We're into the second half of the hockey season, and the push for the playoffs begin!

I’m Jim Playfair?

Written by: admin on 31st March 2010

I'm Jim Playfair? | read this item

The AHL has long been a breeding ground for the hockey stars of tomorrow as it gives fresh professionals a few years to hone their craft before taking their show to the NHL. Saturday March 27^th, a new star in the AHL was born.

Ladies and gentleman meet Jim Playfair, the world’s newest Youtube Sensation.

Playfair is the head coach of the Abbotsford Heat and he was less then pleased to learn his player J.D. Watt had just received a charging penalty and a game misconduct for his run-in with Hamilton Bulldogs goalie Cedric Desjardins.

Playfair quickly decided the best way to voice his displeasure to referee Jamie Koharski – son of NHL ref Don – was to launch into a tirade usually reserved for 3 year olds or baseball managers. Hockey coaches don’t usually go Hulk Hogan on referees, they tend to save that for the aforementioned baseball managers, but Playfair decided to give the crowd a show.

Now there’s a certain “Coaching blow-up checklist” that must be adhered to for any coach or manager deciding to go Ron Burgundy on an official, so let’s see how Jimmy did.

1.Equipment Abuse. This is as essential to any coaching blow-up as Las Vegas cocktail waitresses are to a dude’s night with Tiger Woods. You can’t have a solid coaching blow-up without smashing or throwing equipment. Baseball managers and players tend to go Mike Tyson on the Gatorade cooler with a bat. With no Gatorade cooler in sight, Jimmy decided sticks were the best way to go. Now it’s important you don’t approach this equipment abuse with a half-hearted effort, because, after all “YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!” Jimmy didn’t disappoint as he had so much fun destroying one stick, he went back for a second, even switching things up with a two-handed swinging motion for stick number two. Big time points for variety.

2.Clothing must be thrown or ripped. In baseball this one is easy as managers have hats, which are ideal for throwing, so Jimmy had to improvise a bit. Summoning his inner Hulk-a-maniac, Jimmy rips his suit jacket wide open stretching his tie in the process. He is left looking like a 14 year old trying to tie his tie for the first time. He definitely gets double points for destroying two articles of clothing in one pull.

3.Unintentional Comedy. Seeing grown men throw temper tantrums usually reserved for three year olds in grocery store aisles is always entertaining, but it’s important for each tantrum thrower to make it their own! Jimmy achieves this with his awkward attempt to climb onto the bench to smash the sticks. Despite falling into his players lap once, he remains persistent and eventually is able to rest his lead leg on the boards for one final stick smash. Just teaching the kids out there a lesson; never give up! Jimmy having the last name Playfair after this escapade is like someone on the Leafs having the last name Playoffs, it just doesn’t fit! During the video check out the player to Playfair’s left, as he attempts, very unsuccessfully, to stifle his laughter by placing his glove over his mouth. Um awkward…..

4.Awkward Aftermath. It’s always great when these coaches steadfastly disagree with any criticism levelled their way following the tirade. My favourite quote from Playfair the next day was “It’s not to the point where it’s embarrassing.” Um, What? You went Hulk Hogan on your suit and tie. You smashed two different three hundred dollar hockey sticks and spewed an excessive amount of obscenities towards the ref. This was all captured on a video broadcast in front of a packed arena in Abbotsford. And now the best part, it was the first Minor Hockey Appreciation Night for the Heat with hundreds of youth hockey players in attendance! Come On Jimmy! That registers just above calling your ex-girlfriend, who is engaged, from the curb after the bar and singing State of Shock “Best I Ever Had” into the phone every weekend on the embarrassment meter!

All this adds up to Jim acing the “Coaching Blow-up Checklist” and teaching all the kids out there that essential life lesson, If you can’t be good at something, be crazy instead!

For OpenIceHockey, I’m the Intramural All-Star, Dane Belbeck

Topics: Abbottsford Heat, AHL, Jim Playfair

Tweets that mention I’m Jim Playfair? says:

March 31, 2010 at 2:58 pm

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Scott Vankoughnett, Jesse Michael. Jesse Michael said: I'm Jim Playfair? http://tinyurl.com/yc2qvwv [...]

Latest Headlines

In The News

Sarnia’s Kujawinski ready for U-17 Hockey Challenge

Sarnia’s Kujawinski ready for first taste of international competition at the U-17 Hockey Challenge, competing with Team Ontario at the end of the month in Windsor, Ontario