Scott Arniel is continuing his search for the answers with the team that gave him his first head coaching job.
After leading the Manitoba Moose to the Calder Cup final, Arniel has been rewarded with a three-year contract extension to serve as head coach of the primary development team of the Vancouver Canucks.
"Do I have all the answers? I don't think so, but I've learned an awful lot," said Arniel, the reigning AHL coach of the year after leading the Moose to a record of 50-23-1-6 for 107 points last season. "Where I am today is light years from where I was when I took the job three years ago. I'm a lot more polished."
In his final meeting with the players after the Calder Cup final, Arniel said there were still some things he needed to work on and he shared some of those things yesterday.
"You're always learning and you're trying to maybe find an edge that beats the next guy," said Arniel. "System-wise, there are some things I'd like to try as well. You're always a work in progress and that's the fun part of it.
"The part I love is that every day is a bit different and there's always a challenge."
For the record, Arniel was given a raise and his contract continues to have an out-clause that allows him to pursue an NHL opportunity, should one arise.
"I've had the out-clause all along," said Arniel. "As long as I'm under contract, everything has to go through (Canucks GM) Mike Gillis first. They'll know about it before I will and we've had a good conversation about it. They're not going to hold me back if it's something I want to do."
Arniel is considered to be one of the top up-and-coming coaches and his name is frequently mentioned when an NHL vacancy arises.
His focus is on helping the Moose bring home the first championship in franchise history, but Arniel feels he is getting closer to achieving his goal of becoming an NHL head coach.
"Until I get that job at the next level, I don't know if you can ever say if you're ready," said Arniel. "I'd like to think I'm real closer to being a guy who could coach at that level. I'm a lot more confident about my coaching abilities now."
As he has said since the first time his name was mentioned as a possibility in NHL circles, Arniel wants to be sure his first opportunity as a head coach at the next level is the right one.
"You have to be aligned with the right people and take a shot," said Arniel. "It's family first and situation-wise second have a lot to do with the reasons you take those jobs at the next level."
The Moose have compiled a record of 141-73-8-18 in Arniel's three seasons as head coach and have won the North Division title twice during that span.
"It's nice to have him back. It's really good for us and it's good for the organization," said Moose defenceman Nolan Baumgartner. "He knows his stuff and he knows how to apply it. He's a great coach."
HOOF PRINTS: The process of replacing Jay Wells as assistant coach is underway and Arniel is hoping to be able to make an announcement in the near future.
ken.wiebe@sunmedia.ca
