are a few weeks away and the players need to be on the same page and positive.

My daughter believes in this team and thinks the team can make it to STATE. She's been trying to get the whole team to feel the same way and has gotten comments like. When has WBL made it past the 1st game? That is a comment from a player who listens to her parent’s negative talk.

Lets all try and be supportive of the team during the season and see how it plays out.
Homer
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Post by Homer »

Is it true that one of WBL's top players skipped a game at the Centennial tourney to go to a Wild game?
Joethehockeydad
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Joined: Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:11 pm

Post by Joethehockeydad »

WBL a "disaster"??? I agree with Melvin that there is no way to call this year and record, in a difficult conference, a disaster. Sounds more like sour grapes to me. Sounds like the daughter worked extra hard in the off-season and EARNED her minutes. Perhaps others should have followed her lead in work ethic and attitude.
WBLHockey wrote:WBL girls hockey is a disaster again this year. New coach same old crap. As far as the new coach playing his daughter, it is blatantly obvious he favors his daughter. Last season she went from playing some varisity at the beginning of the year to being put down to JV at the end of the year. Then miraculously this year she is on the STARTING LINE.
hockfan1980
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Joined: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:46 pm

Post by hockfan1980 »

I've seen WBL play a couple of times once against our team and coaches daughter played good. They play her alot with #4 which helps very solid D who rarely gets beat. To me thats great coaching! I do hope there's in fighting as it will help if we play them in sections. Keep it up WBL hockey :D
Last edited by hockfan1980 on Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
goalzilla
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Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:34 am

Post by goalzilla »

Tough position for the player and the coach to be in. I'm sure he knows all eyes are on him especially where his daughter is cocerned. Pretty good guess that she earns every minute she gets. Those of us who have coached our own children know we are are usually a bit harder on them than the rest of the team for that reason. As far as an assessment of WBL as a team. First year as coach I'm sure he's moving grils around to find the right combination. He still has a few weeks to get it figured out before playoffs. IMO his biggest concern should be the goaltending; may want to give consideration to giving Abramson a shot at Varsity play if he hasnt already she appears to be more fluid in the crease.
Melvin44
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Post by Melvin44 »

They do rotate goalies including Maddie. Both have played great most games and struggled in some. That's why I wish the Assistant would work a little more with them. They both play in the net to much and need a little work on angles and covering the puck. Goalies are sometimes forgotten for most teams at practice and want/need some individual time and be pushed.

Thanks Hf80. My daughters #4 and it's nice to hear positive stuff. As far as Coaches daughter my kid commented many times during the summer how hard she was working and yes coach pushes her hard. My daughter loves to play with her because she listens and wants to learn.

Let's all try not to say mean things about the girls. How would you feel WBL Hockey if someone slammed your child. What was your name again?? Don't think I'll get a answer to that question.
jumpstart
Posts: 165
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Post by jumpstart »

WBLHockey wrote:WBL girls hockey is a disaster again this year. New coach same old crap. As far as the new coach playing his daughter, it is blatantly obvious he favors his daughter. Last season she went from playing some varisity at the beginning of the year to being put down to JV at the end of the year. Then miraculously this year she is on the STARTING LINE.
I respectfully disagree. While the program is not perfect [show me one that is?], it is not a "disaster."

It may appear the coach's daughter gets extra playing time as she is out on over 90 percent of the power plays, but overall she gets no more playing time that the other top 3 defensemen. (The other set of defense covers most of the penalty kills.) She has a nice shot and has had success. Now, could the other defensemen have that same sucess given the same opportunities? Who knows ...

I think stats can be deceiving. One would expect a defenseman who plays on virtually all of the power plays and often plays with the #1 line of forwards to get goals and assists. In my opinion, a defenseman who plays good, consistent defense is equally valuable to a team. I don't really care who scores so long as someone from WBL does. It is, after all, a team sport.

I believe that the parents of the WBL players need to cut the coach some slack. As with any job, there is a learning curve. I will probably open up a whole new can of worms with this comment, but here goes: I would love to see the coach ask for input from the players and parents as to what they thought worked and didn't work during the season. I'm sure he would receive some comments he would rather not see, but I would hope he could come away with some good suggestions that he might be able to implement next season.

_____

I would like to also respond to Joethehockeydad: I can assure you that the coach's daughter was not the only one who worked "extra hard in the off-season" to improve her game. I can also assure you that there are many others on the team that have a good work ethic and attitude. To suggest otherwise is unfair.
Melvin44
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Post by Melvin44 »

JS

I’m sure your comments were meant for me. I do apologize if I didn't mention that many players worked hard. I was only answering Joe's post and I don't think he mentioned coach's daughter being the only one who worked hard. You do have to admit though some didn't attend the summer program.

I disagree with you that coach's daughter manly plays with the #1 line and actually feel the other 2 D have played more with the top line during most the season. My daughter rarely has played with the top unit this year except for PP. Last night it seemed they played more with the #1 line but I feel that was do to long shifts. As for the PP. Coach did try other girls earlier in the season. Every team has a 1 and a 2 power play unit. And most play the 1 more often.

As for playing time whoever starts the game at D. Starts every period and then plays more full strength shifts. Coach Kwapick has rotated starts pretty evenly and many games I've felt like my daughter didn't play as much as the other D (full strength). My daughter does probably play more mainly because of penalty kill and as a father speaking would gladly let other girls take her PK time, as I'm pretty sure we lead the state in Penalties. Of course she would always do what is asked.

Most of our girls are young 9th, 10th and 11th graders and there time will come even though as parents we feel they deserve more playing time. My daughter didn’t play much as a 9th grader and I made sure to always tell her to try harder (team first) if she wanted more time. As a 10th grader she played a little more and so on. When your daughters are in 11th grade they will play more and in 12th they will never come off the ice. Guaranteed. Do I feel your daughter’s deserve to play more? It's not my call. and it's not yours. Sucks I know but that’s life. Everyone believes their kids should play more and that their daughters are just as good as anyone else. We love our kids and want them to be happy.

Yes, I second-guess sometimes but I always understand that a coach should always coach the way he feels is right. Let's as parents all try to be supportive especially in front of the girls and try to teach TEAM FIRST! Good things will happen and that’s what makes CHAMPIONS! Let’s not teach NO FAIR.!

Sorry for being long winded. I felt things needed to be said, I wish nobody knew who I was.

Go Bears!!!
OntheEdge
Posts: 666
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:43 am

Post by OntheEdge »

Interesting discussion and I'm sure each team has similar differences of opinion. I think I know most of you and the ones I know are all great people with the best intentions. My only suggestion is that your discussion is brought in-house. You are not alone, every team has issues but I suggest talking to each other face to face rather than through a public forum. WBL is a great program but you guys are making us think that there are some significant problems in your program, which I don't believe based on this year's success.
gopher25
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Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 12:44 pm

Post by gopher25 »

WBL Team/Parents,

Please think about this, it is close to playoff season. All of these posts positive or not are distractions to what your team is trying to accomplish. If you have major issues with the coach make an appointment and go talk to him like an adult. If you are a player posting on this board, then you should make an appointment to go talk to your coach if you are upset. I only post this because I think this stuff does not help the game of girls hockey grow. It just makes it all seem petty, which in scheme of things it is.

If you haven't noticed lately even the best teams in the state are beatable now. Looking at the standings from this season Roseville tied Woodbury earlier in the season. Stillwater was losing to Park 3-1 but came back to win in OT. YOUR TEAM IS RIGHT IN THE MIX. Good coaching or not you are a couple of lucky bounces away from playing at the X. FYI if you think about it unless your daughter wins MS. Hockey nobody cares if you make it to state who is the best player or who is the 4th liner. Their names all get printed in the program equally. My guess is if you take all of this energy and turn it into something positive it will rub off on your players. This board gets out of whack sometimes with individual spats. I guarantee you Kwapick is not being paid well enough to be trashed on a message board, its not fair to the coach or his daughter the player to take out frustrations like this.
Melvin44
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Post by Melvin44 »

I agree with both Onetheredge and gopher but when someone makes idiotic comments you must respond or everyone thinks the comments are right.
OntheEdge
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Post by OntheEdge »

Melvin44 wrote:I agree with both Onetheredge and gopher but when someone makes idiotic comments you must respond or everyone thinks the comments are right.
I hear ya Melvin and I believe your coach is doing a great job.
jumpstart
Posts: 165
Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:38 pm

Post by jumpstart »

I think the only one who has "trashed" the program and/or coach was WBLHockey. Most of the other posts were written in defense of the program and the coach and in opposition to WBLHockey's post.

Melvin, as far as playing time for the defense, I believe WBL has 4 good defensemen, and I liked what I saw in the last game as far as getting those 4 D out in a fairly consistent rotation. I am by no means complaining about my daughter's playing time -- she sees a lot of ice time. She has a role to play on the team and does so without complaint.

If my post sounded like I was complaining about the power play unit, I apologize. That was not my intention. The WBL #1 power play unit is having good success, and it should not be changed. I believe the coaches are continuing to work with the #2 PP unit so they can improve.

I do not believe there are major problems in the WBL program, as WBLHockey suggests. I think Jerry is doing a good job and deserves the parents' support.
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