Newly hired head coach Dan Watson offers his vision for the Grand Rapids Griffins
On Thursday morning from Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Dan Watson met with the media for the first time as head coach of the Griffins.
Griffins GM Shawn Horcoff, who had announced his hiring a day earlier, introduced Watson. He noted that Watson's appointment comes at a pivotal moment, saying "It's obviously a very important time in our organization. With the young players that we have coming through but also the winning culture that we want to get back to here...Grand Rapids has always been a team and an organization that has challenged for championships, and it's something that we look forward to getting back to."
Horcoff also commended the passion and commitment to culture and development he's come to associate with Watson over their years working together. (Horcoff became Detroit's Director of Player Development in 2016.)
Watson opened his remarks by thanking the presser's attendees for joining him and noting that it was a special day for he and his family. He joked about having never seen a highlight compilation put together for a coach before.
Amidst a lengthy list of thank you's, the AHL's newest bench boss noted that he looks forward to building relationships with the Griffins' front office, saying that "it's important that everyone is involved in what we're trying to do...trying to build something special here in Grand Rapids once again."
Watson emphasized the importance of establishing a healthy locker room culture, which would in turn "bleed onto the ice." He said "That's what we're looking to do is build a positive learning environment where everyone's going to be at their best...The expectation inside the locker room is be yourself, and be yourself well."
He also discussed his desire to balance internal individual development with collective on-ice results. "It's about getting players better but also having the ability to win," said Watson. "It's a fine line you have to walk. You've got to be able to do both. We've done a really good job of that down [in Toledo, with the ECHL Walleye], and I'm looking forward to bringing that here [to Grand Rapids]."
In response to a testimonial from Griffins winger Tyler Spezia (whom Watson coached in Toledo) that he is "the best," Watson chuckled and said "I'm a players coach. I want to build a relationship with all these guys. I want them to know that I care about them personally. It's not just their hockey career; it's about them as individuals, as people, whether it's their family, themselves. That's what I care about. As long as you can do that, that's when you start to bring out the best in everybody."