DeSantis Looks to Build Around Core Players
Published on May 8, 2014 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Brampton Beast News Release
This past season was special for Head Coach and Vice President of Hockey Operations, Mark DeSantis, as he coached the Brampton Beast during their inaugural season in his hometown. The Brampton Beast finished in sixth place and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in their inaugural year.
DeSantis shared his thoughts on the team's performance in its inaugural season. "We had our ups and downs and it was very inconsistent at times but that's what you get with a first year team," DeSantis commented. He mentioned that it was a challenge having brought in 19 players that have never played together, finding a core group of guys, and building around them. Some of the things DeSantis believes they did do well this season were bringing in good character guys and beating every team in the league. This helped the Beast have confidence going into every game that they had a chance to win.
When asked how the Beast was different than other teams he has coached, DeSantis recalls his final year as a player for the Rapid City Rush during their inaugural season in 2008-09. He said that the Beast was similar to that team as both teams had ups and downs. The difference was that the Rush only won 22 games and did not make the playoffs while the Beast won 33 games and made the playoffs. "That's a positive," he mentioned.
Following his final year as a player, DeSantis became an assistant coach for Rapid City. Building off their first season, they had a core group put together and brought in players to compliment the core. The team went on to win the Ray Miron President's Cup that year.
In the off-season, DeSantis, along with Assistant Coach Brent Hughes, plan to bring back their core players and build from there. "The recruiting process is long and hard. I don't know what people think, but the hardest part about our job is recruiting. The easy part is coaching during the season once you have a team," explained DeSantis.
DeSantis explained that one of the challenges of recruiting is finding out targeted player's unique set of priorities and educating the player on why Brampton is a good match. "Yeah we have a great facility, we have great ownership, the guys are treated very well here, but at the end of the day that might not be a determining factor for a player wanting to come play in Brampton."
Looking at the overall positive picture of the Brampton Beast, DeSantis said, "Hopefully we can re-sign some of the core guys we want back and build off of those guys while filling in the gaps." He hopes to finish higher next season and make it further in the playoffs. DeSantis had a 33-26-7 record in 66 games coached this season with the Beast. His combined record as a head coach is 68-44-10 with 122 games coached.
Central Hockey League Stories from May 8, 2014
- Shots from the Point for May 9, 2014 (Finals Edition) - CHL
- DeSantis Looks to Build Around Core Players - Brampton Beast
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