Un-Official Guide: Claude Noel-isms

The definitive guide to #Noelspeak

If there is one thing that distinguishes Claude Noel from his coaching counterparts it’s his speaking, phrases and personal slang. While others in the NHL are looked at as great quotes and personalities, think Tortorella, Burke, Sutter, Carlyle, Boudreau and more, the Winnipeg Jets coach is hardly noted outside Winnipeg for his ‘personality’.

I’ve mentioned it before but it’s worth repeating: Claude Noel has a unique communication style with a very understated sense of humour. His delivery is often dry and those in attendance can often wonder about his ‘intended message’.

Imagine if you were a player? Try and picture yourself understanding what he means with some of the rather cyptic expressions often used. It wouldn’t be easy so it’s probably time to document some of the more important things to help every Jets fan or spectator understand just what exactly he’s trying to say.

Back on track: This would usually mean a win but it could be parts of a game, or a particular player’s game or even special teams. Example: “we need to get the PP back on track…

Bitten: This word comes out when Noel tries to deflect criticism from the results, either a player’s or the team’s. Example: “The player did their jobs but were bitten with the results…

Bread and Butter: First used describing how to play a team like the Sharks and referencing the importance of defense. Could also be a reference to stuffing ingredients in a turkey as the Jets have shown more than a few of those this season. Example: “When you play an offense like that you have to rely on your bread and butter; defense…

Core Values: Can refer to a style of game play, or the general make up of the team. Has been used to describe players as well most recently captain, Andrew Ladd. Example: “He’s a leader on our team, he has good core values…

Delivering Pizzas: This is an old one but a fan favourite. Refers to former Jets defenseman Johnny Oudya and his penchant for giving up the puck with ease. While Oduya went on to win a cup with the Blackhawks he still remains the most famous pizza deliveryman in Winnipeg history. Example: “He gave up the puck a lot, he was delivering pizzas out there…

Engagement: Not used to reference the marital status of Evander Kane. Mainly used to establish what or how his team and/or players did something, matrimony on ice? Example: “You have to play with engagement…

Execution: It would seem a logical term he would use since so many Jets fans have called for his head this season. However Noel uses this to emphasize what is or isn’t being done. Example “Our power play sucks, it has no execution…

Enjoy the win: Who doesn’t enjoy winning? Some times Claude likes to let his hair down and relax and enjoy the win. Usually happens after a bit of a rough stretch (see ‘rough seas’) where the team didn’t give him much to be grumpy about. Example: “It was a good game, we’re going to relax a bit and enjoy the win…

Good: It may be the most overused and confusing term Noel has in his arsenal. Sometime refers to the game, the players or the opposition. Often it us used in reference to praise a player or position no one else noticed. The result is often head scratching if not outrage from fans. Example: “I thought Wright played a good game, he was good out there… or “We have consistently good goaltending…

Heavy game: This has been a relative new term since the Jets joined the bigger, badder Western Conference. It does not mean Noel wants the team to get weighed down, although that happens and mostly in their own end. What it means is to be more physical and use the body. Example: “They’re a big team, we have to play a heavy game against them…

Joy: The lifting of the fog for Noel. It’s used when there is revelation in the coach if not down right relief that he survived another day and didn’t have to answer the same questions. Example: “We feel some joy tonight, we’re going to enjoy it…

Joyville: This is the place where Noel goes to experience joy. It’s confusing because when it’s used, which is rarely, it often accompanies ‘joy’. Example: “There’s joy in joyville tonight…

Manage the game: This was a big buzzword last season when the Jets still had a chance at the post season. Noel used this term to talk about the ups and down in a game, how the team played. I thought it was more of a coach’s job? Example: “We managed the game well tonight…

Play Heavy: Similar to ‘heavy game’ this is the action tense of having a heavy game. Not to be confused with stuffing yourself before hitting the ice (Although I did see Enstrom leaving the MTS Centre last year with 4 pies??) It means to play with strength and authority. Example: “This is a big team and we have to play heavy against them…

Process of Playing: This is a confusing term because the game itself is a process, puck drops, game beings, horn blows and the game ends. What Noel means is that some times his team is utterly unaware of what they are to do during a game, they forget the process of playing. Example: “There’s a process of playing this game, and you have to understand that…

Prom night: It was used once but is probably waiting in the wing (see ‘vest’). Refers to properly attiring one’s self in a fancier fashion than the norm. Cannot be said by all only trusted leaders with good ‘core values’. Example: “I had to wear the vest first and he (Ladd) saw me and said ‘what is this, prom night?’…

Puck management: Not to be confused with ‘manage the game’ this term is very important. Refers to the specific concept of puck possession and control. Although never uttered in the same breath as ‘corsi’ or ‘fenwick’. Could mean work along the boards or zone entries/exits. Example: “The power play was rough tonight, we didn’t use good puck management…

Rough seas: Pretty obvious but why use ‘seas’ when living on the prairies? Rough patch, rough waters or we played like dogs- ruff. Used to describe difficult stretches of a game or more like recently 10 games of the schedule. Example: “We hit some rough seas out there tonight…

Sneaky: This is the old badger being coy. Trying to say something without tipping his hand as if he knows something you don’t. Example: “He’s got a sneaky wrist shot, I won’t tell you how…but it’s sneaky…

Vest: See ‘prom night’ for more clarity. Was a new addition to his wardrobe that was purchased in NYC during road trip last season instead of using valuable time in shortened season to review important things like the Power Play. It was first worn in Winnipeg and asked about by envious reporters, some with dubious fashion sense. Example: “The vest? Oh yeah….…

Wind got out of the Sails: While easily associated with ‘rough seas’ there are vastly different meanings. While not calling out Pavelec is customary for Noel he does dryly make reference to the untimely goals with this term. Example: “Well that first goal we took clearly took the wind out of our sails…

If you have any other terms not seen here please put them in the comments session and I will be happy to update the list and provide a definitive explanation of what the term means.