Zoltan "Toots" Kovacs was introduced as the new head coach of the Soo Thunderbirds on Friday in front of a gathering of media, players and staff.
Kovacs' hiring comes less than a week after Jim Capy ended his four-year stint as head coach with the club.
The former Soo Greyhound takes over a club that has advanced to four consecutive league championship series and an appearance at last week's Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canadian Hockey Championships in North Bay.
The terms and length of the contract has yet to be negotiated.
Kovacs enters the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season as a rookie coach with seven to eight potential returnees. With minimal coaching experience at a high level, Kovacs is ready to jump into the fire.
"I will meet the challenges that face me as a rookie head coach head on," said Kovacs in his statement to the media. "Prior to accepting this position, I consulted my friends Brian Gaulazzi, Craig Hartsburg, Carlo DiCandia and Jim Mancuso. Each of these guys has wealth of knowledge and were very helpful in me making this decision."
Director of hockey operations Al Jones felt the pressure to find a new coach quickly with spring tryouts set to begin shortly.
"When Jim Capy resigned and we needed a new coach, I wanted to act as fast as possible because we have an upcoming tryout camp on May 17th. I wanted to make sure that we had a coach in place by that time," said Jones.
"I immediately had one person in mind and when I asked that person, I got a favourable response. I wanted a coach that I could get along with and a coach and a staff that could not only work together but have the same philosophy on hockey such as style of play, the makeup of the team and discipline."
In the Kovacs, the Thunderbirds get a coach who will take a different approach to the game. Kovacs brings five principles that he demands his players follow including work ethic, discipline on and off the ice, a team first attitude, conditioning and passion.
"Today's game in my view is too regimented and too robotic with too many systems. Players are pigeonholed into positions. What ever happened to players using their creativity and gut instincts. I want my players to play this way and gamble on the ice and take chances. If they get beat and it causes a scoring opportunity, big deal. Hopefully they learn from it," said Kovacs.
"I really got my enthusiasm to coach from Muzz MacPherson and when I talk about one of the team principles being passion, that's where I get it from. I had the chance to play for Abbie Carricato, who has one of smartest hockey minds around, and Paul Theriault, who was one of the best teachers I have ever played for."
Kovacs coaching resume includes coaching at the atom and pee wee rep level with the Soo Minor Hockey Association and at the high school level with White Pines.
"Everyone has to start somewhere. I have no problem with doubters, I have no problem with people questioning my abilities and I plan to meet it head on and I'll go at it full force. I am prepared to do that," said Kovacs.
The Thunderbirds will look to incorporate more local flavour into the lineup this season although import players will also be needed to keep the team competitive in the NOJHL and provincially.
"There is no number (of imports) that is set but there will probably be less as the years move on," said Jones. "We do have a very strong midget program and it is not hard to pick from there. A lot will depend on the quality of local kids, it will change year-to-year but I don't see it as being as many as in the past."
The club also officially introduced some new members to the staff on Friday.
Former Soo Greyhound goaltender Kevin Hodson has joined the club as the goaltender coach while another former Greyhound great, Brian Gualazzi, was named the assistant director of hockey operations and the education consultant.
Hodson, who served as a goaltender coach with the Soo Greyhounds under Hartsburg, was excited to join the organization.
"I hope I can bring some enthusiasm and some excitement. I have won some championships at different levels of hockey and I am prepared to do whatever the staff wants me to do," said Hodson. "I know we are going to carry on the winning tradition of this hockey club."
Also joining the staff is Dave Watson as an assistant coach. The club expects to shortly name another assistant coach, who is rumoured to be former Greyhound defenseman Gary Roach.
"As director of hockey operations his responsibility is to pick the people that he thinks will work best with him. He is very confident that he has done this," said Thunderbirds president Pat Egan.
The Thunderbirds also took time to thank Capy for work over four successful seasons.
"Jim helped numerous young men fulfill their dreams and aspirations both on and off the ice," said Kovacs. "Jim was instrumental in feeding the Ontario Hockey League as well as Canadian and American Universities with some top notch players."
Kovacs' hiring continues what could be flurry of activity in the NOJHL this off-season in the coaching and management ranks.
Northern Michigan made a coaching change after Rick Corbiere stepped down. Gerry Lortie will begin his first season in the NOJHL as the Black Bears head coach.