GRIZZLIES NEW COACH ANSWERS SOME TOUGH QUESTIONS

July 30, 2009 Victoria Grizzlies - One on One with new head coach Victor Gervais.

Many Grizzlies fans don’t know Victor that well so this in depth interview wilth the Grizzlies new head coach will bring you a little closer. Lets start with Vic’s hockey credentials.

Hockey Stats and general info on Vic Gervais:
Born: 1969 in Prince George BC.
Played Major Junior hockey for the Seattle Thunderbirds from 1985-90. In a total of 277 games scored 161 goals, 237 assists for a total of 398 points which is an average of 1.44 points per game. Vic also racked up 530 minutes in penalties and is in the elite top 100 all time WHL scorers club. During Vic’s best year in junior, 1989-90 in 69 games Vic had 64 goals and 96 assists for a total of 160 points for an average of 2.32 points per game and also had 180 minutes in penalties. Victor also enjoyed a great professional hockey career from 1990 to 2005 in the ECHL, AHL, IHL, DEL, QSMHL, LNAH and NHL for the Washington Capitals.
Vic’s was inducted into the AHL’s Hampton Roads Admirals Hall of Fame in 2009 after Vic spent parts of seven seasons with the Hampton Roads Admirals from 1990-91 to 1997-98, scoring 151 goals and 282 assists for 433 points in 239 games. He ranks second all-time in points, third all-time in goals and first all-time in assists in Admirals history. He also ranks eighth in penalty minutes with 611 and his 1.81 points-per-game in an Admirals jersey which ranks second all-time among players who have appeared in more than five games.
Vic helped the Admirals to the Riley Cup Championship in 1992 and the Kelly Cup Championship in 1998. Vic led Hampton Roads in playoff scoring on their improbable run to the ECHL title in 1998, netting 7 goals and 11 assists in 19 games. His 118 points during the 1992-93 season remain the most ever in a single season in an Admirals jersey.
 OK onto the interview.    

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Question: Victor you are taking over the coaching duties from a respected NHL player. Does this put any added pressure on you to succeed?

Victor Gervais:  No this year will be different than last year but in a good way. I will take the things that I have learnt from Geoff and implement parts of them in our own systems with assistant coach Wade Bartley. Last year we built a strong team and that has already had an effect on this year’s team by losing Tyler Gubb and Sam Higgins to future considerations. We will rebound and with all the new players that will be in the line-up this year we will create a hard working team that will give a 110% for our fans every night. Geoff also had a lot more experience in front of the camera and in doing interviews with the press. This is an area I have been working on this summer.
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Question: We see on the website the Grizzlies only have 2 coaches this year. Was this a budget issue or something you wanted?

Victor Gervais:  Last year it felt like we had two many things going in too many directions with 3 coaches. I think two will be a better structure for the players as well as ourselves. I plan on using our valuable scouting team of Dennis Taylor and Don Robinson more this season to fill this gap. These two people have years of knowledge in junior hockey and will play a more vital role in meetings to be held after each game.
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 Question: There has been a lot of talk about Craig Didmon not being part of the Grizzlies team this year. How has this affected you?

Victor Gervais: Craig is an excellent coach and a great person who has a lot on his plate with the Spencer School Hockey Academy and his hockey schools. Craig is also a full time teacher. Craig has spent time each year to coach his son who is in Atom hockey. I wish Craig the best but I am totally focused on putting a great team on the ice each and everyday and I know coaching is what I want to do with my life so I am going to take this opportunity and make the most of it.
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Question: Last year you were the defensive coach. Is your plan to leave that up to the Grizzlies new assistant coach Wade Bartley and you move up to look after the forwards.

Victor Gervais: Definitely I am more comfortable up front and Wade is a defensive specialist. I will use my many years of playing experience up front and use that knowledge to build forward lines as well as special teams that gel together and push each other harder.
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Question: Your background also as a Fitness Trainer could be an asset to the team. Do you intend on using those skills and how?

Victor Gervais: This area is something I am really excited about. Our players will be in the best shape of their young lives. The players that don’t go to school or have a job will meet with me or an assistant everyday in the morning for a workout regime. These players have fewer responsibilities so should be the leaders of the team on and off the ice.
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Question: What do you see as your biggest obstacle this season?

Victor Gervais: I am surrounded by great people so I don’t foresee any real obstacles. Obviously rebuilding this hockey club as well as things have changed economically not just locally but globally so our budget as many others will naturally be smaller this season than last but that will not effect play. Our players will still have the best equipment, etc that we supply them. I know our loyal fan base will be back so I want to give them everything we can to keep them a Grizzlies fan.

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Question: For the diehard Grizzlies fan how will this years team compare against last?

Victor Gervais: No doubt we are going to miss some key players like Brian Nugent, Myles MacRae, Lee Baldwin, Tyler Gubb, etc. Also Tyler Matheson is planned to go to the WHL.  Not only will we miss their skill but also their leadership qualities. We will have plenty of skill this year with Dustin Mowrey, Madison Dias, Derek Bacon, etc. Alex Peck will also be returning in goal. We have also recruited some good size this year that aren’t afraid to mix it up if required. I feel this combination will be very exciting to watch for our fans.

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Question: Finally in wrapping up what excites you the most about the upcoming season?

Victor Gervais: Well I am blessed. I have the perfect job surrounded by great people. I look forward to all the new players we have signed and the ones that we are taking a look at in camp next month. All of our volunteers in hockey operations are coming back and they have also brought one or two more good people in. I have met with all of them personally earlier this summer and they will all play a bigger role with the team next year. I can’t express how happy I am to have them back with the team next year and I know and appreciate the hundreds of volunteer hours they all give up and always for the right reason of helping this team and the players succeed. They are the best in the business.
Also to coach in the city where I live and to be with my family everyday is a dream I have always had. Hopefully as my hope with all my players the BCHL is a stepping stone for even more opportunities.
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 Victor Gervais can be reached by contacting the Grizzlies office at250 385-1555