We Learn from the Very Best: An Interview with Coach Billy Moores (Part II)

What do you love about coaching?

Mr. Moores: "I love helping people reach their potential. I believe that my strength is to challenge people and encourage them to be the best that they can be. When people are achieving, most times they are happy."

What is your favorite...

Hockey Movie: Slapshot,
Hockey Song: The Hockey Song

Who is your inspiration and why?

Clare Drake....(Mr. Moores played for Mr. Drake for 1 year at the UofA, and then coached with him for 12 years. He was, and still is, a mentor and a friend.) He learned from Mr. Drake:

Attention to detail

Preparedness in all things

The ability to handle people.....Mr. Moores never heard Mr. Drake swear in the dressing room. However, Coach Moores hasn't taken all of Coach Drake's advice...he has been known to use stronger language, if it gets the point across!

Why do you do what you do?

Mr. Moores: "I love the game. I enjoy working with people. Coaching is another form of teaching, which I enjoy as well. While I still could be happy teaching Junior High, because I found it gratifying, I had to practice what I preached. I had to model the behaviour that I was asking from my students and players. So, I challenged my comfort zone, took the UofA coaching job, and then went to Japan to work with the Kokudo Team and the Japanese National Team.

I then had the opportunity to work for the New York Rangers, before coming back to Edmonton to work with the Oilers. I believe that I am suited for what I do.

I enjoy challenging people's comfort zones to help them achieve their potential."

Why do you think that you are so respected in this profession?

Mr. Moores: (Humbly stated...) "I don't know if I can own that statement. But, looking at it from the outside, I would have to say that it may be because wherever I am, I am there 100%. For example, while I am here, doing this interview, this is exactly where I want to be, and what I focus on for the entire hour that I am here."

"I also believe that you get back what you give out, and I try to always be respectful in my dealings with people.

One of the most difficult days of my life was in 1984 when we decided to cut 5 returning players from the UofA Golden Bears. While I did not believe that they were reaching their potential and trying to improve themselves every day, it was still difficult to let them go. I tried to leave all of them with their dignity, and respectfully let them go.

As a result, we had a competitive team for the next five years, and this set the tone for our respected program where players did not take their spot on the team for granted. Eventually, all of the players that I cut came to my office to thank me, but at the time, it felt like it was the end of the world for them, and I understood that."

SH: "Why we think that you are respected is that you are a real guy. You never hold yourself above anyone else, or hold yourself 'better than.' As people following in your footsteps, the players that Vanessa and I get to work with are the beneficiaries of your values and your wisdom."

If you could do anything else as a career, what would it be?

Mr. Moores: "I grew up wanting to be a Phys. Ed teacher. I did this for many years, and could still be happy as a teacher today. In challenging my comfort zone, I have found that coaching, as another form of teaching, is what I am suited for. I don't want to retire, because I love doing what I do. I'd like to improve my golf game though, and possibly eventually get into personal coaching."

Thank you Coach Moores for sharing your insights and a little bit of who you are... you are proof that 'nice guys finish first'

Steffany Hanlen is skating caoch extrordinaire.For more than 20 years Steffany has been a full time power skating coach. Steffany is one of the first skating coaches to be hired by an NHL team. Steffany worked with the Edmonton Oilers for 9 years beginning in 1991 and is currently with the St. Louis Blues organization. She has developed her skating program called Quantum Speed(TM) a three week over three month skating program. Steffany trains skating instructors and apprentices in the skills and business of running successful Quantum Speed skating camps. http://www.quantumspeed.ca e-mail info@quantumspeed.ca

Steffany Hanlen is a motivational Speaker and athletic performance coach http://www.steffanyhanlen.com