From Boardwalk Bullies to Blackhawks
The 2003 Championship Boardwalk Bullies (Haviland far right).
Now that the season is over and the Chicago Blackhawks finally vanquished a determined Flyers team, I’m ready to give a shout out to Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Haviland of Middleton, NJ.
Mike Haviland
If that name sounds familiar to local hockey fans, it should. Haviland got his first head coaching experience at the helm of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, including taking them to the ECHL Championship in 2003.
The following year he took the Trenton Titans to the title and eventually moved to head coaching positions for the Blackshawks’ AHS teams in Norfolk (2005-07) and Rockford (2007-08). This was his second year as an assistant for the Blackhawks. There is speculation that he might be head coach material, especially now with a Stanley Cup on his resume.
Matter of fact, he has expressed interest in the Jersey Devils head coaching position. After the win last night he was asked about head coaching positions in New Jersey and with Atlanta and told the Newark Star-Ledger, “I’m ready. For sure I am. I spent a lot of years in the minors on a lot of teams that were successful. I’ve learned under Joel Quenneville for two years. I think you know when you’re ready as a head guy.”
Well Mike, as much as we appreciated your work with the Bullies, I draw the line when it comes to rooting for the Devils if you do get the job.
But congratulations for now … and by the way, how did you lose all the weight? You look terrific.
