Living in Pensacola, Fla. after spending many winters in North Battleford has been a big change for Kevin Hasselberg.
However, you won’t hear the former Battlefords North Stars head coach and general manager bragging about it.
“My wife and my two kids are stuck up there in the cold with everyone else, so that really puts everything in perspective,” Hasselberg said. “They are actually coming down here for a couple of weeks, so I’ll have everything I need during the holidays.”
After five seasons with the North Stars, Hasselberg has entered the world of professional hockey this year as he’s the head coach for the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Pensacola Ice Flyers.
“The work load that you have in junior is multiplied even more at this level,” Hasselberg said.
“You’re wearing a lot more has and there’s much more responsibility, especially when it comes to things like managing a salary cap and contracts. I’ve really enjoyed that challenge, though, and it’s been a very positive experience in that regard.”
This year has been a transitional one for the Ice Flyers, who have three of the last four SPHL President’s Cup titles.
Following a 4-3 loss to the Columbus Cottonmouths last Friday, the Ice Flyers are currently in eighth place in the 10-team league with a 5-8-5 record.
“Finding our identity has been the biggest thing during the first 18 games of the season,” Hasselberg said. “Obviously, we would have liked to have a much better record at this point of the year, but I like the way our team is competing and we have the right players in the room.
“They all want to be better pros and that will be a huge factor to our success going forward. This team has won in the past and we can lean on that success as we form the identity of this team, especially with many college players working their way into the professional ranks like we have on our roster this year.”
The way that the roster is structured in the SPHL is something that’s been completely different for Hasselberg when compared to his time in Junior A.
“There’s something new on the table every week,” Hasselberg said.
“You have players getting sent down from the ECHL or being put on waivers that can help your team. It’s a lot different from being in the SJHL where you're working with players and their families starting at the age of 15 and more or less building a roster from scratch.”
Although Pensacola isn’t a traditional hockey market, Hasselberg says that the Ice Flyers fan base is a very passionate one.
“I’m sure people might be surprised to hear this, but the support this team gets is right up there with the top teams in pro hockey,” Hasselberg said.
“I was even caught off guard when I first experienced it. There’s a strong following here for the entire league and so many of the fans are here for the entertainment value of what goes on during the whole game day, not just what happens with the battle on the ice.”
Although he’s busy in his current job, Hasselberg has been keeping a close eye on the success of the North Stars so far this season.
“I’m really excited to see how well the guys are doing,” Hasselberg said. “The group of guys there are doing exactly what I thought they would this year, and I’m really enjoying seeing how well they’ve been playing.”
