Jackets learn from coach’s ingenuity in drills to sharpen their craft
by Alison Lukan AlisonL / BlueJackets.com
In the world of hockey, what do you do if you want to improve your shot? Or master the ability to deflect the puck? Or gain more skill with the puck? If you are a Blue Jacket player, you work with assistant coach, Kenny McCudden.
“He’s been a great resource for us,” Jack Johnson said. “Guys want to feel sharp with their skills and you don’t always get to work on that during practice. Skills are the game within the game. If you don’t feel like you’re sharp at your craft and handling the puck, your confidence is low, so to have Kenny for that has been great.”
McCudden joined the Jackets in 2015 after working as the skating and skills coach for the AHL Chicago Wolves for 16 years. The Chicago native also worked with numerous players at various camps and he provided individual instruction for NHL players who sought him out.
“He understands the personalities of an NHL player,” John Tortorella said. “He’s dealt with a lot of these guys for a number of years. They look to (McCudden) to talk to about certain things about their game. He’s not as threatening in certain situations and they can look to him for help. He’s a big part of our hockey club.”
And many of the Jackets do.
