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Health & Fitness

Don Elland Offers Fresh Voice to Plymouth Whalers' Winning Tradition

When Plymouth Whalers owner Peter Karmanos looked for a head coach to replace Mike Vellucci, he took a different path than the Detroit Tigers, Kingston Frontenacs or New York Knicks.

While Brad Ausmus, Paul McFarland and Derek Fisher came to their new teams with no head coaching experience, Karmanos promoted from within, choosing Don Elland.

Elland paid his dues, coaching in the Compuware Youth program before joining the Whalers as an assistant coach four years ago.

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“These days, it’s usually the latest and greatest that’s gets the opportunity,” Elland said. “So it was nice to be rewarded for putting in the time.  I’ve worked here for a long time and learned a lot from good people. I’m simply thankful that Mr. Karmanos thought enough of me to give me a shot.”

There is logic to the hire.  

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As an assistant coach in Plymouth, Elland was influential in player development.  When a player stayed on the ice after practice to work on individual skills, Elland was the coach who spent time on the ice with that player. After the Whalers complete a season, ice is still available for the team.  Elland oversees most of the sessions.  

If anyone knows what makes the returning Whalers tick, it’s Elland.

“I think I have some currency built up,” Elland said of the returning Whalers.  “They know me and I know them.  There’s certainly a different dynamic as the head coach.  I’ve watched a lot of our players grow up as the came in here – much like myself, a little apprehensive when they got here, not sure what to expect.”

Elland appreciates the work of his players.

“To watch our guys grow up has been very satisfying – not only on the ice, but off the ice,” he said.  “I have had a small hand in helping then, in molding them – but just a small part.  It’s been all them and their work and their time in."

Elland was asked what he liked about last season’s team, which improved over the second half to make the playoffs.

"We had a great group,” he said. “(I liked) how young they were last year and how hard they worked. We weren’t the best team (in the league) last year, but there were very few nights where Mike came into the room and thought we got outworked.  We may have been out-talented or out-experienced, but very few times last year did we get outworked.”

Moving forward, Elland and everyone else looks for improved performances from several returning players.  

”I don’t consider him a young guy, but I think Connor Chatham will improve,” Elland said. “I look for bigger numbers from him.  I think the last half of the last season, Frankie Vilardi was outstanding, and so I think his numbers will improve.

“But the two youngest guys I think will improve, that have the most upside, is Cullen Mercer and Bryce Yetman.  I think those two will make a big jump.”

Elland smiled as he spoke about Vince Scognamiglio, who didn’t play much last season until Christmas and then rarely left the Whalers lineup afterwards.

“All credit to Vince, because he didn’t get a chance early on,” Elland said  “When we were shuffling guys in and out of the lineup due to injuries or they weren’t playing well, everybody got a shot.  But he was one guy who really took advantage of the opportunity.  Once he got in the last half of the year, he never came out unless he was injured.  He knew the role that Mike wanted him to play and he played it to a tee.  

“Vince gets under everybody’s skin, and I think there’s some sneaky upside to his game.  He’s one of the guys that (in time) his numbers won’t go crazy, but I think with more ice time and become more part of the team, his role will get bigger – not necessarily with points, but it will evolve more.”

Looking at this season, Elland looks towards veteran defenseman Gianluca Curcuruto, who starts this season as an overage free-agent after Columbus Blue Jackets decided not to sign him.

“I’ve spoken with Gianluca and he says he’s in the best shape of his life and can’t wait to prove everybody wrong,” Elland said.  “I think he has the chance to have a great year.  We look for big things from him – not that we didn’t get a lot from him before, because he’s been an integral part of our success and was great with the young guys last year.  I know he’s going to come in with a chip on his shoulder."

Another key player for the Whalers in 2014-15?  Matt Mistele, who scored 34 goals two seasons ago and 18 last season.

“If Misty’s not back to 34-36 goals, I’ll be shocked,” Elland said. “I think last year was an anomaly and a million reasons fell into that.  He’s too good he works too hard and is too skilled.  I’ll be shocked if his numbers don’t go back to where they were two years ago.”

While Curcuruto takes one overage spot, Elland was asked if he has a shopping list for other kinds of players.

“We were offensively challenged last year, but I think we’ll get better this year, because all of our guys will be a year older,” he said.  “I’d like to find a point-guy who can help us offensively – an older guy, as we need two overages. If we can clone Carter Sandlak and get him in year like we did last year, that would be ideal.

“Sandlak was a great leader and great two-way player who put up goals, but didn’t sacrifice anything else.  Those kinds of guys are hard to find and we were lucky to get him.”

Elland was asked if he has a message for the fans.

“We’re going to work and play hard – those are traits of Mike’s teams and we aren’t going to change in that area,” he said. “I hope the fans are patient.  It’s going to take a little while to get started. Although I’ve been here for four years, it’s a new season and there’s going to be a little bit of an adjustment.  

“But I think you’re going to see a team that works hard every night, plays hard every night.  If things don’t go our way, it won’t be because we’re outworked.

“We’re going to be a hard-working team.  I am going to demand that, but I know I don’t have to demand it, they’ll give it.  We’re going to be fun to watch, we’re going to be exciting, and we’re going to play aggressive.”

FIND THE WHALERS AWAY FROM THE SPORTS PAGES:  Plymouth Whalers general manager Mark Craig will be profiled in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press by business writer Carol Cain.  The article will appear in the Michigan Business section of the Free Press.

Craig and Whalers Director of Communications Pete Krupsky will appear on “Michigan Matters” (hosted by Cain) this Sunday at 11:30 am on WWJ-TV Channel 62.

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