Hitchcock lands on feet with Olys gig

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This article was published 09/02/2010 (6048 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VANCOUVER — Dismissed last Wednesday by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ken Hitchcock didn’t have to wait long to find meaningful work.

His country called, he answered and, by Monday, he was deep into Team Canada duties. Hitchcock was already on board to assist Olympic head coach Mike Babcock, but didn’t expect to be available until the Jackets’ final pre-Olympic game on Sunday.

When Columbus GM Scott Howson cut him loose "citing too much losing," the 58-year-old from Edmonton was happy he didn’t have time to mope.

"For me, I think the Olympics couldn’t have come at a better time," Hitchcock said over the phone. "I feel like they can get 100 per cent of my focus and I’m ready to go… I’m diving in."

Long days are nothing new to a hockey coach, especially a details guy like Hitch. Asked if he was putting together scouting reports on the opposition and/or creating games plans, it was all of the above and considerably more.

"Game plans, event viewing, schedule reviewing, observation of previous world championships, checklists of facilities, individual evaluation of other countries’ players, getting stuff back to Steve Yzerman and Mike and kind of co-ordinating with Hockey Canada," Hitchcock explained. "This is stuff that would have been done later in the week, or when we arrived. Now I’m able to dive into it and eliminate anxiety for when the coaches and players come in so we’re not scrambling.

"I think it’s going to be a lot more comforting to Steve and Mike to be able to have gone over this stuff."

Babcock and Hitchcock’s fellow Team Canada assistants Jacques Lemaire and Lindy Ruff all have three games remaining before the NHL shuts its doors for the Olympics. While Lemaire’s Devils and Ruff’s Sabres are in solid playoff positions, Babcock’s Red Wings find themselves in an unlikely situation teetering on the edge.

Anything Hitchcock can accomplish this week will be a gigantic help. Canada’s first game is Feb. 16 against Norway.

— Canwest News Service