We have covered the Defense, Offense and Goaltending in the Scouting The 2014-’15 Binghamton Senators week long series reports as we close out with the last article featuring the coaching staff led by head coach Luke Richardson, assistant coach Steve Stirling and video coach Tim Marks. An impressive resume unfolds with Luke behind the bench in his two seasons earning an East Division title along the way with a division best 88-48-4-12 record, which also tied him for fourth overall in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies.
"You gotta be the best player on the ice, you gotta be the best team on the ice, every shift. (Richardson, TSN1200 interview)"
The Ottawa native has heard the whispers of him moving to an NHL gig one too many times lately. Far from it at this point he says making it very clear, Binghamton is his home this year as well as next, as he wants nothing but spending time with his family while aiming for a AHL Championship. On the ice, he’s all business like expecting his player’s to perform at all times and if they don’t, some could be riding the pine for a shift or two, if not more.
Stirling is another player’s coach like Luke in getting the max out of what they bring to the rink. A favorite in the locker room and well-respected on and off the ice bringing over 30 years of coaching experience to the table. Steve’s hockey career just about comes full circle as his playing days in the mid 70’s for the Broome Dusters was in the very same rink he’s now coaching at.
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Richardson’s staff will find some challenges ahead as this club is once again favorites to repeat taking the trophy as East Division Champs. However a few questions beg to be asked: How will the goalie rotation be handled? Will the defense live up to the off-season hype as the one of the best (on paper) in a long time, and how will the offense perform comparing to last season’s success? More importantly, can a winning season carry into the playoffs and get past the early first round exit’s this team and it’s fan base has painfully suffered in the last two seasons?
(I’ve added a Final Thoughts epilogue on the tail end of this article recapping the upcoming season and what are the challenges this team faces ahead.)
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*Graphic Art Insert by Matt Trayling. Cover Pic by Alicia Strauch.