With crowds and his team’s fortunes on the up, Omar Pacha is satisfied with the trajectory of the Dundee Stars.
Adding player duties to his general manager and head coach workload wasn’t in the plan but the 31-year-old can see things coming together on and off the ice.
And a fourth home win in a row against the Guildford Flames this evening, coupled with another big home support to cheer it, will keep the multi-tasking Montreal man happy.
Entry for children to the Dundee Ice Arena is just £1, with the total from that initiative going to the Tay FM charity Cash for Kids.
Pacha has tried out a few new ideas which have contributed to attendances soaring by over 10% and, with more to come, he believes the potential of the club is a long way from being reached.
“Compared to last year our attendances are growing and growing,” he said.
“People are seeing how good this league is. It’s one of the best in Europe. We’re getting players who have played in the NHL (the National Hockey League in North America).
“We’re trying different ways to grab new fans.
“We’re up about 10 to 15%. And that’s with a slow start.
“You can see everything growing, which is exciting. We play 31 home games. Every week of the season there’s a home game and this is the number one indoor sport.”
Pacha added: “It certainly helps when you beat top teams like Cardiff, Belfast and Manchester.
“Our goalie Travis Fullerton is playing really well. We have one of the best defencemen in the league – Riley Stadel. Gabriel Levesque is playing well up front.
“Injuries hurt us at the start of the season. And after arriving in the summer there were a lot of things I wanted to do on and off the ice.
“We had to make a few roster changes.
“But in the last three games we’ve done really well.
“And it’s been without our best player – Chris Lawrence. He’s out until Christmas. Lose your best player in any sport and it will hurt you.
“We’re weathering the storm and when he comes back he’ll be a real asset to our team. Hopefully we’ll be in the middle of the pack when that happens.”
It wasn’t in the Pacha masterplan that he would end up coming out of retirement to help deal with an early-season injury crisis but it has proved to be the right call.
“I had a word with myself,” he joked. “It was a long word!
“I just saw the injuries. I felt I could help out for a few weeks and we still have some guys out now.
“So far it’s been alright. I’ve played every game since I came in, which has been about 10.
“It’s time consuming because on top of growing the Stars and the coaching I’ve now got to train as well.
“It wasn’t like I was out for three years, though. I retired in the summer so essentially I missed the first 10 games of the season.
“I didn’t want to bring in someone who wouldn’t help us. It’s gone well but I’m looking forward to getting guys back.
“If we keep doing well there will be healthy competition when everyone comes back. But in my mind the coach and the GM should be behind the bench.”
Pacha has praised his players for taking the change in team dynamic in their stride.
He said: “They still call me ‘coach’ but on the ice I’m ‘Pach’.
“I think I’ve got the respect of the guys because they know I have the best interests of the team.
“It’s been alright because everybody has been able to tell the difference between the player and the coach, which is the toughest bit. I’m lucky to have a group that’s been good with that.
“When it comes to analysing games, you have to be straightforward. With this generation of athletes you can’t just scream at a person. You have to explain to them and be able to back it up with facts. The players respect that.”
Stars lost 3-2 after overtime when Flames last visited and they are currently 10th out of 12 in the Elite League table.
“The aim is to stay in the middle of the pack just now,” said Pacha.
“Right now, with all the injuries, the new players and the toughest schedule of any team in the league, we’re four points off a play-off spot.
“That’s a really good position after everything we’ve been through. Let’s go forward now.
“Sheffield and Cardiff have won the league in the last couple of years and didn’t have the best starts.
“It’s about building momentum. The big thing for me is the process. If you do things right every single day you get better and better and then you start peaking. I’m hoping we peak at the end of the season.”
