Winning Formula
March 30, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Winnipeg Ice News Release
When you talk to athletes and coaches about what makes teams successful you often hear the word 'chemistry'.
No, not the kind of chemistry that made you break out in a cold sweat when you had to study it in high school.
This is the kind that has to do with the way a group works together, a challenging thing that's part art and part science, and makes the whole better than the sum of its parts.
For the Winnipeg ICE building good chemistry is a priority and the players play a key role in making things work - players like Cole Muir.
Muir is closing in on 200 Western Hockey League games-played, and believes a key to creating the unity the ICE have is compassion.
"For us it was more just talking with them - (it's) not thinking just because you're older you don't talk to younger guys - making them feel as comfortable as possible," said Muir by phone from his dorm room at the University of Regina. "Putting us in their shoes when we were their ages I'd say was a big factor for us, and just being there and being approachable as much as we could be."
Bringing 26 players - and a team staff - together doesn't happen overnight, and that's why the ICE made team-building, leadership skills, and mental health education central parts of their Zoom gatherings dating back to early in the pandemic.
"Yeah, for sure," agreed Cole when asked if getting into the process months ago was of value. "We started really early, so we were always bonding on there. Some of the younger guys were a little bit shy, but we got them talking and I think those Zoom calls really brought them up."
And the bonds they've forged are evident in many ways including an impressive 6-and-3 start to this unique Hub-based season.
HITTING HIS STRIDE
Muir is doing what he can to make a difference on-ice too, with three goals in nine games in Regina he's producing at a level beyond the 11 goals he's turned in each of the past two seasons.
Nothing comes easy at this level, and Cole is working to find consistency by calling on lessons learned from three previous seasons in the WHL.
"I think I need to - move my feet - is the biggest thing for me," said the product of Vista, Manitoba. "I'm a big body so I'm able to hold on to pucks. If I move my feet everything falls into place usually, that's one thing I've noticed over the last few years. As long as you're working hard, moving your feet, everything will fall into place."
Like they did when Muir put together a three-game point streak earlier in the 2021 season, with two goals and an assist, while the ICE were in the midst of a five-game win streak.
Being a contributor to a successful team is a goal for all players and that's no different for Cole who appreciates where he is at this point in his career.
"It means a lot. I've been working hard for it. I've just got to apply my talents, and it usually pays off so as long as I keep doing that I've got nothing to worry about."
START IN THE GAME
Every player's path to the Western League is different, Cole Muir's has small town beginnings.
How small?
Cole says his hometown of Vista is less than a dozen folks in number.
But, not far down the road is Rossburn - and a rink - and that's where it all got started.
"In Rossburn there's public skating and my parents decided to take me one night. They said I liked it, and I've just been playing ever since," said Muir who was inspired early by crossing paths with Dawson Barteaux who'd become an ICE standout and now skates with the AHL's Texas Stars. "Got to make triple-A Bantam, the Chiefs team, and that was a big step for me. I got to play with Dawson Barteaux there, and he got drafted (to the WHL). So I wanted to follow in his footsteps somehow, and that's kind of how it went."
Cole became a second-round pick of the Regina Pats in the WHL Draft, and debuted with the Pats as a 16-year-old, before being dealt to the ICE in 2017-18.
An iron man of sorts, he hasn't missed a game each of the past two seasons.
It makes for an inspiring story, with small town roots, which brings us back to chemistry and teamwork.
You see, Cole Muir comes by his appreciation for team togetherness honestly - it's what's helped him live out his hockey dreams.
"The support from my family over the years has been phenomenal," said Cole sincerely. "They never fail to get me to a practice or a game, and all the time and money put into it, I'm really grateful for that."
Western Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2021
- Wheat Kings Dominate Raiders in 7-1 Final - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Shorthanded Raiders Fall to Wheat Kings - Prince Albert Raiders
- Ernst Out Indefinitely - Kelowna Rockets
- Chiefs Add Forward Mitchell Kohner on Loan - Spokane Chiefs
- Winning Formula - Winnipeg Ice
- Raiders Sign Dallyn Peekeekoot to WHL Standard Player Agreement - Prince Albert Raiders
- WHL Announces Suspension of Activities for Kelowna Rockets - WHL
- March 30 Preview: Raiders vs Wheat Kings at 5 PM - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Cougars Earn First Victory in the Hub - Prince George Cougars
- Broncos Drop Wild 9-4 Game to Regina - Swift Current Broncos
- Royals Clawed by Cougars - Victoria Royals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
