PATS ADD STRUCH
Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats Hockey Club is proud to announce the hiring of Dave Struch as Assistant Coach. Struch joins Head Coach and Senior VP of Hockey Operations John Paddock behind the bench for the upcoming season.
Struch heads down Highway 11 to join the Pats from the Saskatoon Blades after serving as Head Coach of the Pats’ rival for the 2013-14 campaign following seven seasons in Saskatoon as an assistant. During Struch’s time as a head and assistant coach, the Blades accumulated a 307-227-17-25 record while reaching the playoffs five consecutive seasons from 2009-2013.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Regina Pats and for the chance to work with this ownership group,” said Dave Struch. “Going through this whole process I never would have seen myself finishing where I am and getting this opportunity. From speaking to John Paddock, we have a similar vision for this team on the ice and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Prior to coaching the Blades, Struch played 12 seasons of pro hockey including a stint with the NHL’s Calgary Flames in the 1993-94 season. Over his professional career Struch had the opportunity to play in Austria, Italy, England and Germany. Dave played his junior hockey with the Blades, totaling 285 points in 253 games in the Bridge City.
“We are extremely excited to have Dave join our coaching staff,” commented Regina Pats President Todd Lumbard. “He is a key component of our plan to build a winning culture. His passion for teaching and development combined with his experience in the WHL is a huge asset for our hockey club!”
Struch won’t have to wait long to get a look at the 2014-15 edition of the Pats. Training Camp opens August 21st at the Cooperators Centre with the Pats’ first exhibition game coming August 28th.
Dave Struch and John Paddock will be introduced at a formal media conference prior to Training Camp commencing next week.
Funny how an ownership change in Saskatoon has the team trending downward and an ownership change in Regina has the team trending upward. And Dave Struch goes from one to the other. The Pats will win at least 50 more games over the next 5 years than the Blades, bank on it.
A former Blades season ticket holder
Good hire by the Pats!
Wasn't good enuf for the Blades – good for Pats in recognizing a young coach with a strong upside and giving him the opportunity to continue to coach in the WHL. Blades missed out ….
Now if the Pats could hire Trent Cassan. The Pats will be " armed and dangerous". Make it happen Lumbard.
Ray
Uh, Blades have hired some pretty darn good coaches themselves. Pats fans are like Bombers fans, bring in one big name and start planning the parade route.
Struch suffered from some terrible mistakes and trades Moliken made and was let go because of them. He will show that a mistake was made. As far as Blades hiring good coaches, its a very short list. The only good one I can remember is Jackie Mcleod
Give Regina credit. They understand that to be a winner they need more Saskatoon talent.
No Pats fan is planning a parade route with a good coaching hire, but the Saskatoon Blades still have to catch up to the Fort William Great War Vets in terms of Memorial Cup Wins.
When the Blades close that gap, we'll talk about history of success.
Gee not only Bomber fans, Pats and are like Leafs fans too! They brag about all the championships they've won, except they haven't won anything since dinosaurs roamed the earth. By the way, Bob Woods is a damn good coach and he'll have a lot of success.
Bragging about championships won is totally legit – I believe the saying goes "flags fly forever" and My Ed Staniowski bobblehead doll is nodding in agreement.
I suppose Saskatchewan people outside of Regina and Swift Current are unaware of what is expected from fans of championship junior hockey teams, and pretending historic championships don't matter is forgivable and almost adorable in it's naivete.
Nobody cares about the Blades. Not even in Saskatoon.
Judging by attendance at the Agridome this last while, nobody in Regina cares about the Pats either.
This is a tremendous hire for the Pats. Struch was loved by the players and is a top notch coach. The situation (letting him walk) for him in Saskatoon was sealed the moment the ownership transfer went through last year. He would have been better off not taking the job with the mess he inherited after the Blades going for it in the Memorial Cup last year and the few years prior when they sold the farm for Schenn. But he did because he is loyal and truly did "Bleed Blue"! Best of luck to Dave and his family in… Read more »
I knew this was going to happen. A friend of mine told me
Bob Nixon
A friend of mine told me that Bob was going to say that……
but really a great hire by the Pats and I fully expect him to be the Head Coach of the Pats within 2 yrs as Paddock will not stick around longer then that as the pro jobs will be offered his way especially in the AHL