Mann finds home in Kingston with Frontenacs
Coaching in hockey rarely comes with much job security. Troy Mann knows that better than most after spending much of his career working his way through the professional and junior ranks.
Now, after two seasons behind the Kingston Frontenacs bench, Mann has some more stability. Along with general manager Kory Cooper, he signed a multi-year contract extension last week to stay with the Frontenacs.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time in Kingston,” Mann said. “It feels great to know that you’re going to be here for a couple more years.”
Mann, who spent several seasons coaching in the American Hockey League with the Belleville Senators and Hershey Bears, remains open to opportunities in professional hockey.
But for now, his focus is Kingston.
"That’s not to say that something in the NHL or whatever may come. You’re always looking to go to the highest league," Mann said. "But certainly, the fact that I spent enough time in the American League, it’d be nice to win in the OHL and enjoy more time here."
His relationship with Cooper also played a role in his decision. They previously worked together in Belleville, where Mann was head coach and Cooper was part of the Senators goaltending and development staff.
Mann also pointed to the support and leadership of president and governor Doug Springer and the way he runs the organization as factors.
The Frontenacs began their regular season with a pair of divisonal wins defeating the Peterborough Peters and Ottawa 67's.
Mann has led Kingston to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons with the club. The next challenge is finding the balance between developing the Frontenacs’ telented young roster and competing for a championship.
"We’re talking to the players all the time about winning," Mann said. "There’s a fine line between developing and winning, and we’re on the younger side."
That balance has become more difficult to manage in the modern Canadian Hockey League, Mann said, with players having more opportunities to move on collegiately and professionally earlier.
"Years ago, you could make a four-year plan," he said. "Now you can’t because you just don’t know when your players are going to leave because they have that option now, and the power’s in their hands."
For Mann, the extension provides a chance to continue to build in Kingston with a group he believes can grow together.
"Hopefully we can keep developing, and at the end of the day, give ourselves a chance to win."
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