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Independence, MO —
It’s been a bittersweet week for Missouri Mavericks coach Scott Hillman.
He’s watched a Fort Wayne Komets team take a 3-0 lead against Wichita in the CHL Ray Miron Cup Championship Finals, knowing that his club was seconds away from topping the Komets in the Turner Conference championship series and advancing to the league championship round for the first time in the three-year history of the Mavericks.
“It’s a bittersweet time because of what’s happening in the playoffs,” Hillman said, “but it’s also a healing time – both mentally and physically. We came so close, but that just makes us want to work that much harder next year to put together a team that can make it all the way to the championship series.”
Hillman conducted exit interviews with every member of the team this week and said the evaluation process for the 2012-13 Mavericks is already under way.
“We’re in the process of talking to players who will make us an even better team next year, and that’s exciting,” he said. “Who knows, we might have some exciting news over the next few weeks.”
One big question about next season centers on goaltender Charlie Effinger, who tied for the league lead in wins (32), had 290 more saves than any other goalie in the league and was second with a .923 goals-against average.
“We believe Charlie wants to play hockey next season, and we hope it’s here,” Hillman said. “Charlie wants to pursue excellence, and we want to give him every opportunity to do just that.”
Effinger was on a two-way contract this past season with Chicago of the American Hockey League, but he spent little time with the Wolves because of his role in the Mavericks’ dramatic drive to the playoffs.
“It’s far too early to tell where Charlie will be,” Hillman added, “but I can promise the fans this, the solid core of this team will be back next season and we will upgrade other positions.”
Fan favorites David Simoes, who was voted by the players in the CHL as the toughest man, pound for pound in the league; forward Ed McGrane, who was voted the most gentlemanly player; and Defensive Player of the Year finalist Dave Pszenyczny are living in Eastern Jackson County this summer, along with many other players who are attempting to find summer jobs.
“The boys, for the most part, really like it here,” Hillman said. “We were able to bring in players who made an impact on the ice, in the locker room and in this community. Everyone wants to come back and we are going to accommodate as many players as we can.”
Hillman said he has no plans to take any time off during the offseason, as he and team president and general manager are already looking at marquee players to add to the lineup.
“We’re talking to some players right now who will get our fans very excited,” Hillman said. “I know I’m excited. It might be the offseason, but I think there will be some good news for our fans as we do our best to piece together a championship-caliber team.”
It’s been a bittersweet week for Missouri Mavericks coach Scott Hillman.
He’s watched a Fort Wayne Komets team take a 3-0 lead against Wichita in the CHL Ray Miron Cup Championship Finals, knowing that his club was seconds away from topping the Komets in the Turner Conference championship series and advancing to the league championship round for the first time in the three-year history of the Mavericks.
“It’s a bittersweet time because of what’s happening in the playoffs,” Hillman said, “but it’s also a healing time – both mentally and physically. We came so close, but that just makes us want to work that much harder next year to put together a team that can make it all the way to the championship series.”
Hillman conducted exit interviews with every member of the team this week and said the evaluation process for the 2012-13 Mavericks is already under way.
“We’re in the process of talking to players who will make us an even better team next year, and that’s exciting,” he said. “Who knows, we might have some exciting news over the next few weeks.”
One big question about next season centers on goaltender Charlie Effinger, who tied for the league lead in wins (32), had 290 more saves than any other goalie in the league and was second with a .923 goals-against average.
“We believe Charlie wants to play hockey next season, and we hope it’s here,” Hillman said. “Charlie wants to pursue excellence, and we want to give him every opportunity to do just that.”
Effinger was on a two-way contract this past season with Chicago of the American Hockey League, but he spent little time with the Wolves because of his role in the Mavericks’ dramatic drive to the playoffs.
“It’s far too early to tell where Charlie will be,” Hillman added, “but I can promise the fans this, the solid core of this team will be back next season and we will upgrade other positions.”
Fan favorites David Simoes, who was voted by the players in the CHL as the toughest man, pound for pound in the league; forward Ed McGrane, who was voted the most gentlemanly player; and Defensive Player of the Year finalist Dave Pszenyczny are living in Eastern Jackson County this summer, along with many other players who are attempting to find summer jobs.
“The boys, for the most part, really like it here,” Hillman said. “We were able to bring in players who made an impact on the ice, in the locker room and in this community. Everyone wants to come back and we are going to accommodate as many players as we can.”
Hillman said he has no plans to take any time off during the offseason, as he and team president and general manager are already looking at marquee players to add to the lineup.
“We’re talking to some players right now who will get our fans very excited,” Hillman said. “I know I’m excited. It might be the offseason, but I think there will be some good news for our fans as we do our best to piece together a championship-caliber team.”
