The Cleveland Monsters open the 2024-25 AHL season on the similar place their 2023-24 season ended. The feelings from that also linger round those who have been a part of that incredible Jap Convention Closing.
The Monsters will play the Calder-Cup Champion Hershey Bears. The Bears will raise one other banner to the rafters at Large Heart earlier than the sport with Cleveland available to witness it. Motivation to defeat the Bears shouldn’t be exhausting to seek out.
After an intense coaching camp in Columbus, the Monsters and their employees are able to embark on the brand new season which is stuffed with pleasure throughout their lineup. It’s additionally stuffed with questions too. It ought to make for an fascinating season up I-71 on the shores of Lake Erie.
Head coach Trent Vogelhuber sat down with the Hockey Writers for an unique season-opening Q&A. We touched on a number of matters from who stood out at Blue Jackets’ camp to how they develop plans for particular person gamers and rather more. We wrap up our dialog by discussing why the 2024-25 season has the potential to be very thrilling.
Right here is our 20-minute dialog.
Trent Vogelhuber Q&A
THW: Trent, now that you simply’ve received the illusion of a crew in Cleveland, simply how was your coaching camp completely different in comparison with the stuff that was occurring in Blue Jackets camp?
Vogelhuber: “Undoubtedly extra palms on my half. I make a degree to be somewhat bit extra standoffish, only a useful resource for guys on the Columbus camp. No person needs to get too cozy with the American League coach after they’re on the NHL camp, which I fully perceive and conscious of. When guys get right here, I’m in a position to take the reins and be somewhat bit extra palms on. And this week’s actually been somewhat bit tougher in that sense simply with the blokes coming out and in, and we haven’t been in a position to do a ton of crew stuff. We’ve had 5 guys on the ice some days, seven on the following, 11 again to 5. It’s been somewhat bit out and in however general, undoubtedly extra hands-on concerned.”
THW: From my viewpoint, a man like Luca Del Bel Belluz, a man like James Malatesta, actually others, stood out the place it was plainly apparent that that they had made strides of their improvement. Simply out of your viewpoint Trent, who actually stood out to you simply from the time that you simply guys departed from Hershey (final season) till you bought again up right here?
Vogelhuber: “I feel the primary title you talked about which was Luca Del Bel Belluz. He’s come a great distance from a child that to be sincere organizationally, we weren’t positive if he was going to do his 12 months again in junior or not. I actually appreciated among the issues I noticed from him final 12 months in camp, so I used to be pushing to have him on our roster. He didn’t disappoint. And I feel simply from the place he began a 12 months in the past til now, we made it clear to him all through final season and this summer season the issues he wanted to enhance on. Power and explosiveness being on the high of that checklist. He’s taken the whole lot we’ve mentioned significantly and been all on board with our plan for him so far as the energy coaching and took it to coronary heart this summer season. We’re nonetheless going to work on foot pace. He’s not the quickest man on the ice within the NHL. That’s okay. However I’ve seen him maintain off folks and shield pucks. (His) confidence as properly with that energy and preparation has shot via the roof. I feel he’s finished an ideal job.
Malatesta is one other man who’s come a great distance. His is completely different. I feel he’s received the energy and explosiveness down. It’s simply the attention of the fixed element that it’s important to have in your sport on the professional degree, actually within the NHL, which I’ve seen him make enhancements on. None of them are completed merchandise, however on the best trajectory for positive. One other child on the ahead facet, Hunter McCown, who was a free agent signing undrafted, however I assumed only one space that I like to see from him is his constant competitiveness was not on the degree it wanted to be when he turned professional. And it was in all probability till All-Star break the place it appeared prefer it clicked to him so far as the extent that he has to battle at. It popped off the ice for me in coaching camp and among the video games. Simply the exhausting nose-ish energy ahead mindset that he’s introduced has been an enormous enchancment, and I’d like to see that from these three guys.
On the defensive facet, I don’t know if there’s any person that’s popped off for me in that sense, however I simply suppose guys have steadily come alongside. I’ve beloved Cole Clayton. He was enormous for us final 12 months. He doesn’t look misplaced in these NHL video games. He’s labored himself into being an NHL prospect the place he was on an American League deal, which is what it’s all about for us. It’s come a great distance. After which we’ve received youthful guys like Stanislav Svozil and (Corson) Ceulemans who’ve undoubtedly improved over the summer season with energy and health, which is one other huge a part of their program that we’re engaged on with them however I feel nonetheless have a methods to go, We’re going to proceed to work however they’re heading in the right direction.”
THW: You introduced up Luca earlier, and he’s an ideal instance about the way you guys develop a plan for a selected participant. He was going to have a health club routine. He was solely going to play sure video games, after which it ended up being extra. What all really goes into creating a plan? Who else is concerned with that planning course of in the case of a person participant?
Vogelhuber: “We take the suggestions from the NHL GMs and coaches for positive of what they’re seeing and we’re part of that. So these guys lay the inspiration on the finish of the coaching camp assembly on issues they suppose they should work on. After which myself, our teaching employees, together with Chris Clark, our GM, and our energy coach Ben Eaves is in on these conferences that we’ve got with particular person gamers after we begin. We determine the areas that they should enhance. So (Luca) was a fairly simple one with the energy. And that’s one thing we may actually management how we hit these areas within the health club. And Eaves is rather more concerned in one thing like that.
After which I’ll go to James Malatesta the place it’s among the constant profitable particulars away from the puck. With that, we be sure that we hit video somewhat bit extra and schedule that just about weekly as a minimum to ensure we’re touching a few of these factors, staying on it and driving them house. To reply your query, it’s all people collectively. I spearhead these sorts of schedules together with the assistance of many different individuals who then take it and run with it. However it’s collective for positive. There’s different those who we’ve got that want to only enhance their execution and puck touches. So we be sure that a number of instances per week that they’re on the market earlier than follow with Ben Eaves our expertise coach, certainly one of our assistant coaches simply doing touches and small-area ability stuff. We attempt to tailor it as a lot as we will to every particular person participant and be sure that it’s not simply one thing we’re doing for the primary two weeks of the season, that we will proceed that in the course of the canine days, after we get December, January and February as properly.”
THW: I do know one of many huge challenges you might have as a coach, and Columbus has so much to do with that, is the lineup and the way you formulate that. There’s clearly sure parameters that it’s important to think about, league guidelines, veteran minimums. However when there are particular guys that you simply need to play however there simply may not be a lot room, they’re a wholesome scratch. I ponder how do you get essentially the most out of fellows that may not be enjoying on a regular basis, however you retain them contemporary and preserve them prepared? What’s the problem in all these lineup issues it’s important to do?
Vogelhuber: “I feel honesty is firstly. I don’t have a ton to cover so far as why the selections are being made. I feel for the veteran gamers possibly that final 12 months would miss video games. They’ve been round lengthy sufficient. They’ve been within the NHL, the American League they usually perceive the place they’re at of their profession and what the aim of this league is. They’re for the NHL crew. The first goal is to be sure that we’ve got gamers able to play within the NHL. I may be as sincere as attainable with these guys, give them suggestions as to it’s not essentially a scratch or a play, however we’ve got to ensure we’re filtering guys within the lineup, primarily younger gamers. Maintain sincere with that. That’s been acquired properly.
And on the opposite facet of issues with younger gamers, we undergo a development with them of it’s not only a scratch out of nowhere. It’s giving them each alternative to play themselves out of it, and whether or not it’s somewhat bit much less ice time in a video assembly as to why that occurred and possibly somewhat little bit of demotion on a pair or line. If it’s not getting higher, the ice time continues to go down. You hit one other video assembly. You speak after which we talk with our normal supervisor in Columbus and get an okay that it is perhaps time for them to observe a sport. And you then simply undergo these progressions. It’s not a straight, slender path for everyone. We work via these and talk, however I feel the firstly factor is honesty.
I’ll inform these younger gamers; you don’t need to be within the lineup tonight as a result of we’ve finished this and we haven’t seen it enhance. I feel it’s an ideal alternative to make use of a setback. It’s regular to undergo these items, however to reset, watch from above, and we will come again and proceed to enhance. However I feel honesty with gamers, communication throughout the group from high to backside on what we’re doing and why, after which it doesn’t must be an even bigger deal than it’s. That’s simply what’s finest for the person and the crew.”
THW: Trent, how do you are feeling like that your relationship with Chris Clark has advanced because you began working with him?
Vogelhuber: “I’ve received an extended historical past with him for being a participant when he was on the event employees. I feel we’re in a position to be sincere with one another. (I’m) actually extra snug in the best way that we talk and understanding what we each want and need. I feel it’s progressed properly. I’m very snug having these discussions with him, and I feel he would say the identical factor. I’ve identified him for a very long time. The belief is there. (We’re) in a position to have these sincere discussions when wanted. I feel it’s in a wholesome place.”
*ahem* 🗣️ TIME FOR SOME HOCKEY!
Do not forget you’ll be able to catch tonight’s sport or FREE on @FloHockey‘s Fb, X, & YouTube accounts
⏰: 7:00 p.m.
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📺: AHLTV on @FloHockey pic.twitter.com/dfJw7NnRZj— Cleveland Monsters (@monstershockey) October 12, 2024
THW: The place do you are feeling like that you’ve got grown essentially the most as a coach?
Vogelhuber: “I feel in all places. That’s a loaded query. You simply are available in naive. There’s a lot extra to it than simply systematically and realizing the small print of the sport, which I felt assured in coming from a participant to a coach. I simply suppose persona administration is a large space that that I’ve discovered simply by watching coaches and simply being via it and the right way to speak to gamers. Early on, it’s not snug to have sincere conversations when it’s not what any person needs to listen to. I feel you notice that it’s higher to have any person be offended with you however have that respect for 48 hours than disliked perpetually since you beat across the bush. That’s one thing that I’ve discovered. It’s a lot simpler to only hit any person between the eyes with what is going on. In the long term, they’ll respect you even when they disagree with you quite than making an attempt to bounce round emotions.
That’s an space that I’ve actually grown in addition to simply managing employees members and managing the group as a complete. There’s a number of non-hockey issues that pop up in that regard. That’s actually what it’s. It’s no completely different than what you do or what a number of different folks do of their line of labor. It’s managing folks and understanding the right way to speak to completely different people and the buttons to push with sure folks and with others. That’s simply an emotional intelligence factor that I feel isn’t only for hockey coaches. That’s for everyone. And that’s an space I feel I’ve grown essentially the most as a result of systematically and element sensible, I felt snug with these. Have I improved and gotten extra detailed and discovered what I purchased out of our crew? Undoubtedly. However I feel the largest development has been within the different issues that I discussed.”
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THW: Mike Haviland is up in Columbus now. You’ve a brand new coach in your employees. What’s the influence of getting a brand new coach in your employees this season?
Vogelhuber: “Fortuitously, I’ve identified Chris Bergeron since my days at Miami (Ohio). I’ve stayed shut with him for a very long time ever since he recruited and coached me in school. That was one of many most important causes I needed him right here as a result of he made a long-lasting impression on me and a number of my teammates simply within the relationship constructing facet of issues. I do know what his strengths are and that’s it. And to be sincere, they’re similar to what Mike Haviland’s strengths have been. It’s connecting with folks, incomes belief and with the ability to have these open traces of communication with respect. It’s not simply creating hockey gamers. It’s constructing relationships with those who final far longer than only a season or a pair seasons. That was Havi’s energy. That’s Bergeron’s energy. I feel with our younger gamers, that’s a very powerful factor.
Going again to your earlier query, it’s not essentially simply the small print of the sport which might be a very powerful. It’s incomes belief with these gamers so you’ll be able to have sincere conversations so that they know you care about them. You may’t faux to attempt to act such as you care about them. It’s important to really care about them. Then it’s natural and pure and that’s what Bergeron does so properly. He cares about his gamers. I’m a testomony to that. I’m in contact with him and near him 12 years after I graduated, and that’s why I needed him right here.”
THW: Trent, how a lot do the Blue Jackets ask on your enter? After which how a lot do you are feeling like that they worth your enter in the case of two or three guys maybe deserve a chance, however they will solely select one?
Vogelhuber: “I haven’t gone via that but with Dean (Evason) or Don (Waddell). However in our discussions in Columbus, it was it looks like they are going to worth my and our teaching employees’s enter very a lot. They need to be sure that they’re getting the participant that deserves it essentially the most for the Blue Jackets. However they each perceive that we’re making an attempt to construct a crew right here as properly and what it might probably do if you happen to simply pull who you suppose it needs to be quite than who deserves it and what that may do to a locker room right here as properly and the tradition that we’re making an attempt to construct. I feel they’re going to be very prepared to listen to what we’ve got to say, take our opinions, after which in the end, that’s their resolution. However they from what I perceive and what it appears like, they’re going to be actually sincere with me and take our recommendation weighted fairly closely, which is nice.”
THW: Trent, there’s a palpable pleasure round this crew. Denton Mateychuk is with you. It’s unlucky with Gavin Brindley’s damaged finger. As soon as that rehab is completed, he might find yourself becoming a member of you. Simply how thrilling is that this Monsters’ season going to be for you? How a lot potential is there?
Vogelhuber: “That’s once more, a loaded query. I’m very excited as a result of I feel proper now, we’ve received guys somewhat bit dinged up already, which clearly isn’t the best way you need to begin as a bunch or these people. Particularly younger guys like Gavin who need to get began on the best foot and are available out flying. That’s all the time disappointing for them. However I mentioned this summer season. I feel simply trying on the roster, it’s arguably essentially the most expert roster I feel I’ve been part of right here so far as prospects go. It’s additionally undoubtedly the youngest. Someway, we discovered a means from final 12 months to this 12 months to get youthful. I’m clearly excited to work with these children.
I additionally perceive what first-year gamers undergo and what second 12 months gamers undergo. There’s going to be a studying curve. Now we have second-year gamers who now are usually not rookies anymore, they usually’re going to be anticipated to not simply fall in step with the leaders and guys who’ve been round, however to drive the bus. That’s a giant step to take. That’s what we’re going to be pushing from them. We’d like these guys versus second 12 months gamers for us to have success right here to drive the bus and be influence gamers and take possession of the crew that they’re on. And whereas that’s thrilling to work with these guys, it’s going to be a number of work for them and for us to get us to the spot the place I assumed we completed final 12 months, the place all people was on the identical web page, pulling the rope, similar route, understanding their roles. All these issues change. Gamers step into increased or larger roles. I don’t suppose it’s going to be with out adjustment and studying curves, however on the similar time, the potential may be very excessive with ability units.”