On Nov. 21 the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners announced that Steve Polybank Sr. was hired as the team’s new interim head coach. jpg, KW, apsmc
Kirkland Lake Gold Miners’ new interim head coach Steve Polyblank Sr. is excited to be the bench boss of his hometown’s Junior club.
Brad Sherratt – Kirkland Lake Northern News
In an interview with the Northern News just prior to Saturday’s contest Polyblank Sr. stated “they are a great group of kids. I really do believe in my heart they are better than their record shows.”
Prior to Saturday’s loss to Iroquois Falls, Polyblank Sr. stated he had only one “light practice” with the team so once he has them on the ice for a full practice, he will be looking at changing some of the team’s systems.”
“I am definitely going to try. We have some injuries right now, so we are a little light on the forward end of it. I said to the kids you can’t keep doing the same things; it is not working. I am going to try and work on the powerplay.” He added “I want these kids to win. They need a win for their moral.”
Polyblank Sr, was a standout at every level he played, from the Legion 87’s to the Holy Name Irish Juveniles to the Kirkland Lake Blue Devils Intermediate squad. “I told the kids I grew up here. So, it is nice to be back, and I am honoured to be here.”
In the end he said the team has “a great bunch of kids. They are respectful and polite. I just hope they are patient enough to give me some time. This is not going to happen overnight, and, in a nutshell, they just have to outwork teams. They have to get pucks to the net and out work them. It doesn’t have to be pretty. When you are in a funk, you have to outwork them.”
