Below is my conversation with Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins Forward Tristan Broz on University of Denver head coach David Carle. Broz played for Carle and won a National Championship with him, so I asked about the best coach in college and whether he'd go to the NHL someday.
Mike Fink: You mentioned Denver. I'm actually curious, David Carle, what do you think if he'd ever be a coach someday in the NHL or at a different level, do you think he'd be good at it?
Tristan Broz: I mean, I think the guy has more natural championships already than Herb Brooks in less time. Yeah, I think he'd be phenomainal at it when or if he ever decides to do that, but, you know, I think the loyalty he has to Denver is A) inspiring, and also, I think a lot of people maybe don't understand the full scope of it, so he's earned himself the right to be able to pick, when, and if he wants to go, and, the NHL coaching cycle can be pretty viciousicious with just guys that have been fired recently, and even this Denver team that had a 6-7 game losing streak in the middle of the year, and he preaches about that, and it's true that those are the times when you grow. So I think it's gonna have to be the right opportunity for him where they're going to be able to be perennial contenders and yeah, he's not going to just jump on any ship because he has something great going at Denver, and, I think he wants to cement that legacy even more and pull away from any other teams and national titles so that when he does leave, there's a big gap for other teams to catch up. But yeah, when he does make that jump, I have no doubt will be very successful, and it'll be fun to follow him for sure.
Fink: Thank you. Actually, I haven't talked to someone from Denver before about him. But yeah, that was on my mind for a bit. He's dominant in college, right?
Broz: It's fascinating. What job is like, he's not going to jump on a job until it's a team that's like, he can take that roster that year next year. He's too competitive and also to get the right ownership and GM in place that are going to help him get his guys and do it his way, and build a program because it can be.
Fink: There are a lot of teams that a coach like him would get hired for a rebuilding team, like a Chicago or something, and do you really want to coach there?
Broz: No, exactly, yeah. That's the thing. Why would he leave this spot? He is too young and has three young kids now. He gets paid well there. The story is insane. Denver honored his scholarship and stuff. That kind of loyalty is for the game. It's going to be hard to break, and I don't think he'll leave until he still wants more than the national title. It's different, to keep building on the lead that Denver now has
Fink: It's fascinating because coaches were very successful in college, not just in hockey, but in any sport and same thing, I mean, hockey, Dale Hunter is also successful at London, you see the coach and you're like, do they want to go there? Are they just happy where they are?
Broz: Well, it's just a matter of the situation. San Jose in a couple of years when they're really ready to win one like a team, going there, but he's not just going to jump up with. He's too competitive; he's in the right place.
Fink: I've talked to a bunch of coaches in this league, and it's fascinating where coaches are from, and what the strengths of some backgrounds provide.
Broz: Yeah, I mean, it's definitely different when you follow. He is honestly sharp. I think he could be one of the best two or three coaches in the NHL, if not the best. He's already cemented his legacy with the same number of national titles as Herb Brooks.
Fink: I appreciate chatting with you!