Hamilton Courting Habby

If Bruce Hamilton had it his way, it would be a done deal.
The Kelowna Rockets GM has likely broken bread more than once with Marc Habscheid, bringing up the issues of him taking over the head coaching duties for a second time.
The fact that Habscheid is hanging out in the Okanagan this week as his son attends hockey school, makes it even more convenient!
For Bruce Hamilton the conversation with Habscheid this summer must bring back memories of when the two were discussing his possible return to junior hockey in the spring of 2000. Hamilton was calling on Habscheid to join the coaching staff after relieving Clint Malarchuk of his duties. Habscheid was still feeling the sting of leading the Kamloops Blazers to the WHL finals in 1998-99, but not having his contract renewed.
At the time Habscheid was in the drivers seat, and really had no interest of quickly get back into the coaching racket. He had heard that Hamilton was a hands on GM, maybe to hands on, and was a little leery of joining the Rockets unless Hamilton backed off! He'd come to Kelowna, but only on the condition that he would have the say on the player development side of the hockey club. Habscheid wanted to coach, but wanted to coach a certain way, with a certain type of player. It was tough for Hamilton to agree too, but he took a leap of faith that day by letting Habscheid run the team the way he wanted too, and the rest is history.
If Habscheid comes back and assumes the coaching duties again in Kelowna, he will again resume full control while padding his bank account at the same time. Will it match the salary he got at the NHL level with Boston? Potentially, and why not? Habscheid filled the pockets of Hamilton to overflowing with cold, hard cash during his time in K-Town with playoff runs that went well into April, and three times into the month of May.
Count it up.
At 16 bucks a ticket x 6100 fans in the building, Hamilton can turn a profit of just under 100,000 bucks per game. A Rockets win in post season, in front of a full house put a smile on Hamilton's face for more reasons than just winning.
Let's just say that right now Marc Habscheid is like real estate in the Okanagan...a good investment.
Rumor has it Habscheid still has a home in Kelowna, making the sales pitch by Hamilton even that much easier. The old saying, 'the home is where the heart is' may just be enough for Habscheid to consider moving back to the Okanagan for a second time.
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Congrats to Kelowna Rockets d-man Tyler Myers for making the U.S Under 18 Select Team roster. Myers is one of just two WHL players to make the squad.