Like many of the players he is coaching, Dave Daniello is a long, long way from home.
That’s not unusual in hockey, a sport where players often leave home as teenagers to chase their dreams. But why would a coach from Rockland, Maine, see Vancouver as a land of opportunity?
“The opportunity to build a program from scratch. We get to do it the way we want. And I like that,” Daniello said.
The head coach and general manager for the Vancouver Rangers is busy doing just that. A new member of the Western States Hockey League, the Rangers began practicing Aug. 25 at Mountain View Ice Arena for a season that begins with home games Sept. 18 and 19.
There were 34 players practicing this week. Daniello said he plans to carry 28 players to begin the season. The roster includes Europeans, Canadians and Americans.
The WSHL is an AAU-sanctioned junior hockey league for players 20 and younger. The Rangers — owned by former San Jose Sharks executives Greg and Spencer Jamison — play in the Northwest Division of the 29-team league.
The players must pay $8,000 to play for the Rangers this season.
Daniello and Chad Olson worked to build the roster. Olson, who is no longer with the organization, recruited players from western states and Daniello focused on his East Coast ties. A youth hockey coach in Maine for 14 years, Daniello more recently worked as a consultant for players looking to play junior hockey.
It was at a showcase tournament in Michigan that he met the Jamisons. He said their NHL experience was a big factor in taking the Rangers job.
“I feel like we got a little bit lucky in the time frame we had,” Daniello said of building the roster. “But at the same time we worked really hard, and we were able to find good quality players, good locker room guys and excellent hockey players.”
Daniello said his preferred style of hockey — fast and physical — will fit well in the WSHL.
“One of my goals was to bring in a veteran team,” Daniello said. “I feel good. I feel like the guys would be ready to play tomorrow.”
