Chiefs Assistant Moves On As Expected, Lethbridge Hires Shockey To Sub For Maxwell
Parry Shockey was still getting used to new surroundings Tuesday, contacting players, returning phone calls and otherwise diving into the latest chapter in his professional life.
As speculated last week, Shockey is the new head coach of the Western Hockey League Lethbridge Hurricanes.
For 2-1/2 seasons an assistant in Spokane, and prior to that a Chiefs scout, Shockey a week ago agreed to a two-year contract to run the Hurricanes’ bench on game nights.
The coaching vacancy opened when Hurricanes director of hockey operations and head coach Bryan Maxwell was suspended for a year for his part in an altercation with referee Brent Reiber. Under terms of the suspension Maxwell, the former Chiefs coach, is not allowed in the rink during games.
Shockey won’t have an assistant.
“Bryan Maxwell has molded this team into one that believes in the basics - working hard, playing physical and going to the net hard,” Shockey said. “In actual fact, this is almost like a co-coaching situation. He’ll be involved in practices and in determining the complexion of the team. I’m the head coach when it comes to the game.
“I’m comfortable with that. The opportunity to run the bench is where I needed experience the most.”
Shockey added, “It was extremely hard for me to leave Spokane. The organization is almost like family to me.”
Family - immediate family - entered into his decision. Shockey’s home in Tabor, Alberta, is only 25 minutes from the Hurricanes’ rink. Shockey and wife Adair have three children - Chiefs defenseman John Shockey and two girls, Regan, 15, and Kwynne, 14.
“The girls are growing up before my eyes,” he said. “I haven’t been very much a part of that.”
The Hurricanes and the Chiefs meet only once this season under the league’s new scheduling format, on Nov. 15 in Lethbridge.
“I’m going to miss the Spokane organization,” Shockey said. “Everybody in it gets along so well. I’ll miss the players. My role was being close to those guys.
“I phoned the kids who were drafted (Saturday) to congratulate them. Some of the (Spokane) players have called to congratulate me.”
As for a replacement on the Spokane staff, Chiefs coach Mike Babcock said, “Ideally we’ll have a guy in place and working by July 15.”
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