QUOTES: GM PAT DUNN ON COACHING CHANGE

May 9, 2016

Opening statement regarding the coaching decision:

"Today, the IceRays announced that we will not be renewing Mr. John Becanic's contract after three years. We're going to move forward, and we have cut ties today. We wish John all the best."

On Becanic's reaction to the decision:

Obviously, it always comes as a surprise, and it's never a thing that's fun to do. We've worked with each other for three years. We've gotten to know each other on a personal note, so it's always a tough decision. At the end of the day, we run a business. It's not personal. It's about the business, and we need to win some hockey games. John did a great job taking the team to a level, and now we've got to take it up a notch one more time and take it to the next level. We wish him all the best, and we are looking forward to the next few years."

On the reasons to make the change:

"Our record speaks for itself. We didn't make the playoffs two of three years, so I think that comes at the top of the line, and maybe the lack of college commitments as well. We're on the short end of the stick. We have to get better at that, and we want to be a playoff contender every year. Obviously, every team does. There's a lot of teams pushing, and it's hard. It's not easy, and I'm not saying we will make it every year, but that's certainly our goal."

On whether college commitments is a role of coaching/reaching out to schools or good players:

"It's a bit of both. It's one thing reaching out to the college coaches, but if they don't want your players and don't have the need for the players that you have…it's a bit of both. But I think reaching out, speaking, and selling your product is one thing. I think we just have to get better at doing that."

On the speed of the decision following the season:

"It was made fairly quickly. We had talks, and we were looking at other options, too, that John could have fit in. We just didn't really concur or agree, so the decision on John being the coach was pretty quick after the season."

On the anticipation of a decision being made:

"I mean, you kind of know. I think deep down you don't want to think about it. I'm just assuming right now. That's not really a question I can answer. John would be the one answering that question, but I don't know if he was or not."

On the timetable to find a new head coach:

"The search has begun. We're going a different route than we did three years ago when we hired John. I went through 67 applicants, and today as the deal went off, I already have 11 people that have applied so far. I have 11 resumes, and it's only been an hour. I don't know if there's a coach change app on cell phones if they get alerts, but that happened pretty quick, and we will not go that route. We have a shortlist of coaches–to be more specific it's three guys–and we will have that done quite shortly."

On what the team is looking for in the next coach:

"We want to play an up-tempo game. We are in a non-traditional hockey market. I'm sure [our fans] prefer the 7-6 wins over the 1-0 wins, and we want to play to win…We want a guy that's going to bring energy and high-tempo play. Take chances, make mistakes, and it's okay. Let the kids play and not handcuff them. Let them play for what we recruited them for, not try to change their game, and let them be who they are. It makes for exciting hockey. It's 'heart attack hockey' we call it. They make mistakes, but that's what we want to see. We want the kids to play, to make plays, and make it exciting."