Latest news with #RogerNeilson
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
SIMMONS: Beyond the Panthers and Oilers, who's better than the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Article content Roger Neilson coached some impressive Toronto teams in the 1970s, led by Darryl Sittler and Lanny McDonald up front, with Tiger Williams fighting everyone, with Borje Salming and Ian Turnbull on defence and Mike Palmateer in goal. The most points they had in a season was 92 in 1978. They made it to the third round of the playoffs that year, being handled rather easily by the Cup champion Montreal Canadiens. The Leafs finished sixth out of 18 teams in the league. They weren't legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. Pat Burns coached some impressive Toronto teams in the 1990s, led by Doug Gilmour, Dave Andreychuk and Wendel Clark up front, with a defence that included Dave Ellett, Sylvain Lefebvre and Jamie Macoun, and with Felix Potvin in goal. Twice in a row the Leafs advanced to the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The first time they went seven games and lost to Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings and, all these years later — 32 in fact — that loss still stings.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Roger Neilson's Hockey Returns with Groundbreaking Leadership Program for Coaches
After a 5-year hiatus, the legacy brand returns with an all-new coach development initiative led by NHL mindset pioneer Vinny Malts CALGARY, AB, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After a pause since the onset of the pandemic, Roger Neilson's Coaches Clinic—a name synonymous with coaching innovation—proudly announces its return with the launch of the Roger Neilson Coaching Leadership Program, a six-week experience designed to coach the coach. This program marks the next evolution of Neilson's legacy, shifting focus to the human side of leadership. It's the first of its kind, offering full-time hockey coaches a structured, science-backed approach to personal leadership development—led by one of the sport's most forward-thinking minds: Coach Vinny Malts. "We are beyond excited to be back and helping coaches in a truly meaningful way," said Marshall Starkman, Executive Director of Roger Neilson's Hockey. "This is something we believe the hockey world has needed for a long time. We're thrilled to have Vinny leading the charge—he's a game-changer. His experience, vision, and connection to today's players make this the start of something much bigger. We believe this can create global impact—and yes, our live events will return in 2026." Coach Vinny Malts brings unmatched credibility to the program. A pioneering mindset coach, he made history as the first of his kind hired in the NHL. With 35 years of experience as a pro player, coach, and mental performance expert, he's helped transform how leadership and culture are built in hockey. "I'm honored that Marshall would trust us to help lead this next chapter of Roger Neilson's Coaches Clinic," said Malts. "This initiative enhances Roger's legacy in a lasting way. While I can only imagine what it was like to be coached by Roger, I recognize the impact he had on so many. Through this program, we hope to create a space where conscious hockey leaders—professional and amateur—can come together to build something truly special for the future of our game. We are beyond grateful to be part of this mission." Malts' work with NHL players, coaches, and teams has helped athletes unlock next-level performance on and off the ice. Now, through the Roger Neilson Coaching Leadership Program, he's bringing that expertise to those who lead. The program is open to junior, college, pro, and elite-level youth coaches, with limited enrollment in its first cohort. This is a personal leadership journey designed to develop self-awareness, intentional communication, and sustainable growth. Coaches will engage in neuroscience-backed training, coaching circles, journaling, and more—all designed to improve team culture and connection with today's athletes. Enrollment is now open. The first cohort launches July 2025. Roger Neilson's Coaches Clinic (live event) returns in 2026. About Roger Neilson's Coaches Clinic Founded in 1988 by Hall of Famer Roger Neilson, the annual Coaches Clinic ran continuously for over 30 years, influencing thousands of coaches worldwide. Neilson's legacy—built on innovation, video analysis, and leadership integrity—lives on through this next chapter of coach development. Learn more and join the waitlist: Media inquiries:Marisa Malts395054@ 856.816.8879 Website: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Roger Neilson's Hockey
National Post
11-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Obituary: Former Canucks goalie Frank Caprice backed up both Richard Brodeur and Kirk McLean
Frank Caprice's best game in the NHL might well have been his first full one. Article content Article content A 21-year-old Caprice made 26 saves and was named the first star that night, helping the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 10, 1983, at the Pacific Coliseum. Article content Those Canucks had Richard Brodeur and John Garrett in net, but Caprice had been called up from the AHL's Fredericton Express just before the meeting on home ice with the Oilers because coach Roger Neilson felt the team needed a spark. The Canucks had a single win in their previous seven games (1-4-2), and sat 11-15-3 overall going into the game. The Oilers, who were on their way to their first Stanley Cup title, came into the night 21-5-3. Article content The lone NHL experience on Caprice's resume to that point was third period mop-up duty in an 8-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings the previous February. Article content Caprice would get into another 18 games with the Canucks that season and wound up with 102 appearances for Vancouver during his six-year run with the team. He's 12th all-time in games played by goalies in franchise history. Article content Caprice died last week. He was 63. Article content 'He was a beloved teammate, a valued member of our organization and he will be greatly missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Frank's friends and family,' a Canucks team statement read. Article content Article content In his stint with Vancouver, Caprice was a backup to Brodeur (377) and then Kirk McLean (516), who are third and first, respectively, among Canucks goalies in games played. Article content The Vancouver Sun's Gary Mason covered the Western Professional Hockey League for several days in the 1998-99 season, offering up a look at life in the minors. He talked to Caprice, who was 36 then and was a goalie and assistant coach with the Corpus Christi IceRays. Article content Mason described Caprice this way in a Jan. 4, 1999 story: 'The NHL was everything to Frank Caprice. He remembers skating around the ice before games, and seeing himself in the reflection of the glass. And you know what he liked to do, boss? He'd turned his shoulder so he could see his name on the back of the jersey in the glass. Isn't that wonderful? He was playing in the NHL. He wanted to make sure he wasn't dreaming.' Article content In a Dec. 3, 1991 Vancouver Sun story, Caprice told Mike Beamish that then-Canucks coach Tom Watt had stated the summer before the 1987-88 campaign that Caprice would play 30-35 games that coming season, and that he 'felt 10 feet tall,' when Watt said that to him. Article content Article content Sure enough, the Canucks ousted Watt as bench boss that off-season and made a trade with the New Jersey Devils to land a 21-year-old McLean. Article content Article content Former Canucks captain Stan Smyl told Beamish: 'Frank had all the tools to be a No. 1 goalie but he was never given the opportunity. He was never allowed to develop his confidence. Sometimes he was just thrown into games.' Article content The Canucks traded Caprice to the Boston Bruins in June 1989 for a 12th-round pick in the 1989 Draft. He spent that season in the minors and then retired from playing. He went on to become a ticket manager for the Canucks, and told Beamish in that 1991 story, 'I wish every player could take a year off to work at a normal job and realize how lucky they are to be playing in the NHL.'
