The Charlotte Checkers have an unusual influx on their roster – four players and a coach who lost jobs when the rival Columbia Inferno suspended operations after last season.
The players would have landed somewhere, as part of minor-league hockey's nomadic nature. But coach Troy Mann, still under contract with Columbia, didn't want to sit out a season. So, he's on loan, and is an associate coach with Derek Wilkinson.
And, Mann helped direct some of his players on the migration north on Interstate 77.
“It's a no-brainer, to pick up a head coach who can help out,” Wilkinson said. “You don't have these opportunities come along very often.”
Mann, 39, is in his fifth season coaching, and is 62-62-20 in two seasons as Columbia's coach.
Former Inferno players in Charlotte are defenseman Julien Brouillette, forwards Jeff Miles and Peter Tsimikalis and goalie Jeff Jakaitis.
“Coming to a new team when you're by yourself is more of an adjustment period,” said Miles, who was among the ECHL's top 10 scorers each of the past two seasons.
“When you've got a few guys you know, it's a lot easier. We'll take the best Troy has to offer, and the best Wilky has to offer, and I think it'll make a lot of guys better hockey players.”
The scouting report on Mann: Intense, dedicated, eager and willing to teach.
How intense?
“He's broken a thing or two,” Miles said, laughing.
Mann said he didn't seriously consider remaining idle all season.
The Inferno is working on building an arena. Mann's family lives in Columbia, where his wife is a teacher.
“It's a unique situation, and I think it's a great idea,” Mann said. “I'm still a young coach, and I still want to move up the (hockey) ladder. Wilky's been great. We're sort of teaming up together. I keep myself visible behind the bench, and get to see all the players within the league.
“Hopefully, we are playing in Columbia in 2009-10. It's a good feel for recruiting back to Columbia if there is a team there next year.”
Miles had 76 and 70 points the past two seasons with Columbia, and brief promotions to American Hockey League teams. Tsimikalis had 27 points in 40 games last season.
Jakaitis and Brouillette had solid rookie seasons under Mann. Jakaitis was 12-14-6 with a 2.92 goals-against average. Brouillette had 17 points in 67 games.
Wilkinson said he likes that the infusion are “all good character guys,” and he'd recruited several. The group also will help others buy into Mann's philosophies.
“It's nice to know when he's speaking in the (locker) room and going over things, there's a group of guys that know it works,” Wilkinson said.
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