Coaches Brian Kilrea and Chris Byrne in discussion at practice.
The Ottawa 67’s office walls are lined with team photos taken over the years, with Brian ‘Killer’ Kilrea sitting front and centre in the majority of them. But this will be Kilrea’s last year in his usual spot, as he makes way for a new head coach in the 2009-2010 season.
Assistant coach Chris Byrne will be stepping in next year to fill Kilrea’s shoes, which he’s been wearing for over 30 years.
“I don’t look at is as trying to match, duplicate or be anywhere near what Killer has done,” Byrne says.
“I’m looking to do a good job my first year, get through our first training camp, and look at the short term as opposed to trying to match someone who’s the only guy in the Hockey Hall of Fame as a junior coach.”
Byrne spent seven years as coach of the Nepean Raiders in the Central Junior Hockey League, where he received accolades like ‘Coach of the Year’ for the team’s 2003 and 2004 championship seasons.
The 34-year-old father of three says he’s fortunate for the opportunity.
“I didn’t know it would happen, but I’m very happy it happened in Ottawa. Obviously one of my goals was to move up, and to do it in Ottawa is a lucky break,” he says.
Kilrea will stay with the team next season as the general manager. He cites his age as one main reason he’s stepping aside as head coach.
At 73, he still skates well and is fully able to be on the ice with the team, but says a younger guy is needed. For Byrne, it’s a breeze to speed around the ice, rough-housing and joking with the young team. Kilrea says he recognizes that Byrne’s youth will be beneficial for them.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that Chris is going to be a good coach. The players like him and respect him and he’s more tuned in to their ways now that he’s only a young guy, and I’m an old guy,” says Kilrea.
Born in Ottawa, former 67’s forward Matthieu Methot played under both Kilrea and Byrne last year. He says next year’s season will be a step in the right direction for the team.
“Killer has been taking Byrne under his wing for a long time now…kind of showing him the ropes and stuff. I think he’s going to do wonders in that league,” says Methot.
Practices are bound to change, though, Methot says.
“Killer has been using the same drills for 30 years. Byrne’s are more modern. Killer focuses on the entire lines, but Byrne focuses on individual skills,” says Methot.
Byrne says his coaching style differs from Kilrea because he used to play defence, while Kilrea was an offensive player.
Both coaches say they see potential in this year’s team, and look forward to building a strong contending team in the upcoming years.
“Eventually I think Chris will take over…not only as head coach, but as the general manager,” Kilrea says. “I’ll just be watching the games and maybe get to travel a little.”
For now, Byrne says he will focus on being an assistant coach, and wait until next summer to allow his new role to fully sink in.