By Dan Hermanutz

New man in charge

Scott Atkinson named Olds Grizzlys GM/Head Coach

Jan 28, 2020 | 6:15 PM

The Olds Grizzlys have named Scott Atkinson as their new Head Coach and General Manager.

Atkinson, a coaching veteran of over 29 seasons, is taking over a team currently sitting in sixth place in the AJHL South Division standings with nine wins and 23 points.

“We have good people in place and that’s always the most important piece, you have to get good people and then start chipping away at making your vision a reality,” said Atkinson Tuesday afternoon. “We’re in the early stages of that, the team has not been doing well from a wins loss perspective, but we had a real good practice yesterday and we’re going to play tonight.”

The team has continued to battle all year through adversity, including two coaching changes and a stretch that saw them drop eight of their last nine games, including five straight.

Atkinson says he wants to build something like he had in previous positions with the team having a large role in the community. He wants to get involved in the minor hockey program, build their own hockey development program and run summer hockey schools.

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For him it’s about affecting development in both hockey and in life.

“We have to execute on our plan. That’s no different for the players, through the management, through the coaching staff to the ownership group. We have to dig in together and try and find some solutions to common problems and I have confidence that we will do that,” said the new coach. “We have to look at how we do everything. If we’re not happy with our result right now, and we will see what happens between now and the end of the year, as an organization you’re always evaluating and you’re always looking for solutions to problems. To me, we just have to work on those margins to enhance our product on the ice. I think it’ll take a bunch of little adjustments, not a major overhaul.”

“We’re going to be a hard working team that plays the game well. So that is what we will try to do, we will play well and generally speaking if you play well and have high character people, then you usually find a way to be successful.”

Atkinson will get his first chance behind the bench tonight (Tuesday) as the Grizzlys they travel to Calgary to play the last place Canucks.