Pats facing some tough decisions
By Greg Harder, Leader-PostMay 4, 2009
REGINA -- Regina Pats GM Brent Parker took Monday off to look after some neglected yardwork.
Next on his to-do list is a different kind of spring cleaning.
Parker has been deliberating for several weeks on which direction to steer the WHL club after the most disappointing season of his 14-year tenure. Parker is expected to return next season, but there are other changes on the horizon.
Parker wouldn't say what those changes might be — or how much longer his coaches will remain in limbo — but he did suggest there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
"I'll be talking to (owner) Russ (Parker) at some point in time to chat about some things and go forward from there," said the veteran GM, who previously stated he wouldn't complete his evaluation until sometime after the bantam draft, which took place Thursday. "Once we've made our decision as to what we're going to do, then we'll make an announcement."
Rookie head coach Dale Derkatch still has two years left on his contract, but the Pats may opt for a clean slate with a more experienced bench boss, especially given the mandate of ownership to ice a contending team next season.
Derkatch's situation is a sensitive one given his status as a Pats' luminary — he's the team's all-time leading scorer — plus the fact that he's so well-liked among the team's staff, management and ownership. If Derkatch is replaced after just one season at the helm, it won't be for anything less than someone with a proven track record.
High-profile free agent Marc Habscheid was a candidate for the job last season, but he's unlikely to be considered again. One name that might pique Regina's interest would be Lethbridge Hurricanes head coach Michael Dyck, a former Pats defenceman who reportedly has a strained relationship with 'Canes GM Roy Stasiuk and may not return to Lethbridge next season. Dyck guided the Hurricanes to the WHL final in 2007-08.
Another intriguing possibility might be Swift Current Broncos head coach/GM Dean Chynoweth, who recently had the option year of his contract picked up but didn't receive an extension from the club. Chynoweth has a long-standing relationship with Parker and — since he's an experienced GM — would be qualified to take the reins if/when Parker decides to step away.
Another option is to bring back Curtis Hunt, who — despite the lack of a significant playoff run — was a big part of the franchise's resurgence during his four-year tenure before leaving last summer to join the NHL's Ottawa Senators. The Sens want him to continue running their AHL affiliate in Binghamton, but he hasn't announced a decision.
Meanwhile, there's speculation the Pats may be interested in Humboldt Broncos head coach/GM Dean Brockman, whose team is currently participating in the Royal Bank Cup. Brockman has won three straight SJHL titles and is seeking his second straight national championship, so a move to the WHL is the next logical step.
If he wants the job, Brockman would be a leading candidate to replace Pats assistant coach Terry Perkins, whose contract is about to expire. However, since head coaches usually hire their assistants, it's premature to suggest Brockman will be offered a job by the Pats since their head-coaching post is still up in the air.
gharder@leaderpost.canwest.com
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Pats facing some tough decisions
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