DS: First of all, congratulations on winning coach of the year. Taking the SJHL regular season crown is no easy task. In your four years with the team, the North Stars have had two, 40 win seasons while winning the division multiple times. The record you have amassed in your tenure here is an incredible 146-64-16. First, how did you find yourself in North Battleford? What do you attribute to your teams’ overall success? Is it the hard work you put in away from the rink?
KH: Networking really helped me find my way to North Battleford. A good friend of mine contacted me to let me know the North Stars position came available. A few phone calls later, I was in North Battleford interviewing for the position. Things happened very quickly. Our teams are successful because the players are committed to working hard, they are well prepared, and they have an amazing support cast from their families, board of directors, the sponsors and fans. This is truly an amazing place to play junior hockey.
DS: Layne Young has received the rookie of the year award for his outstanding season thus far. We can talk about his numbers all day long but, in the end, it is his unselfish, team first play that got him to where he is. Given what he has been able to do, has he become a influence to the rest of the team?
KH: Layne, simply put, is a good person. He is humble and respected because he understands the golden rule. Layne comes to the rink because he loves the game and he loves his teammates. We are very fortunate in the Battlefords to have watched him develop straight from the bantam ranks and up.
DS: Kris Joyce (MVP) and Jack Burgart (goalie of the year) took home their respective awards this year, certainly a couple of teams you may run into in the playoffs. What about these goalies' makes them so difficult to play against?
KH: Travis Harrington would be someone better to ask this from a technical perspective. From my perspective I will simply say this....they stop the puck!
DS: La Ronge was able to sweep the Yorkton Terriers in their best of five series, outscoring them 21-4 over that span. Did you expect the Ice Wolves to come out and dominate a Terriers team with so much young talent? Can you see a possible first-round upset between them and Melfort?
KH: Everyone know's LaRonge is a tough team that has a rink which is very difficult to play in. I'm not sure I expected the scores to be as lopsided as they were. However, LaRonge's team is built for the playoffs so it shouldn't come as a huge surprise. The Melfort - LaRonge series should be a good one!
DS: It will be Kindersley who you will meet in game one at the Civic Centre. The series between them and Notre Dame had gone back and forth with each tilt. Were you hoping they could take the series the distance, knowing they may come into the Battlefords a little beat up? The North Stars has enjoyed success against Kindersley (8-0) is this the matchup you prefer?
KH: They will be in playoff game ready form. Our preparation is to try and match that work in practices so we can hit the games in full stride come Friday at the Civic Centre. Being this early in the playoffs, I believe both teams will be feeling good. Once playoffs begin, everything starts over with zeroes across the board. We will be ready to earn success one victory at a time.
DS: I saw that the team took a trip down to Edmonton for an Oilers game, was it good to get away after a long regular season? Now that the team will have their first taste of playoffs this Friday, is this week all about tuning up for a deep run?
KH: Everything we did all season was in preparation for the journey that begins this Friday. All of the team builders, all of the wins, all of the defeats...they all have molded us into who we are today. These players are working their butts off because they are all accountable and prepared to earn anything. This has been such an enjoyable experience, I am so fortunate to be a part of this special team on this amazing journey.
