The Airdrie Thunder have signed former coach Art Krusel for the remainder of the season after Darryl Einarson stepped down, Jan. 11.
Coming off a 9-2 loss against the team’s main rival, the Cochrane Generals, Thunder General Manager Frank McEvoy said Einarson chose to resign.
“He lost touch with the players, or the players lost touch with him,” said McEvoy. “I had been monitoring it very close. We were losing to some weaker teams, and the players were playing uninspired.”
Einarson refused comment when contacted Jan. 12.
While the team’s seven wins and seven losses in the past 14 games is not a record that McEvoy is happy about, he is optimistic about bringing Krusel back to the bench.
“I called him to see if he was interested,” said McEvoy. “He coaches junior hockey very well. We have a very good hockey team and we need to move forward.”
Krusel said after a year and a half away from the team, he is recharged and looking forward to the challenge.
Krusel first started with the Airdrie Thunder during the 04/05 season, and stayed until the 08-09 season when Mike Carlson took the reigns.
“(Frank) had mentioned his coach had stepped down and asked if I would be interested in running the team until the end of the year…I accepted,” said Krusel.
Krusel has coached a number of the players still playing for the team.
“It’s a nice scenario because I’m not stepping in not knowing anyone,” said Krusel. “Some of the veteran guys that I have coached, I know what they can do.”
Having practiced with the club Jan. 11, Krusel says he doesn’t expect it to be too tough for the team to get into a rhythm.
“I think we will be able to pick up their game,” said Krusel. “In years past, a 14-game stretch would have nine, 10 or 11 wins in it. We need to get to a point where everyone on the team knows what they need to be doing all the time.”
Krusel and the Airdrie Thunder will be taking on the Ponoka Ford Wranglers Jan. 14 at the Ron Ebbesen Arena. Puck drops at 8 p.m.
