Kaufbeuren - Tray Tuomie's debut at ESVK couldn't have gone better, because the new coach achieved the long-awaited first win of the season for the Joker in his first game.
“That was not only important for me, but also for the team.
The guys have invested a lot and have now been rewarded for their hard work, ”says Tuomie, who found a good atmosphere in the team at ESV Kaufbeuren despite the four defeats at the start.
"You can feel that everyone is proud to play here in Kaufbeuren," says the coach.
He too was pleased with his reception.
No breathing space after arrival
After arriving on Monday, the 53-year-old American didn't have much time, because just 24 hours later he was back on the bus to Heilbronn with his new team. "We had a short training session together, but it was more about getting to know each other and that's why we tried to change the processes as little as possible at first," reports Tuomie. Before the trip to the Ostallgäu, he had exciting and entertaining days behind him.
After the first contact with ESVK managing director Michael Kreitl, everything went very quickly for the former trainer of the Augsburg Panthers. “I liked the concept of working with young players at a traditional club,” reports the coach, who after the agreement with the club tried to study as much image material as possible about the team. But much more important for Tuomie are the individual discussions with each player. This is fundamental to building a relationship and mutual trust with them. The experienced coach usually knows how to address them correctly. He sees his philosophy on the ice as a healthy mixture of aggressive ice hockey with pressure to the front, but without neglecting your own defense.
Apart from the ice rink and his office in the stadium, Tuomie has not seen much of his new home. For the first few days he was accompanied by his wife, with whom he lives in Bremerhaven. "Your opinion is very important to me, because over the years she had cut back a lot for my job and had to sort things out by herself at home," says Tuomie with respect. He met his wife at one of his stations in Germany.
“In general, the perspective in a new club is very important to me and that I can work well,” reports the coach, who got to know the ESVK in his first days as a family club.
“Kaufbeuren is still a classic ice hockey location, you can smell it when you walk into the stadium,” reports the coach, indulging in nostalgia.
In his new role as coach of ESV Kaufbeuren, he would like to be part of this team.
“I don't want to be the center of attention, the team is the most important thing,” says the trainer.
He describes himself as a communicative person.
The likeable sportsman will not have much time for other hobbies for the time being, but he has decided to do one or two jogging laps or swing the tennis racket.
ESVK meets Bayreuth Tigers
Tray Tuomie and the Joker will be dealing with the next points on Friday evening (after the editorial deadline) at the Bayreuth Tigers and on Sunday at 5 p.m. there will be his home premiere against the Lausitzer Füchse.
Thomas Schreiber