AHL Utica Comets

Comet Tales: Meet Coach Nolan Baumgartner

Published on November 8, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


Two years removed from playing defense in the American Hockey League, Comets assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner continues to evolve into his off-ice occupation.

After speaking with Baumgartner, one of the two assistant coaches on Travis Green's staff (Paul Jerrard is Nolan's associate), two things are clear in regards to his current career path. Baumgartner is approaching his occupation no different than when he made his NHL debut, at age 19 for the Washington Capitals in a game against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver, during the 1995-96 season. With a positive attitude and a constant appetite to advance through hard work, Baumgartner eyes a position behind an NHL bench.

Drafted tenth overall by the Capitals in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Baumgartner is very much concentrating on the here and now in Utica. With the Comets having gone winless during their first ten contests, the coaching staff finds themselves in a quagmire. Along with developing Vancouver Canucks prospects, they also have the dubious duty to give it their best effort to make the zero in the wins column not an out of control distraction.

"You have to approach it (winless streak) from the bigger picture; as a learning process," said Baumgartner. "You want to keep everyone staying positive. We (Comets) aren't getting blown out. As players, we coaches experienced things like this, so we can help them deal with what comes along."

For Baumgartner, getting acquainted with maneuvering around the Mohawk Valley hasn't hit any bumps in the road. Speaking after Comets practice last Saturday afternoon, Baumgartner sees similarities between the Mohawk Valley and Calgary, Alberta, his homtown. Last season, his first year coaching in the Canucks system as an assistant on Scott Arniel's staff with the Chicago Wolves, Baumgartner found himself in the 'Windy City' for a second consecutive season. Packing, relocating, and settling in is no distraction for Baumgartner.

"My wife is used to this. We've moved around quite a bit. The city where you are playing or coaching in is what you make of it," Baumgartner tells. "Our little guy is three-years old and we are all enjoying our time here. It has been a great experience. We have never hated where we were."

For Baumgartner,37, the age gap between he and a number of the Comets who he instructs is within a decade. Newly signed Ken Huskins is but three years Nolan's junior. Having played on a Wolves team three seasons back that included several members of the current Comets roster, transitioning to coaching for Baumgartner at first was difficult.

I wasn't planning on ending my playing career. Two years ago after we (Chicago) lost to San Antonio in the playoffs, I planned to play the following season. I wanted to keep going until I was 40," says Baumgartner, who was in attendanceat the Hartford Civic Center when selected by Washington. "I was approached by Vancouver with a three year coaching deal. I told them I still wanted to play. After I thought about it, it was a no brainer to start on the AHL level."

Baumgartner admits that he struggled last year in his new role within the Vancouver system. He tells of this season being 'a little easier', and enjoying all that goes with his coaching job description. "You always think as a player on the bench. As a coach you have to think quickly," admits Baumgartner.

On July 6,2012 when the Canucks announced that Baumgartner would be part of the Chicago coaching staff, the former captain of the 2003-04 Manitoba Moose team had to come up with a new game plan. How would he interact with guys who just months earlier he shared the same locker room? Comets Joe Cannata, Yann Sauve, and Frankie Corrado were among Baumgartner's teammates during his final season skating for the Wolves.

"It was probably tougher for the guys seeing me in a track suit. We were still friends but as a coach, they all were respectful." Baumgartner said.

Although calling his switch from playing to coaching a 'no brainer', Baumgartner did his homework on making such a major career move. Nolan makes no secret about talking to 'a lot of people' before finally agreeing to the contract offered. First, Baumgartner sought out the opinion of Craig Heisinger. The two were friends when Baumgartner played for the Moose, and Heisinger worked his way up from equipment manager to assistant general manager in Manitoba. Today, Heisinger is the assistant general manager and director of hockey operations for the Winnipeg Jets. Next, Baumgartner spoke to a buddy with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL.

Among others who Baumgartner quizzed on directing his career options in coaching were Arniel and Foligno, and another former coach in Chicago - Craig MacTavish. Currently the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, McTavish is among Baumgartner's circle of trust. "They were all a real big help to me in making my decision. Things they taught me are helping me now through the losing streak," Baumgartner believes.

With his first season in Chicago, and now Utica fresh in memory, Baumgartner remembers his last game wearing a Canucks uniform. It was during an exhibition game that Baumgartner last skated in an NHL uniform. "It was a real privilege to play in the NHL. To me, it's real important to pass on my experiences to our young guys on what it takes to get, and stay at that level," Baumgartner informs. "My first game with Washington, our coach asked if I could play forward. I played half the game on defense. I never took for granted where I was. Dale Hunter was our captain and was a good teammate and person to me. I was 18-years old and needing a calming influence." Baumgartner remembers.

Thoughts came back with what appears to be ease as Baumgartner recalls of how he learned from the Capitals on how to treat a rookie. Getting to the AHL and then the NHL, from juniors with the Winnipeg Warriors and Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL, influenced Baumgartner's growing up. From living with billet families, where his meals were cooked and bed made, to being by himself in a big city. Then having to find his own place, and understanding what to do with the money he then had, was shocking to get a handle on for Baumgartner.

"I remember flying to Portland (Maine) in the dead of night. From the airport, I got a cab, found the hotel, then it was straight to the ice," Baumgartner states.

As for the start in getting to Portland, Baumgartner remembers with great detail being selected by Washington at the 1994 draft in Hartford. "I was in the stands with my parents. It was a long day. You walk in a room, and there are nine or 10 guys. The owner, general manager, scouts, they are all asking intense questions. It was fun, though. You see hockey legends, guys you emulated playing street hockey, and your TV idols." says Baumgartner.

Baumgartner insists the best part of being in the NHL is knowing that hard work is what got him there, and allowed him to stay in the league. The people Nolan met outside of the game were then and remain valued friends, as well.

Syracuse Crunch coach Rob Zettler and Baumgartner were teammates in Portland during the 1999-00 AHL season. Although the former defensive pair didn't get to spend time together during the third home game of this season for the Comets, who hosting the Crunch, Baumgartner holds Zettler in the highest regard. "I have great memories of Rob. He was a veteran guy that played in the NHL, and was just as professional when in the minors. He worked hard and loved to play." Baumgartner explains.

Teaching, coaching, instructing, Nolan Baumgartner is all that, and a proud mentor of the Utica Comets.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 8, 2013


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