Mark Hunter assumes coaching role

Dale Hunter is new Capitals coach, so Mark Hunter takes over behind London bench

This is the story I wrote for: The Canadian Press:
By Mark Schadenberg
LONDON -- Not often would a first-place team be required to name a new head coach.
Late Sunday, however, Dale Hunter, 51, became the new bench boss of the Washington Capitals and thereby had to call his younger brother Mark to announce he was leaving the club which he coached to 451 regular-season wins over 11 seasons, including the 2005 Memorial Cup title.
On Monday, Mark Hunter, 49, named himself as new head coach of the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, elevating his responsibilities and role from that of vice president and general manager. Even though not listed in the program ever as an assistant coach, Mark Hunter all season has been a regular presence on the bench along with Dale and Dylan Hunter (Dale's son).
"It's going to be different," said Mark Hunter in a noon-hour press gathering Monday. "We have a good staff here. I feel comfortable with the group of coaches we have here -- it's a solid team."
The Knights staff includes assistant coaches Dylan, Misha Donskov (also assistant GM), defence coach Rob Ramage, development coach Dave Warren, director of scouting (former Knights head coach) Lindsay Hofford, goalie coach Bill Dark, and even a part-time sports psychologist on staff in Dr. Natasha Wesch. Donskov and Ramage were already on ice during practises and would be important eyes in the sky during games. Donskov, confirmed Mark Hunter, will now be seen on the bench more during games. It would appear the resources are in place.
One change in the club's operation that the Hunter family has not yet discussed, admitted Mark, is the position of team president which Dale held in an ownership group which also features former NHLer Basil McRae.
With the Knights completing a three-in-three weekend in Brampton on Sunday, there were no players at the John Labatt Centre Monday, giving the staff some organizational time.
"We don't plan on changing much, but we'll be watching game-by-game and if we have to tweak something, we will," said Mark Hunter.
"It's not like I'm coming in from upstairs. I've been on the bench. I have a pretty comfortable feel with how Dale was running things. Dale sometimes did a few things a little out of the box, but I think I have a good hockey mind to try things."
As for Dale Hunter, Mark says his brother is most certainly ready for the next level.
"It's anybody's dream to coach in the (NHL). It's well deserved by him. After 11 years here it's a great accomplishment for him. He's ready to go," said Mark, who added that Dale won two OHL coach of the year awards (2004 and 2005) and sent several players to the NHL, most notably Corey Perry, Dave Bolland, Patrick Kane, Sam Gagner and Steve Mason, along with Dennis Wideman and John Carlson who he will now coach in Washington.
"It's something to be very proud of to see players go on to the NHL and do as well as they've done -- like Corey Perry going up and winning the Hart Trophy. Winning is important to the organization, but developing players is even more important," said Mark Hunter.
With over four years previous as a head coach himself in the OHL with the Sarnia Sting, Mark Hunter expects a seamless transition even though his workload has changed -- possibly less time for scouting.
"I won't miss many practises. I believe that's the teaching tool," says Mark Hunter. "I'm going to put a little more pressure on Misha and Dylan. They will do a little more organizing practices. They already watch the tapes. Everybody always likes to have a little more to do and they're open for it."
Mark Hunter's resume includes head coaching roles in both the OHL and AHL as he was behind the bench for the St John's Maple Leafs in 1996-97, and wrapped around that season he had earned 155 wins in 306 contests with Sarnia, 1994-2000. It must be noted that the Sting won just one of six playoff rounds in his tenure where he coached future NHLers Trevor Letowski, Jon Sim, and Andy Delmore, among others.
The current Knights, meantime, have earned their way to its No 1 CHL ranking with 20 victories in 26 contests, leading the OHL in goals with 114, and not losing consecutive games even once this season. London has exceeded expectations with a generally younger lineup including rookies Max Domi, Bo Horvat and first overall CHL Import pick Olli Maatta from Finland. The young core also includes twins Ryan and Matt Rupert, Andreas Athanasiou, and Dane Fox. A certain surprise is that Seth Griffith leads the club in goals (17) and points (33).
London's lineup has just four NHL-drafted players in captain Jarred Tinordi (Montreal), along with Jared Knight (Boston), Vladislav Namestnikov (Tampa), and Team Canada world junior hopeful Scott Harrington (Pittsburgh).
The Mark Hunter era debut is Friday with a visit by the under-achieving Saginaw Spirit, which has won two straight, but have just 10 wins in 27 starts.
Although confirming he is the head coach going forward, the one commitment Mark Hunter was unable to confirm obviously is the long term picture.
"I think every year we look back and see if anything needs to be adjusted and analyze how we've done -- the coaches and the players. That is something we've always done and will continue to do with this hockey club."
One area where Mark admits he will have less time is scouting. More emphasis will have to be put on the legwork of Hofford and his staff.
Mark Hunter's NHL career included 628 games with Montreal, St. Louis, Calgary, Hartford and Washington, winning a Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1989. In 19 years, Dale Hunter became the only NHL player to record over 1,000 points and 3,000 penalty minutes, playing 1,407 games plus 186 more in the playoffs.