There are several reasons why Dean Brockman chose Ryan Keller and Bryce Thoma to join him behind the Saskatoon Blades bench this season, but one stood out above the rest.
“There’s so many things but if I could sum it up in one word, I think it’s ‘character,’” Brockman said.
READ MORE: Saskatoon Blades name new head coach as Bob Woods returns to the NHL
Keller and Thoma have a few other things in common, including the fact that the bridge city is their home.
“It’s exciting to come in and see the logo on the wall again and you kind of get that feeling back of when I was playing here, and even growing up watching here,” Keller explained.
“It’s an exciting day for me and I’m very happy to be a part of the Blades organization.”
“With Ryan (Keller) being a forward and me being a ‘d’ our job – part and parcel – is to try and help those guys get better and be the best players they can be at their position, so hopefully the team can be competing for a playoff spot,” Thoma said.
The Blades new bench boss filled out his staff on Wednesday with the addition Keller and Thoma as assistant coaches, both of whom were born and raised in Saskatoon.
“For us I thought it was important to try and build the culture around guys that were going to be here for a while, guys that were going to care about the Blades,” Brockman said.
READ MORE: Saskatoon Blades sign top prospect Kirby Dach
The new hires have taken very different paths to get here. Thoma spent the past three seasons as head coach and general manager of the SJHL’s Weyburn Red Wings.
Prior to that, he learned the WHL ropes as an assistant coach for the Red Deer Rebels, where he played as a junior.
“I’ve been out for three years but at the same time I don’t think it’s something that really changes. Having that experience I think helps,” Thoma said.
READ MORE: Former Saskatoon Blade Ryan Keller retires from professional hockey
Keller is making his coaching debut with the same team he once played for, having recently retired after an 11-year pro career.
“You know for me I think I have a lot to offer here, even x’s-and-o’s-wise and stuff like that, playing for some good coaches in the last few years, and then not being that far removed from playing I think I can relate to the players and understand where they’re at and what they’re going through,” Keller said.
Now the pair will try to help steer the Blades back to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. There’s a lot of work ahead, but Brockman is confident he has the right men for the job.
“How they act, how they perform, how they talk to you, how they want this team to win, that’s all a part of the equation and to come down to these two guys, I’m very fortunate.”
Ryan Flaherty contributed to this story