Given all the upheaval around the club in recent times, Glasgow Clan fans could be forgiven for wondering just what to expect when they file into the Braehead Arena tomorrow evening for the first home game of the campaign.
It has been another summer of change on and off the ice, with media mogul Michael O’Rourke becoming the new owner of the franchise and the arena, and appointing a new coaching team led by Jason Morgan, who also takes on the role of head of hockey operations.
In his playing days, Morgan was drafted by the LA Kings and went on to turn out for a further four NHL sides but it is perhaps what the 46 year-old has done since hanging up the stick that makes him most appealing to Glasgow.
The Canadian has coached extensively across Europe, taking charge of sides in Hungary, Romania, Poland, Denmark, and, most recently, in Germany where he was head coach of Heilbronner Falken.
It has been a frantic summer for Morgan since his appointment at the end of May as he looked to pull together a roster of players who will be once again expected to compete for at least a place in the end-of-season EIHL playoffs.
Fans will get a glimpse of just how ready the team is for that challenge when Belfast Giants are the visitors for the first home game of pre-season, with the teams completing the doubleheader across the water tomorrow evening.
Morgan is still learning himself about the players he has recruited but he sounded an optimistic note about the season ahead.
“I’m pleased to be here in what is a period of transition and a new time for the organisation,” he said. “I’ve not met Mr O’Rourke in person yet but he wants to build that family culture around the club that I’m used to and that I expect.
“Having someone like that who supports you from the top all the way down, and gives you the resources to have success, has been really important.
“I’ve heard nothing about great things about the fanbase and now I’m experiencing it first-hand in the support you feel around the city. You can tell how passionate they are to support the team, even after going through some tough seasons here. So hopefully we can reward them for that backing.
“The recruiting process [of the squad] happened fairly quickly but smoothly. I was able to recruit the type and style of players that fit with what we’re trying to build here in Glasgow. We started a little bit later in the off-season than some of the other teams but I thought it went well.
“Getting feedback from some people at Cardiff [at last weekend’s pre-season trip] they definitely think we’ll be a team to contend with. That’s our goal – to compete for all three trophies this year. What the Purple Army can expect on a night in, night out basis is a competitive team that works hard and plays hard for each other.
“We want a team that will never give up. That’s a mindset I’ve tried to create throughout my coaching career and I’ve had success doing that.”
Given his peripatetic playing and coaching career, it is perhaps little surprise that Morgan is a man who can put down roots quickly and get on with things. He has taken quickly to Glasgow and its surrounds after some early red tape difficulties.
“We had the transition from Germany and my son had a delay in his visa situation so had to go back to Canada for a bit,” explains the man originally from St John’s in Newfoundland. “Now that’s all sorted and the family is all settled in our new home. But I’m used to all this. I’ve been living over here [in Europe] since I went to Hungary in 2015 and had stints in Poland, Denmark, Romania and Germany.
“So wherever I’ve been coaching we’ve made our home. That’s allowed me to acclimate to the city and it gives you more passion for the city when you live here and belong to the area.
“I’m loving Scotland although I’ve been told the recent nice weather was a bit uncharacteristic for this time of year! I’m living in a small suburb outside of Glasgow and it’s perfect. I’ve got three dogs so it’s great to take them along the trails alongside the Clyde and discover more of the city.”
Ice hockey is not the only sport to feature at Braehead of late, with the new owner evidently keen to maximise its potential as a venue. It means Morgan and his players have had to go elsewhere to finetune their pre-season preparations but the new head coach insists it hasn’t been too much of an inconvenience ahead of the home opener.
“We’ve been coming to the rink every day but not getting on the ice until the day of the opening game,” he adds. “But that’s helped to bring the team closer together, too. We’re always together, on the bus or eating lunch together, so that helps with the bonding. But it’s an exciting time for us all to finally be able to get on the ice and play in front of our own fans.”
