We Learn from the Very Best: Enjoy Our Interview with Coach Bill Moores
By Steffany Hanlen

What are your career highlights?

Mr. Moores: "While 6 CIS National Championships and 1 Japanese National Championship immediately come to mind, 3 of those being head coach, what really comes to mind when I consider the highlights of my career, are the relationships that I have developed over the years. Of all of the players that I have coached, and students I have taught over the years, there are very few that I would not truly enjoy having a conversation with. I have enjoyed the players and students that I have worked with so far, and look forward to all of the new ones that I am yet to coach."

What characteristics do you look for in a promising hockey player?

• A Strong Work Ethic
• Passion
• Enthusiasm
• Receptiveness to Coaching - "What am I doing better today than yesterday?" Ability to Co-operate. Co-operation has to come before competition.

In your opinion, what is missing today in the growth and development of hockey players?

Mr. Moores hesitated before answering this question Mr. Moores: "Young players today are stronger, faster, bigger, have more skills and more opportunities than ever before. Without passing judgement, what I notice about the young players today, is, unfortunately, less passion and enthusiasm. I remember when I was young and we had one hour of icetime per week. We couldn't wait to get on the ice! I don't know exactly what the cause is, but I don't see the same enthusiasm in many of the players today I don't hear it in their voice"

Is there anything else that you would like to pass along to our players?

Mr. Moores: "The earlier you take personal responsibility for your own development and your own success, the more successful you will become." SH: "This is where self-awareness comes in. When you focus on the details and take responsibility for your own actions, you are never at the affect of anybody else or their decisions."

What are your favorite motivational sayings?

• "It is amazing how much can be accomplished when no-one cares who gets the credit." - John Wooden
• "If you don't consciously create good habits, then you unconsciously create bad ones." - John Wooden
• "If you think you can, or you think you can't you're right." - Yogi Berra "You get what you insist on." - Bill Moores

Insights

Near the conclusion of our interview, our conversation became more casual. At one point, Coach Moores challenged the concept of the effectiveness of traditional, "One Week" hockey or power skating schools. He was quite surprised and delighted to hear that we were in agreement with his comments.

When we explained our concept of T + P = S, 3 weeks over 3 months, process-oriented program, called QUANTUM SPEED, he was pleasantly surprised that someone else had challenged their own industry's comfort zone, and took a chance on doing what we believe works for players.

We were so proud to have such an admired coach and person see our vision of what we believe works, and be so supportive.

"The more I train, the more I realize I have more speed in me." --Leroy Burrell

What do you love about coaching?

Mr. Moores: "I love helping people reach their potential. I believe that my strength is to challenge people and encourage them to be the best that they can be. When people are achieving, most times they are happy."

What is your favorite...

Hockey Movie: Slapshot,
Hockey Song: The Hockey Song

Who is your inspiration and why?

Clare Drake....(Mr. Moores played for Mr. Drake for 1 year at the UofA, and then coached with him for 12 years. He was, and still is, a mentor and a friend.) He learned from Mr. Drake:

• Attention to detail
• Preparedness in all things
• The ability to handle people.....Mr. Moores never heard Mr. Drake swear in the dressing room. However, Coach Moores hasn't taken all of Coach Drake's advice...he has been known to use stronger language, if it gets the point across!

Why do you do what you do?

Mr. Moores: "I love the game. I enjoy working with people. Coaching is another form of teaching, which I enjoy as well. While I still could be happy teaching Junior High, because I found it gratifying, I had to practice what I preached. I had to model the behaviour that I was asking from my students and players. So, I challenged my comfort zone, took the UofA coaching job, and then went to Japan to work with the Kokudo Team and the Japanese National Team.

I then had the opportunity to work for the New York Rangers, before coming back to Edmonton to work with the Oilers. I believe that I am suited for what I do.

I enjoy challenging people's comfort zones to help them achieve their potential."

Why do you think that you are so respected in this profession?

Mr. Moores: (Humbly stated...) "I don't know if I can own that statement. But, looking at it from the outside, I would have to say that it may be because wherever I am, I am there 100%. For example, while I am here, doing this interview, this is exactly where I want to be, and what I focus on for the entire hour that I am here."

"I also believe that you get back what you give out, and I try to always be respectful in my dealings with people.

One of the most difficult days of my life was in 1984 when we decided to cut 5 returning players from the UofA Golden Bears. While I did not believe that they were reaching their potential and trying to improve themselves every day, it was still difficult to let them go. I tried to leave all of them with their dignity, and respectfully let them go.

As a result, we had a competitive team for the next five years, and this set the tone for our respected program where players did not take their spot on the team for granted. Eventually, all of the players that I cut came to my office to thank me, but at the time, it felt like it was the end of the world for them, and I understood that."

SH: "Why we think that you are respected is that you are a real guy. You never hold yourself above anyone else, or hold yourself 'better than.' As people following in your footsteps, the players that Vanessa and I get to work with are the beneficiaries of your values and your wisdom."

If you could do anything else as a career, what would it be?

Mr. Moores: "I grew up wanting to be a Phys. Ed teacher. I did this for many years, and could still be happy as a teacher today. In challenging my comfort zone, I have found that coaching, as another form of teaching, is what I am suited for. I don't want to retire, because I love doing what I do. I'd like to improve my golf game though, and possibly eventually get into personal coaching."

Thank you Coach Moores for sharing your insights and a little bit of who you are... you are proof that 'nice guys finish first'

Steffany Hanlen is skating coach extrordinaire.For more than 20 years Steffany has been a full time power skating coach. Steffany is one of the first skating coaches to be hired by an NHL team, she worked with the Edmonton Oilers for 9 years beginning in 1991 and is currently with the St. Louis Blues organization. She has developed her skating program called Quantum Speed(TM) a three week... over three month... skating program. Steffany trains skating instructors and apprentices in the skills and business of running successful Quantum Speed skating camps. http://www.quantumspeed.ca e-mail info@quantumspeed.ca

Steffany Hanlen is a motivational Speaker and athletic performance coach http://www.steffanyhanlen.com she is currently working with world class figure skaters, ball room dancers, and bi-athletes.

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