Scouting The 2014-'15 Binghamton Senators: Coaching Staff

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We have covered the D efense, 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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*Graphic Art Insert by Matt Trayling. Cover Pic by Alicia Strauch.

Head Coach Luke Richardson

Age: 45 (Mar 26, 1969)
Birthplace: Ottawa, ONT
Hgt/Wgt: 6’4 210 lbs
Acquired: Signed as a free agent in July of 2012.

Last Season: Binghamton Senators: 76 games 44 wins 26 losses 3 OTL 5 SOL, 1st Place East Division

Notables:

A rock steady, tough blue liner spanning over 21 NHL seasons (1987-2009) with 1486 games including 69 playoff contests. Turned minor league coach in 2012 after three years as an assistant for the Ottawa Senators (2009-’12).

Served as Assistant Captain of the Edmonton Oilers (1994-’97). Served as Captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets (2003-’04, 2005-’06).

Respected figure behind the bench and is well-recognized around the league. Gets the most out of his players.

Devoted family man and his efforts in their D.I.F.D. movement raising public awareness in youth mental illness. Solid rapport within the organization.

Outlook: Won the East Title last season after missing it by a single point the season before, a difficult task in the competitive division. Has a loaded defensive line up in his wheel house that might take this club to the promise land once again. Criticism being his early exit’s in the first round as he needs to get out of the playoff funk having secured only one career coaching victory in seven post season contests.

Assit. Coach Steve Stirling

Age: 64 (Nov 9, 1949)
Birthplace: Clarkson, ONT
Hgt/Wgt: 5’9 160 lbs
Acquired: Signed as a free agent in July of 2010.

Notables:

Impressive coaching career spanning over 868 AHL games, 124 NHL and 311 Collegiate contests.

Won the Calder Cup in 2011 serving as assistant coach for Kurt Kleinendorst while in the hospital recovering from a heart attack in the finals.

Familiar surroundings as I remember seeing Stirls as a teenager, skate on this very same ice as a member of the NAHL Broome Dusters back in 1975-’76 (24 goals, 26 assists in 63 games). Flashy player with a scoring knack playing center.

Helped Luke settle into his new surroundings in 2012 as a mentor and provider of valuable knowledge about what it takes to handle adversities in the minors in using his experience of his 30 years of coaching. Served for two seasons as head coach of the NY Islanders. (2003-’04, 2005-’06)

Outlook: Turned the power play around to one of the best in the league over the last two seasons. Will have some challenges ahead in giving a hand on the newly formed defense. Player’s love playing for him as he earns unconditional respect having what he has given to the hockey world. Next in line to take over the reign’s when Richardson finally moves on?

Video Coach Tim Marks

Age: 29 (Jan 27, 1985)
Birthplace: Brownville, NY
Hgt/Wgt: 6’2 217 lbs
Acquired: Signed as a free agent in August of 2013.

Notables:

After signing a deal with the Elmira Jackals in 2011, Marks suffered a serious back injury in his second game that put an end to his playing days.

While out injured, helped out with coaching duties in Elmira. Hired as a video coach with Princeton University (2012-’13).

Was a team-mate of Mark Borowiecki at Clarkson University (2008-’10). Played two seasons for the Norfolk Admirals (2009-’11).

Marks was hired to fill the job of departing video coach Matt Meacham in 2013, who took the same position with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.

Outlook: Getting through the players with game footage and what is expected while breaking down opponents as the new era of video assistants are here to stay as he returns for the second season with the B-Sens. Coaching gives him an edge at his young age as being that one guy players can relate to on what’s expected from them on the ice.

General Manager: Randy Lee
Equipment Manager: Tom Severance
Athletic Therapist: Jeff Andrews
Assistant Equipment Manager: John Crawley

Final Thoughts

Last season’s club was streaky at times throughout the course of the season winning seven games, back to losing seven, rinse and repeat, where the difference with this season’s squad is consistency on the blue line and in goal. With Dreidger providing some solid numbers to back him up, he might give Hammond a run for his money that will put added pressure on the 26 year old, but I think he’ll be able to handle it. Johnson joining the defense was a great signing and getting back Mullen and Grant makes the back end complete. Puempel, Robinson, Dzingel, Camper, McCormick, Schneider and JGP will take the lead on the offense that should put up some credible numbers.

I think this team will dominate early and finish strong in going deep in the playoffs. Not being a homer by any means and I’ve never been, I just don’t see them falling apart (barring massive injuries) and not being able to compete in repeating as division champs and get over the first round hump facing Wilkes/Barre-Scranton. Even though there’s been some transitional changes with player movement’s, the core for the most part still remains intact.

Let’s take that 2011 Championship team for a moment. They discovered a secret weapon midway through their run and that was Jarod Cowen, coming down after his season was finished in Spokane of the WHL playing in ten games before getting injured in game five of the AHL Finals. The timing was key and having an immediate impact for the club that was severely short handed on the blue line with injuries throughout the playoffs, as he immensely helped his teammate’s get over that hump and help carry the load for them to win a championship.

This season’s secret weapon possibility? Curtis Lazar.

The talented forward will be eligible to join Binghamton once his season is complete for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL. That is if for three reasons he is available, 1.) He doesn’t lead his squad to another long Memorial Cup Championship finish, or 2.) Binghamton is eliminated early, and lastly 3.) Lazar sticks to Ottawa’s roster out of training camp for the remaining 2014-’15 NHL campaign.

Sure it’s a long shot. As they say, one player doesn’t make a difference on a team … or does it?

Go Sens Go!

A huge thank you goes out to Alicia Strauch(@AliciaS20) and Matt Trayling(@Trayling12) for their contribution’s to these series of article’s. Please give them a follow!

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