The University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's hockey team awarded Lampman's Robin Ulrich the opportunity of a lifetime this winter.
Ulrich has taken over as the interim head coach of the Huskies for the 2016-17 season replacing Steve Kook, who is on a professional leave of absence. Ulrich previously served as an assistant coach under Kook from 2009 to 2014 and played with the Huskies from 2004 to 2009.
For the past two seasons, Ulrich helped out in a scouting opportunity for the Huskies as well as an eye in the sky at some home games and an individual outside the coaching staff who players could talk to. During this time, the former forward, defenceman and team captain worked as a physical education teacher and filled in as an athletic director at Lampman School.
“It took me a little bit to get my head into it,” said Ulrich, about being back behind a bench. “It's such a high-paced game where a lot of things are happening really quickly and you've got to make your decisions really quickly. So, it took me a little bit to get myself back into the game, but I'm really enjoying it so far.”
Ulrich worked with the Huskies defence during her time as an assistant. Her role included being in charge of matchups and ice time for players during games and helping work the player's individual and defensive skills at practices. She said the biggest difference between being an assistant coach and a head coach is all the decisions lie on her this season.
“We worked very well as a team with Steve as the head coach and he was always willing to take our input, but as a head coach that decision falls on your shoulders and at the end of the day you're the one that's accountable for everything,” said Ulrich, whose team sits fourth in the U Sports Canada West Conference with a record of 13-13. “Another piece would be as the assistant coach I was more of the jovial, laughing, joking around, bringing a little bit lighter atmosphere (figure) and as a head coach it's just a little more serious and a bit different role because the team will take on the persona of you. So, you just want to try to keep things a little more even keel.”
Ulrich said the job of a head coach includes anything and everything to do with the team. She said that starts with lots of video analysis of their game play and of individual players as well as their opposition, but it also goes as far as getting groceries to ensure their players have nutritional food and scheduling and ordering meals and hotels for road trips.
The relationship developed with Kook over her time as an assistant coach of the Huskies has helped Ulrich bring similar styles and ideas to the team, but she still has been able to change things up a bit systems wise. She said the team has responded well even though at times it has shown signs of a learning process.
“We had a great start beating two of the toughest teams in the conference in our first four games,” she said. “Got on a good streak in November, had a little blip at the end of November and came out of Christmas a little 50/50, but (Jan. 20 and 21) we played the number one ranked team in the country, UBC (University of British Columbia), and played them to an (overtime) loss and an OT win and we played really great. So, we're feeling really good about where we are.”
