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Pack scores a coup with Fixter

Often a team’s success can have a lot to do with the kind of moves they make in the off season. It usually comes in the form of a player — either a signing or trade — but for the Wolves it could very well be a move made behind the bench.
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Paul Fixter, The Sudbury Wolves' new associate coach, was introduced to the media on June 17. Photo by Laurel Myers.
Often a team’s success can have a lot to do with the kind of moves they make in the off season. It usually comes in the form of a player — either a signing or trade — but for the Wolves it could very well be a move made behind the bench.

The team announced last week that they’ve hired Paul Fixter as an associate coach, finishing what is a re-vamping of Head Coach Trent Cull’s staff. Fixter heads north after spending the last five years with the Kitchener Rangers where he worked under Steve Spott.

Not only has he had experience with one of the most successful organizations in the Ontario Hockey League, but Fixter’s resume also shows experience at all levels.

At the pro level, he was head coach and director of hockey operations for the Rio Grande Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League.

In the American Hockey League, he spend two years as Mike Foligno’s assistant coach with the Hersey Bears before taking over as head coach when Foligno returned home to take over the Wolves in 2003.

If that wasn’t impressive enough, Fixter has two Stanley Cup rings from his time with the Colorado Avalanche. His responsibilities included video scouting and pre-game video work along with on-ice practices under two separate coaches, Marc Crawford and Bob Hartley.

Is it any wonder everyone says Fixter’s work ethic is top notch and his hockey knowledge is second to none?

At a press conference Monday when Fixter was introduced to local media, he described himself as a players coach and a communicator. He said all coaches know the systems, but it takes a good coach to know what makes a player tick, when a player needs a kick in the butt or when a player needs a pat on the back.

What has impressed me is the response to the hiring of Fixter. I’ve heard from some of my fellow broadcasters from around the league, especially in the Western conference, who say this is a coup for the Wolves. They say Fixter is probably the best coach in the league who is currently not a head coach.

The response from players has also been overwhelming positive. Fixter already has a relationship with three current Wolves (all former Rangers), goalie Franky Palazzse, defenceman Cory Genovese and forward Matt Schmalz.

Schmalz said Fixter taught him a lot, supported younger players and helped build confidence. Even former Wolves captain Frank Corrado, who finished his OHL career with the Kitchener Rangers, wished Fixter good luck and said it was nice to see his two favourite coaches working together.

You may look at the move Fixter is making as a lateral move. He was an associate coach and assistant general manger in Kitchener and will be an associate coach in Sudbury. But during an interview this week, he said sometimes a change is just as good as a promotion.

Fixter is going to get the chance to work with a talented Sudbury Wolves hockey team that many predict has the potential to be an Eastern Conference contender next season.

For the Wolves, snagging Fixter behind the bench may be a key move in making that prediction a reality.

Stew Kernan is the radio and television voice of the Sudbury Wolves, and the news director at EZ Rock and Q92. This column appears every other week in Northern Life.

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