Q & A with Nailers Player/Assistant Coach Terry Virtue
August 26, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
In 1992, The Wheeling Thunderbirds played their first season in Wheeling, one of the up and coming stars on that team was defenseman Terry Virtue. He now returns to Wheeling after 11 years of playing in the AHL and NHL, and he is excited to take a new step in his career. Recently wheelingnailers.com had a chance to ask Terry a few questions about this upcoming year.
WN: Are you looking forward to taking a new step in your career as you become a player assistant under new head coach Glenn Patrick?
Terry: Yes it's a big step for me, I've always been interested in the coaching side of hockey. All the guys I've played with always thought that I'd be a good coach so that helped in making the decision.
WN: With all of the experience you have from playing, how do you think that will help you as you move into the coaching ranks?
Terry: Hopefully I will get a lot of respect from the young guys on the team, I know what it takes to succeed. I don't have a whole lot of NHL experience, but I've been there and I've seen many of my teammates over the years make it there. At this level everyone wants to make it to the NHL, you just have to stay positive and work hard.
WN: What have you heard of new head coach Glenn Patrick that made you want to sign in Wheeling and become his player/assistant?
Terry: I've known Glenn for 5-6 years now from playing against his teams in Wilkes-Barre. We always respected his teams, every time we played they had a good squad. All the guys that I talked to that knew him said he was a great guy, and that matched up with what I already had thought of him.
WN: I know you and Coach Patrick have been working the phones a lot trying to get a good team in here, how do you think recruiting is going?
Terry: I think we're on the right track, we have a positive outlook from the players we've been talking with. I think we will find a couple of more talented guys, we have a good idea on all of the players out there.
WN: Do you have anything you want to say to the Nailers fans out there?
Terry: I'm happy to back, I hope the fans still welcome me back with open arms. I want to see the team do well on the ice as well as off of it. Because I'm from this community, it is important for us to succeed in both areas to be considered a success.
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