McLean a perfect fit for Falcons
When St. Catharines Falcons coach/general manager Frank Girhiny went looking to fill out his coaching staff this season, one of the first calls he made was to Chris McLean.
Girhiny was familiar with McLean from their time together in Thorold, where Girhiny helped recruit McLean to be part of the 2005 Sutherland Cup champion Blackhawks.
“I’ve known him for quite a long time. He was coaching minor hockey and played at this level and played for Brock and went to a national championship,” Girhiny said. “He’s got some good pedigree when it comes to winning.
“I knew him as a player and he gave it 100 per cent every time he was on the ice and he’s a good character guy.”
McLean was flattered by the call but took a little time to consider the offer — he and his wife Lauren are parents of a newborn — and decided to join Girhiny behind the bench.
“It helped knowing Frank and having that relationship,” McLean said. “I was kind of debating whether I should jump in this year but I figured it would be a nice fit as the next step. It was the right progression to take.”
McLean was put in charge of the defence, the same position he manned for the Hawks and then for four seasons with Brock.
“He was a defenceman and I was looking for someone and made a call and we talked. I know him and he knows me and my mannerisms,” Girhiny added.
McLean’s experience and calm demeanour have been invaluable behind the bench.
“He’s a strong competitor,” Girhiny said. “He has the perfect mix to be a real good head coach sooner rather than later.”
McLean, who works for the Niagara Catholic District School Board as a consultant, K-12 health and physical ed convenor, got into coaching as a natural extension of teaching.
“Coaching has always been a passion,” the 35-year-old native of Sarnia said. “I had a few guys reach out to me and I started coaching and built some relationships. Coaches have put in time to me and I have a passion to deliver the message I learned over the years playing hockey. As you get older, you learn more.
“I’m a teacher for a reason. I love helping kids learn and giving them that opportunity to excel and hopefully get to a level that they’re satisfied win. Either you have passion for it or you don’t.”
McLean coached at the AAA level for a decade before taking the job with the Falcons.
“It is definitely different. You don’t have to worry about guys in the dressing room. They’re older and they take care of themselves. That responsibility and the time you put into that is a little less,” he said. “You put that into more of a mature relationship. You’re working on their schooling and providing that guidance for them.
“Teaching is teaching. You’re always helping them and there’s a lot of skills still. In junior B, kids still are working on it.”
McLean said he learned a lot about leadership and what it took to win from his season in Thorold.
“I learned a lot from some of the players who went on to other levels how focused and determined they were and how good the leadership was,” he said. “They held everyone accountable. It was all about winning, it was all about the team winning.”
McLean is happy he took Girhiny up on his offer.
“It’s definitely something I want to continue to do. If you love what you do, you’re always going to find a way to be around it.”
The Falcons, fresh off a four-game sweep over the Welland Junior Canadians, will take on the Hamilton Kilty B’s in the semifinals. Game 1 is Friday, March 15 at St. Catharines.
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