KEARNEY, Neb. – After a national search, new Tri-City Storm Head Coach and General Manager Bill Muckalt has chosen his assistants, hiring Ben Gordon and Taylor Nelson to join him behind the bench for the 2015-16 USHL season.
“It was a very extensive process,” said Muckalt. “What I like about Ben and Taylor is that they’ve both played on championship teams at high levels on hockey. They’re both very eager, have attention to detail and are passionate about the game. Our players are going to be able to relate to them and they’ll demand respect. I’m really happy to get them on board and excited to get their families integrated in the Tri-City community.”
Gordon comes to the Storm from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn., where he served as an assistant coach during the 2014-15 season. Before making the transition to coaching, Gordon played six years of professional hockey with various teams in the ECHL, AHL, DEL and CHL.
“I think Ben’s going to do a tremendous job,” Muckalt said. “He had a great junior and collegiate career, won a Clark Cup championship in the USHL and comes very highly recommended by a lot of college coaches, people that I respect and value. Our players are going to be able to look to him for advice and he will help improve their skills.”
Muckalt said Gordon’s role will be a mixed bag, helping both on the ice during practices and on the road, recruiting future players.
“I think Ben’s going to do everything,” Muckalt said. “He’s going to work on skill development with our forwards and defenseman, and he’ll help with the scouting. I envision him having a lot of areas to help with and I know he’s going to make our team better.”
Gordon played his college hockey at the University of Minnesota from 2004-08, appearing in the NCAA Tournament four times. The forward also led the Gophers with 15 goals during the 2007-08 season.
Before college, Gordon won a Clark Cup championship with the Lincoln Stars in 2003.
“In my opinion, the USHL is one of the best junior hockey leagues in the world and it’s an honor to get a chance to work for a respected coach like Bill,” Gordon said. “I’m really excited to get going and it will be a challenge but I’m really excited for it.”
“When I won the Clark Cup it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my hockey career and I can relate to the kind of team it took to win. We were a very tight knit group of guys and I still stay in touch with a lot of them today. I’m just hoping to share my experience of what it took to get to a championship caliber team.”
The Storm will also get some help for their goaltenders with Nelson, who was a netminder during his collegiate career with Ferris State.
After finishing up his playing career with Ferris, Nelson became a Volunteer Assistant Coach with the University, learning the inner workings of the organization while helping with the team’s video preparation.
“I think Taylor’s going to be a great addition,” Muckalt said. “He went to the Frozen Four as a starting goaltender with Ferris State so he’s going to be able to help our goalies on a day-to-day basis. He’s also going to help with our video scouting and be a younger voice for our players to look to.”
During his four-year collegiate career, Nelson played in 70 games. But his senior season was when the team was at its best as Nelson won 21 games, had a goals against average of 2.10 and a save percentage of .924.
“I’d like to thank the Storm for giving me the opportunity to be part of the organization,” Nelson said. “My family and I are really looking forward to being there and getting a nice new start in Kearney.”
“I’m also excited to put a team on the ice that’s going to win hockey games and move players on to the next level. Last season I had the privilege of watching Michigan Tech play on a couple different occasions and I liked their pace of play. I know coach Muckalt had a big factor in that style and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
While knowing he can be of help to the team’s new goaltenders this season, Nelson said he doesn’t want to make any big changes to their game.
“Every goaltender has their own style and I’m not coming in to change how goaltenders play,” Nelson said. From a goaltending standpoint, I can work with them, be an ear for them to talk to and break down the position in a way that others can’t. The main thing is not trying to change them, but catering to what they’d like to work on and developing their game to a level that they’d like to be at.”
Gordon and Nelson are expected to join Muckalt in Kearney next month, preparing for training camp and the arrival of the team’s new skaters.
Tri-City Storm season tickets for the 2015-16 season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Viaero Event Center Box Office at308.338.8011.