Ralph Krueger met with Edmonton media Monday for the first time since being appointed head coach of the Oilers last spring. (CODIE McLACHLAN/QMI Agency)
EDMONTON - For Ralph Krueger, being named head coach of the Edmonton Oilers right before a lockout was like getting the keys to a brand new jet boat the same day the lake froze over for winter.
All you can do is stare at it. Dream about how fast it might be. Think about all the fun you could have with it. Wish you could take it out just once.
But you can’t. So it just sits there, all shiny and bright and full of promise.
Till now. Six months after being named head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, Krueger finally gets to start coaching the Edmonton Oilers.
The lockout is over and the ice is off the lake.
Gentleman, start your engine.
“Welcome,” grinned Krueger, meeting the media for the first time since the Oilers placed him in charge of their future last June. “To the 2013 season.”
He admits it wasn’t easy waiting this long for the moment to arrive, but has been around coaching long enough to know that adversity comes with the territory.
