Around the Horn04/25/2011 6:45 PM
'round the Horn with Coach Herman I wanted to create this weekly column as an insider on all the goings on and behind the scenes in the Rhino organization as we prepare for the 2011-2012 season. If someone was to tell me at the beginning of October that we would be in the finals in the National tournament, I would honestly say it was a pretty long shot. Sometimes when winning comes easy you don't appreciate it as much, I can honestly tell you that this season wasn't easy. However, I firmly believe if we would have not gone through what we did this year we wouldn't have gone as far as we did in Minnesota. I talked to a lot of people throughout the year and talked about how we had a good mix of players, mainly role players. Every team needs good role players, players that will step up in the play-offs or tight games, and I can tell you playing for this team is no picnic or country club. Being a Rhino isn't easy We have a very simple identity every year - Hard Work. We practice harder and more than most teams, and we train harder than any team off the ice. Players come here because of the success that we fortunately have had, but they don't realize the hard work and discipline that our players must exhibit and maintain throughout the season. Committment to Progress Every year we look at our organization and look to improve it. Last season we added the Training Center, half way through the season we added the Rhinos team bus. This season we have a new addition to our staff. As many of you know Trevor Converse has been with the Rhinos since day 1 as the chief recruiter and team architect, and I can honestly say if it wasn't for him we would not be where we are today, he has put together every Rhinos team. He recruits top players, but top people as well. Mike Earhart who worked with Trevor when he was the coach of the NAHL Lone Star Calvary will be joining the Rhinos this season. I believe Trevor is one of the best recruiters in the country, and Trevor thinks Mike is one of the best. Having two of the best recruiters in the country can't do anything but help us achieve all of the goals we have set as an organization. Mike Earhart "I want to continue to surround myself with the top coaches and organizations in the country.
El Paso is a first class organization, they not only take care of their staff but also, the kids are treated first class. These kids are able to utilize a state of the art training facility, including a hockey skating treadmill. The kids travel in style on the beautiful sleeper bus. They have the best fans in the country that pack the house on nightly basis, it is truly an awesome junior hockey experience. I have been involved with junior hockey now for twelve years and I can honestly say this is the best tier three organization in the country. I am very happy to be part of their staff and look to the many great seasons ahead." --
Michael Earhart Director of Player Personnel Bismarck Bobcats NAHL 2009-2010 National Robertson Cup Champion 218-316-1755 (Cell) www.Bismarckbobcats.com Reflection As I look back at the past five years and see what we as an organziation have accomplshed on and off the ice I can't help but be proud.
To make it to the national tournament finals in the first five years, draw the crowds that we do, receive the corporate sponsorships we do, and the community involvement (civic and military), it's pretty humbling. On the ice losing is something I will never accept, but I do believe everything happens for a reason. There are no excuses, the boys played their hearts out to the bitter end and we were beat by a better team. However, the season we went through (the most loses in Rhinos history), clinching first place the last regular season home game, winning the Midwest Conference, the fourth trip to nationals, making it to the final four, then to the national tournament championship game. Coming that close to winning it all and then seeing it given to someone else it makes you want it even more. If your a player, a coach, a recuiter, or anyone associated with the Rhino organization it creates a fire in you to work even harder because you have unfinished business So the 2011-12 season starts, and the goal of being the top junior organization in the country starts all over again. Thank you to the many many people behind the scenes, the Rhino fans, sponsors and supporters you are what makes the Rhinos one of the best. Coach Herman |
Browse by Month »
June 2020 May 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 June 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 |