from Gary Santaniello of the New York Times,
After blowing a late-game lead and losing, the Green Bay Gamblers hockey players received a simple order from their coach, a former lawyer named Jon Cooper: For their next practice back home, meet at a local park at 7 a.m.
When they arrived, the only trace of Cooper was a note, left under a puck in the middle of a football field.
“This is what it feels like when we show up to every game and you guys don’t!” it read. “Figure it out!”
“That completely flipped our season,” said Pat McCadden, the captain of that 2009-10 Gamblers team. Their season ended with a Clark Cup, the championship of the United States Hockey League, the country’s top junior league....
Since leaving law in 2003 to devote himself full time to hockey, Cooper, 53, has won championships with every team he has coached: at: two levels of junior hockey, in the American Hockey League and in the N.H.L.
Asked to list the secrets to his success, Cooper smiled slightly and provided his admittedly stock answer.
“One, understanding life,” he said. “Two, a loyal dog. And three, a good goaltender.”
Those who have played for Cooper, hired him and witnessed his handiwork say his ability to make adjustments and connect with all types of players has been integral to his success.
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