Barry Trotz is no longer the head coach of the Nashville Predators. That’s just weird. It’s going to take me awhile to get my head around that one. Discussing the why’s and wherefore’s are useless now, the die is cast, the decision made. For strictly selfish reasons, I hope Barry Trotz stays with the Predators organization… but more, I want Coach Trotz to go do what he wants.
I will never forget my first encounter with the coach. My wife and I were season ticket holders and big fans… just really glad to have a hockey team in Nashville. Our middle son was playing his first year of hockey at Centennial… it was such a typical Nashville experience. On the team was Reba McIntyre’s son and the son of the Preds head coach. We got to know the family a little bit… and a better family you will never meet in your lifetime. Great kids, even better parents.
A memory just etched into my mind was at a team party at a pizza joint during that season… just sitting with the parents, and thinking “Holy Crap… I’m talking to an NHL head coach!” But Barry never played the role, he was a dad, hanging out with the other parents, enjoying some pizza and telling stories. That will always be the first thing I think of when I think of the coach.
When I joined the team as PA Announcer, he welcomed me and made me feel comfortable as a part of the organization. He always would say hello, ask about the kids or my wife. That’s just the type of man he is. That attitude permeates the entire organization.
The attitude of professionalism, the attitude of service, of giving back. That is the legacy of Barry Trotz's term in Nashville and this city should be forever grateful for it. I can do nothing but wish Barry Trotz well in whatever he decides to do… if he decides to go back behind the bench, I just hope it is in the Eastern Conference…
I know we will be talking a lot more about this on Wednesday's SlapShot Radio.
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