With the hockey season starting up, the team was in need of a new assistant coach to support the varsity team. To fulfill this need, Coach Chris McNair has been selected to assume the role during the upcoming season.
McNair’s hockey career started when he was a kid, at the age of 11. He played for Enfield until high school, and afterwards, he wanted to play for the Enfield high school team. He was cut his freshman year, but that didn’t end his determination. Later, he went on to be a captain for three years, while he was a sophomore, junior, and senior. He was even named an all-state player in his senior year.
After high school, McNair went on to join the marines in college, but his love for the game of hockey was far from over. He has been coaching youth hockey for four years and has now decided to join the South Windsor High School hockey team.
“My trust in Coach McNair is very high,” Head Coach Nick Gionfriddo said. “He consistently communicates well and has a clear vision. He’ll help build the group by setting standards, developing players, and making sure everyone knows their role.”
McNair wants to create a better culture and atmosphere for the team, shifting the environment exhibited in previous years. He plans to really challenge his players this season to make them become the best version of themselves, taking their game play to the next level. He also wants to keep his players motivated and happy throughout the season, so they have an incentive to show up and perform well at practices and games.
“Coach McNair brings good energy and sets a good mindset for us this season,” senior hockey player Josh Willoughby said.
This year, his main goal will be to help the team win 8 games and try to qualify for the CCC and the state tournaments. Last year, the team was 3-17, because they had had a rough time collaborating with each other as a team. This year, Coach McNair is much more focused on developing team morale and helping the team work together as one.
McNair also wants his players to develop better hockey IQ, and this can happen by developing more confidence and integrity, on and off the ice. He plans to do this by leading by various examples, creating a culture on the team that rewards hard work and making the right choices by fertile success. He is confident that if the team does these things, they will succeed.
