It`s true that Adam Foote doesn`t possess the extensive head coaching background typically seen when someone lands their first top job in the National Hockey League.
However, the 53-year-old former defenseman, officially introduced on Thursday as the 22nd head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, has significantly built upon his experience over the last two and a half years since being given a chance as an NHL assistant.
“It makes me so proud,” commented Rick Tocchet, who was the Canucks` previous head coach until last month, during a phone call from Philadelphia. “He`d never coached behind the bench in the NHL before, but that didn`t concern me because I recognized his intelligence and knew he was destined to become a head coach. Even within the first month of working together and collaborating, I was certain he would be a head coach someday. And I am truly proud of him.”
Tocchet described Foote as a man of character with a high hockey IQ and a strong desire to learn. “That`s exactly what he did,” Tocchet added. “There are many success stories of coaches emerging unexpectedly. I believe Footy is ready for this. His two and a half years spent in Vancouver provided him with considerable experience, in my opinion. He observed a wide range of situations. He witnessed everything firsthand there, and I think he now understands how to handle challenges simply from experiencing them.”
Rick Tocchet, the reigning NHL coach-of-the-year who guided Vancouver to a 109-point season last year, is set to hold his own press conference on Friday following the announcement of his hiring by the Philadelphia Flyers.
