Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – With Michael Peca and Mike Weber leaving the Rochester Americans to join NHL teams this offseason, along with director of player development Adam Mair not able to attend, the Buffalo Sabres needed some on-ice coaching help at this year's Development Camp.
LISTEN LIVE TO WGR:
The NHL Coaches’ Association has an initiative to increase diversity in the league, so enter Chelsea Walkland, Troy Thibodeau and Shelly Picard.
Picard is currently an assistant coach for Long Island University’s women’s team. In her playing days, Picard won an Olympic Silver Medal with Team USA in 2014.
Thibodeau is an assistant coach with the men’s team at Dartmouth University, while Walkland, a Pittsford native, is an assistant with the women’s team at Colgate University.
Seth Appert isn’t hesitating to incorporate all three of these coaches in the drills, as they were all running drills and doing a lot of coaching.
Walkland is the hometown girl from Rochester, so being here this week is a dream come true.
"It’s pretty surreal, and the family are die hard Sabres fans and Rochester Amerks fans," said Walkland following Wednesday's practice. "We were invited, and to see how first class and welcoming it’s been, I keep having to pinch myself when I look around and take it all in."
Before she knew she was coming to Buffalo this week, she got a call she didn’t expect.
"I’m a long-time Buffalo Sabres fan, and I get a missed call from Adam Mair. I’m like, 'What is he calling me for?' So I jumped on that, and it’s an opportunity I wouldn't be able to pass up."
Thibodeau has been coaching longer than the other two, but this is still a huge experience for him.
"As young coaches, we like getting into this, because you’re always trying to learn and have new experiences," said Thibodeau following Wednesday's practice session. "Just to be around Kevyn Adams, 'Donny' Granato and Seth Appert, and all these development guys, it’s an unbelievable experience.
"They’ve brought us in, and we’re not just flies on the wall. They’re including us in everything, and it’s been a lot of fun."
Picard also used the word "surreal" to describe her week.
"There’s so many moments, whether it’s at breakfast or just chatting hockey. I’ve just learned so much throughout this week," she said following Wednesday's skate.
These coaches are learning so many things, and Walkland said her head coach with the Red Raiders, Greg Fargo, had a message for her:
"Steal everything," Walkland said with a laugh.
“We’ve been fortunate to have some success over the past couple of years, and you don’t know what to expect. But a lot of what we’ve done at Colgate and what resonates here is the environment that they’ve created here for this program where players can come in, be themselves and be appreciated right off the hop. That’s something we try to preach, and when you create an environment like that, that’s when people can do their best work."
Becky Hammon was acting head coach of the San Antonio Spurs when Greg Popovich got ejected from an NBA game in 2020. More women have gotten opportunities to be assistants in the NBA, and Picard sees opportunities coming in hockey for women to move up the ladder.
"Female coaches are putting the work in and being as qualified. I think the NHL is open-minded to that, and just being around the Sabres, they’re looking for the best people whether they’re male or female," Picard said. "If female coaches are ready for that, and they absolutely are, there are a lot of exciting opportunities for women coaches coming up here."
The Sabres wrap up Development Camp on Thursday with a 3-on-3 tournament at Harborcenter starting at 9:15 a.m. ET.
