Corner Brook -
The Corner Brook Junior Royals will be without head coach Terry Billard for the remainder of the regular season and into the playoffs, although the bench boss is clearly still keeping a close eye on his team.
Billard, along with Central Junior Cataracts' trainer Blair Rice, was suspended 10 games by Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador after an altercation between the two benches just before the Christmas break.
The veteran coach offered no comment on the incident, other than to say it was currently being appealed. He will be eligible to resume his coaching duties in Game 3 of whoever the baby Royals end up playing in the first round of the Central/West Junior Hockey League playoffs. In the meantime, assistant coaches Scott Wayson and Glen Knee, along with trainer Dean Kean, will guide the ship.
Some might think that's simply the icing on the cake for Billard after a disappointing first half that saw the Junior Royals compile a 2-7-0-1 record, leaving them in third place in the four-team setup.
Not quite.
"I'm not disappointed with the record," Billard said. "Obviously I'd like to be a little better, but I'm not disappointed. I would like to have more wins, but considering where we started from, how we were late getting going and how we're still having some problems with getting practice time ... we've got a young team and we're just going through some growing pains."
That youthful lineup with be complemented with some returning veterans after Christmas, in the form of Matt Coles and Kristian Kavli, both back home from Alberta. The possibility also exists of adding a yet-to-be-named goaltender from Labrador who may be moving to the area.
"It's looking good, we're making four or five additions to the team," Billard said. "We'll be losing (defenceman) Derek Stone, who was doing firefighting and will be done in January. He's going to go back and play with Southern Shore, so we'll miss him."
No matter who is or isn't in the lineup, and Billard's main Christmas wish is for at least a game or two with 20 skaters to choose from, the main factor in any success the squad might experience in 2010 is commitment.
Surely a team that was built on the very desire of the players who refused to let it die wouldn't struggle with commitment? It's not as easy as that in the world of junior B hockey, according to the coach.
"Some are in school and have exams or need to study," said Billard. "Some of these kids are working and getting time off to travel on a Saturday is hard on them because they're just starting new jobs, so they can't just go in and barter for time off. It's a challenge, but we've got a team, the league looks pretty good and I'm looking forward to us getting everybody on par after Christmas and getting some more practice times together."
Another bonus in the new year will be an affiliation deal recently inked with the senior Royals of the West Coast Senior Hockey League, that will allow a give and take that could be mutually beneficial to both clubs.
"I don't know what that's going to bring us, but there's the possibility some of our players might be able to play for the Royals if they need a player," Billard said. "It's always good for younger players to be at the top of their game if the Royals are watching and looking for players. Plus, it also gives us the possibility of picking up a player like a Kevin Saunders or a Jordan White, who are on the Royals roster. All that is up to the Royals themselves, but the agreement is in place and what I like about it is some of the young fellas we have here like a Shane Colombe or somebody might get a game with the Royals if they need a hand."
The Junior Royals return to the ice for competitive action on Jan. 10 against the Cataracts.
