Tyler Gjurich makes transition from ECHL scoring leader to coach of Elmira River Sharks
The first regular-season game in Elmira River Sharks history will come on the road against the Binghamton Black Bears at 7 p.m. Oct. 14. It's the perfect setting to kick off the coaching career of River Sharks head coach Tyler Gjurich.
Gjurich, 31, is making the transition from player to coach with Elmira's fledgling Federal Prospects Hockey League team.
The native of Hatfield, Pennsylvania, played in the FPHL for Binghamton and Elmira and last season while with Binghamton became the all-time leading goal-scorer in league history with 299, topping the 296 of former Elmira Enforcers player/coach Ahmed Mahfouz.
Gjurich spoke about the opportunity and the River Sharks during Media Day on Oct. 11 at First Arena in Elmira.
Question: Your thoughts on being involved with Elmira hockey again as a coach?
Answer: Obviously I’m very excited to get this opportunity. This is my first year coaching. So far it’s been great. The week or so we’ve been here I’ve had a great group of guys. We’re very excited to get this going.
Q: What is your message to the fan base?
A: We know they’re a knowledgeable fan base and we want to put a good product on the ice. I think they’re going to be very pleased with what we do this year.
Q: What is your message to the players?
A: They know the message, we go over it every day. Just be a relentless group. We preach the same things every day and they’re all buying into it, which is great. Good group of young guys. Couple older guys, but it’s very exciting to have these guys here.
Q: What are some of the team's strengths?
A: We’re going to have a good culture. They kind of bonded together very well right off the bat. I think that’s great. We had our preseason game just to kind of get into it. We had a good week of camp and now we know the real season is starting. I think we’re a very close-knit group so far.
Q: What do you want to see from the team on the ice?
A: I just want them to play their game. If they all play their game and buy into what we’re preaching every day, I think we’ll be great. And they are all buying into it. That’s why they’re all here. I’m very excited and I’m glad they’ve been the way they’ve been for my first year coaching.
Q: What was behind the decision to take the job as coach?
A: We have a good ownership group. I’ve worked with them before. He kind of gave me the blessing to build the team as we need and I’m confident with what we’re doing here. I played for 10 years, so it’s kind of pass it along and let these guys have fun and play and give all my knowledge I’ve had over the years to them.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Tyler Gjurich discusses opportunity to coach Elmira River Sharks
